Bradford survive

Tuesday 5th September.

“Win this one for Clyde” was Steve Bruce’s rallying call prior to the second leg of the Worthington Cup clash against Oldham Athletic. Sorry Clyde, but your colleagues obviously don’t give a toss if tonight’s inept display is anything to go by.

Steve Bruce recently described the Crystal Palace game as the worst of his tenure, but it’s a shame that he didn’t have the benefit of a little more foresight as the dire performance against supposedly inferior opposition tonight eclipsed the Palace game. Chris Hay was given a start alongside Martin Smith in front of a midfield comprising Chris Beech, Dean Gorré, Ben Thornley and David Beresford. I don’t know where Kenny Irons was but the midfield couldn’t provide any worthwhile service to the front two, and Chris Hay who I once thought might be a bargain looked totally ineffective. It’s going to be a long winter if tonight’s showing was anything to go by and we haven’t even put the clocks back yet!

They played like a team devoid of ideas or commitment and against an Oldham side short on talent but full of industry and running they looked severely second best. Even Dean Gorré, back from injury had one of his less effective games being hustled out of his creative best.

The Oldham goals came in the 40th and 65th minutes both from Dewsbury born Paul Rickers, the first courtesy of some inept defending from Jamie Vincent. Town’s left back was caught in possession on the edge of the penalty area, Neil Adams provided a super cross easily headed past Nico Vaesen from 6 yards out by Rickers. The striker killed the game off in the 65th minute when he powerfully drove the ball home from the edge of the penalty area following confusion in Town’s defence after an Oldham free kick.

I think that many of the crowd knew at half time that it would be our last involvement in the Worthington Cup this year, as the team has yet to score in the second half of any competitive fixture this season. That’s 270 minutes (plus stoppage time) without notching after the interval and this is simply not good enough.

Some comfort could be drawn from the fact that Bradford suffered a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United, but this is cold comfort.

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