It’s been quite a start to the season hasn’t it? Edginess after a fairly slow start and a cup exit, a number of draws, a lot of good passing football, a mysterious drone, a rejuvenated looking Mark Marshall, an unfortunate steward clobbered by a typically off-target Bradford City shot, a few glances over the way to see how Phil Parkinson’s Bolton are getting on, and 11 games unbeaten. As things start to settle down and take shape, perhaps we’re wrong to be looking westwards to PP and his band of not-so-merry men and should instead focus on things further east, notably over in Scunthorpe, where a certain Josh Morris is banging goals in for fun.
With 35 league games still to go, there’s a hell of lot to unfold yet and much we still don’t know. Some things, however appear crystal clear…
1. Mark Marshall is better than Jesus at comebacks
Resurrected or what? This comeback makes the late Jesus Christ’s look positively tame and he had a whole book written about it, not a mere mention in a football blog. Last season, Mark Marshall was the forgotten man. This year he’s terrifying full backs and unleashing that cannon of a shot on unsuspecting goalkeepers. The final ball into the box could be more consistent, but there’s nothing much better in football than watching a wide man in City colours tear his opponent to pieces. We’ve enjoyed a fine tradition of great wide men at VP over the years, and how wonderful it would be to see another emerge in Mark Marshall.
2. We should thank PP
He achieved so much at Bradford City. He got us promoted. He gave us unbelievable memories. He returned the feel good factor. He changed the club. And then he left. It wasn’t pretty, but leave he did. Thing is, he left at just the right time. As a result of his exit, the club has had to change again, but all the signs show we are changing for the better. A hero has come back and is treating us to a new, expressive style of football that will guarantee bums on seats come five to three on a Saturday afternoon, and see those same bums off those same seats with excitement once the game kicks off. This season is providing much more entertainment for the bumper VP crowds, and that was much needed. We still have the PP-inspired grit but now there’s added sparkle too. So, for that, cheers Phil.
3. Passing football > Hoofball
This new style of football is much better to watch, and it’s not just our fans saying that. The players themselves seem to be enjoying the new playing style and have made various utterances in public to suggest so. The last few years have seen Bradford City play in a way that was somewhat effective but somewhat agricultural. The new approach, whilst overdone at times and occasionally likely to get us into a spot of bother through over-complicating things, is far more pleasing on the eye than the repeated lumps up the park of yesteryear. Meanwhile, it has to be said, those lumps up the park don’t seem to be going down too well in Bolton currently.
4. Refs seem to like us more
A controversial observation, but the refs have generally been better so far this season. In the past few years we’ve had a procession of clowns officiating Bradford City games, many of them absolutely hell-bent on giving us nothing. This season has seen a marked improvement, and I can only pray that remains the case.
5. James Meredith deserves an international call up, and his own proper chant
Probably the Player of the Season for me so far. Mezza has been up and down that flank like a man possessed. Sound at the back and a revelation going forward, you can see why Greg Leigh moved on. James Meredith has that position sewn up, and if there’s a better left back in League One then he deserves his own chant too. He also deserves a pat on the back because being better than James Meredith means he’s a bloody fine footballer.
6. Billy Clarke is back
It has taken a while, but the Billy Clarke who ran Sunderland of the Premier League ragged almost two years ago is back. Injuries, missing sharpness, a lack of confidence and an apparent unease with the set up have all seemed to hold Billy back in recent times. Towards the end of last season at Coventry, he looked lost and the away crowd had started to get on his back. I feared for his future at the club. In the past few games Billy Clarke has looked back to his best. Clever, tricky, a nightmare to pick up and blessed with a superb footballing brain – we can only benefit from having our number 10 back to his best.
7. Romain Vincelot makes many people purr
I’ve heard it a few times now. Out on the park, Monsieur Vincelot does something in a very suave and composed fashion, say bring the ball down under pressure, hold off an opponent with ease, and then pop off a cute little pass. Up in the Kop, it’s barely audible but you can hear it if you listen carefully. It’s a breathless growl ‘Oh, Romain Vincelot’. I’ve murmured it myself and everyone around me smiled and wholeheartedly agreed.
8. The big size 11 boot is on the other foot
Oldham at home a few weeks back was the type of game we’re likely to see a lot of this season. We are used to being the big strong side that bullied teams, but that is no longer the case. We are now the side that want to get the ball down and play. With some smaller players in our ranks, expect to see teams comprised of massive units riding into town with simple intentions. Batter us into submission through tough tackling, slow the game down to upset our rhythm, and then launch set pieces towards the big lads who’ve been sent into our box to cause trouble. We have to get wise to that.
9. West Ham have my undying thanks
Josh Cullen skips around the midfield pulling the strings, switching play, breaking things up and generally showing us why he’ll play in the Premier League one day. He’s a few milliseconds ahead of most of his opponents. That we have him back this season is a coup, and I’ll happily purchase everyone who got that deal over the line an ale from the Record Café or the Sparrow.
10. This is all very good but… we are still incredibly wasteful
Everything looks pretty rosy. A strong squad. Good football. Second in the league. Unbeaten. You can’t help but wonder where we would be if started converting all the possession, good positions and chances. I am sure the squad spends a lot of time practicing finishing, but practice most certainly is not making perfect in that regard. As a football fan you can never have it all – even if you’re a megalomaniac Russian with billions in the bank – but it would be great to see City finishing teams off with a bit more cutting edge.
11. These are great times for Yorkshire clubs
Town sitting at the top of the Championship. Wednesday lurking near the playoffs. Leeds in the top half of the league, with a long-standing manager of four months. Barnsley equipping themselves well in the Championship, alleged dodgy dealings involving ex-City players aside. Us looking good in second place in League One and The Blades fourth. Only Rotherham, rock bottom of the Championship, seem intent on letting the side down at the moment. It’s a weirdly successful start to the season for most Yorkshire sides – and if that’s a trend that is required to keep us up there come May – then bring it on.
@jpieslak
