A Reality Check at Valley Parade as Bradford City lose out against the league leaders 

Written by Lee Pasquariello

In football, it’s often the six-pointers where the season is defined. Today’s match at Valley Parade felt like exactly that, a chance to prove ourselves at the top of the table and that we truly belong there. But instead of a statement win the total opposite happened, a 2-1 reality check against a strong Cardiff team that showed us exactly how clinical you need to be to be at the top end of the table.

The first half – a tough start

Before the game kicked off, the entire ground came together for a minutes applause to remember the late Terry Yorath. It was a very special moment, as he was a man who was well respected as manager of both of these clubs.  

On the team sheet this afternoon it was a  great sight to see Bobby Pointon back in the mix. He is absolutely crucial to this team, and he’s a player who we have missed in recent games.  

On the pitch however, City couldn’t get going. There were very few chances as Cardiff’s defence held firm, and eventually their quality showed in the 14^th minute. It was from a quick counter attack that caught the City players completely off guard. By the time the players got back, attacking midfielder David Turnbull was on the edge of the box and he fooled 2 of the City players who slid in, ended up on the ground while he stayed composed and picked out a superb strike into the top corner, which left goalkeeper Sam Walker no chance to save it. It was a brilliant goal, but it was a shame to see us get turned over so easily.  

The first half got even worse after this. Ten minutes later Cardiff’s lead was doubled. They played a short corner which once again caught us off guard and then a cross came in, and ex Aston Villa and Arsenal man Calum Chambers got the final touch. It was a complete sucker punch from City’s perspective, a type of goal where you wonder how he’s managed to have so much space in the box.  

At the other end, our main tactic was a long ball from Sam Walker or the defenders, to Will Swan, but nothing at all was sticking. He looked completely isolated against Cardiff’s defence and there were not many options for him to pick a pass or play so he struggled. Because of this, it wasn’t really a surprise that he was hooked at half time for Humphrys as we really needed a different approach if we were to get anything out of this match.  

Right on half time City had a huge shout for a penalty when Antoni Sarcevic appeared to be tripped by one of the Cardiff defenders, but the referee chose not to give it. I think it was 50/50 though, as sometimes these tackles are given and sometimes they are not.  

The second half- Having a good go 

Whatever was said at half time seemed to work to an extent because we came out with a different energy. Graham Alexander made two changes, bringing on Stephen Humphrys and Louie Sibley in place of Will Swan and Tyreik Wright, and we seemed to somewhat change our approach. Instead of relying purely on the long ball, we started moving it shorter and quicker on the pitch, which suited the likes of Humphrys a bit better because of his pace.  

Sibley looked okay at times. He showed glimpses of what he can do in terms of going forward, though a with a couple of heavy touches and misplaced passes it shows he is very much a player still finding his feet. However in this game he was playing in an unfamiliar left wing-back role instead of his usual central role, so I feel it was always going to be a difficult afternoon for him. He worked hard though, and I feel with more match minutes in his normal position he could be a useful option for us.  

The biggest talking point early on in this second half was a huge chance for Humphrys. After a fantastic surge forward from Josh Neufville, the ball was crossed into him and from 6 yards out Humphrys skies it into the top tier of the stand behind the goal. 

Even now at the time of writing this blog I’m still in absolute disbelief as to how he missed. If this chance goes in then it’s a totally different game. Humphrys had a few half chances as well after this, but it’s an issue I’ve written in a previous blog, his decision making needs improvement. For example he should look for a pass sometimes instead of going for glory himself every time he gets a sight at goal.  

City kept pushing and throwing everything at it, and then in the 59th minute we manage to pull a goal back. It started from a short corner to Sibley, who’s cross was headed out by a Cardiff defender but only as far as Neufville on the edge of the box.  Neufville then played a simple pass to Jenson Metcalfe who was standing next to him, and Metcalfe hit it first time to find the top corner. It was almost like a replica of the goal he scored against Port Vale, a truly beautiful strike that dragged us into the game and it even made the atmosphere around the ground pick up even more.  

Looking for an equaliser, debuts were handed out to Newcastle United duo Harrison Ashby and Joe White, in place of Bobby Pointon and Josh Neufville. I felt they actually linked up really well down the right hand side. Ashby in particular looked very sharp with a lovely first touch and good range of passing, and he could have made an instant impact as soon as he came on, with an effort that was deflected off a Cardiff defender for a corner.  

However despite the fresh energy and a louder Valley Parade, we struggled to create another clear chance. Cardiff showed exactly why they are top of the league and in my opinion are very likely to win League One this season. They stayed organised, managed the clock and professionally saw the game out.  

Final thoughts  

It’s always a massive disappointment when your team loses at home, especially when the first half was as poor and flat as today’s was. Giving the league leaders a two goal head start is always going to make your afternoon a hell of a lot harder. However, we can take some positives from that second half.  We showed that when we have a go and attack teams we can actually compete with anyone in this league, and on another day, especially with the effort shown there’s every chance we come away with a point.  

The big talking point off the pitch this week revolves around the transfer window. After loaning out club legend and fourth all time goalscorer Andy Cook to League Two Grimsby, it’s clear and obvious that City need to go all out and sign a proven goalscorer this month. Although we saw with Metcalfe’s long range strike and we can still create chances, we still need more work in the forward line if we are to finish teams off.  

The Bantams now have seven days to put things right as the next game is the big one which everyone on both sides will be up for. Huddersfield Town away, in the second of four 12.30pm Saturday kick-offs in a row.  

Huddersfield are somehow still in the playoffs despite their very poor league form and the toxicity around the club stemming from their manager Lee Grant. It will be interesting to see if anything develops there this week with Grant, as in the last few minutes they’ve just lost 3-1 to ex City manager Gary Bowyer’s Burton.  

If we can take the second half intensity from this game to next week it will surely be an interesting battle and hopefully we will be able to get our season back on track