The
Bantams travel to Gresty road on Saturday aiming to end their recent barren
streak which has seen them take only a point from the available twelve.
However
it is not all doom and gloom at present for City as recent performances on the whole
have not been bad. Last Saturday’s home defeat to big spending Wolves is one
example where the Bantams matched and even bettered their illustrious opponents
for large periods without getting the rewards their efforts deserved.
It
is unlikely that Phil Parkinson will be panicked into making wholesale changes
as in reality there isn’t much wrong. The return to action of one of the
division’s hottest properties in Nahki Wells will also give City fans great
cause for optimism.
Wells
who played the entirety of the second half against Wolves after a recent ankle
injury, showed no signs of rustiness as he helped to cause problems to the
visitors backline with his movement and ability. The Bermudian had several
chances and was unlucky in particular with one effort that flashed across goal,
which was begging to be tapped in at the far post by a team-mate.
In
midfield the rise to prominence of Italian Raffa De Vita also poses selection
problems as the winger has bagged both an assist and goal in the time he has
spent on the pitch against two top league one teams in Preston and Wolves.
Whilst
not possessing the pace of Garry Thompson, De Vita poses different kinds of
problems with his skill and close control with 8 goals for Swindon last season
he also has a goal threat.
Thompson
seems to be replicating his start to the 12/13 season where he also started off
slowly; hopefully he will end the current season in the same vain he did last,
where he was outstanding.
If
De Vita shakes off his hamstring injury, expect him to line up on the right of
midfield accompanying mainstays Doyle, Jones and Reid as the fulcrum of the
side.
The
defence will consist of Darby, Meredith, Bates and Mcardle who will be hoping
to gain a much needed clean sheet as the defence acclimatises to the huge loss
of the warrior like figure of Andrew Davies.
Up
front hopefully Wells will be fit enough to start and reignite his excellent
understanding with James Hanson who not for the first time this season was
picked out by last week’s opposing manager for praise both before and after the
game.
The
front two are so unchallenged by the rest of the striking back up that both
Alan Connell and Andy Gray have both being made available for loan joining
Ricky Ravehill on the players soon to depart Valley Parade list.
Make
no mistake that Saturday’s game is not an easy game but it is a very winnable
one and City fans are left hoping that the team can get back to winning ways by
quarter to five on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment