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But after Tuesday nights 2-1 home loss to Gillingham, doubts are creeping into the Town ranks to whether the early season good form can continue, or will Town repeat the terrific comeback they made against a Stockport side whom opposition Bradford lost to 4-2 at home in the week.
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The Story So Far
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| Town | Bradford |
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Town's last few games have had room for improvement. After a great start to the season that saw the Mariners top of the table, the last four games in the league have not brought a win, and after leaking 13 goals in five games, Town will be looking for an improved performance at the back. Still, this is a worthy achievement for a club that have spent so little and a squad that has seen only 19 senior players being used all season. But now that injuries and suspensions will start taking their toll, Lennie Lawrence will be expected to make one or two more additions to the squad, all likely to be the result of his arranged Scouting trip of Scandanavia.
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Bradford have had a similar start to Town since their return to the first division, winning four games, drawing two and loosing three of their opening nine games. It was all going reasonably well beating Barnsley (4-0), Portsmouth (1-0) Coventry (2-1) and Gillingham (5-1). But the last two games have resulted in two losses for the Bantams. A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last week was followed up by a surprising 4-2 loss at home to winless Stockport County. With injury problems piling up for manager Jim Jefferies, his squad is now down to the bare bones and has been dealt with further blows this week with the news that Wayne Jacobs and midfielder Gary Locke could miss Saturdays game. A win against Town at Valley Parade this weekend is imperative in order to keep in touch with the divisions high flyers.
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Recent Form
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| Town | Bradford |
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| L | Stockport | (h) | 2-4 |
| L | Forest | (a) | 0-1 |
| D | Sheff Wed cup | (a) | 1-1 |
| W | Gillingham | (h) | 5-1 |
| W | Rotherham | (h) | 4-0 (CUP) |
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Overall League Record
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Leading Goalscorers (League + Cup)
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| Town | Bradford |
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| Jevons | 3 |
| Rowan | 3 |
| Jeffrey | 2 |
| Pouton | 2 |
| Allen | 2 |
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| Carbone | 4 |
| Jess | 4 |
| Tod | 4 |
| Blake | 3 |
| Ward | 3 |
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Town Team News
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Striker Phil Jevons is not fit enough to travel to Bradford after coming off at half time against Gillingham. He will be replaced by Michael Jeffrey.
Marlon Broomes will probably drop to the bench, meaning that David Beherall will get his chance at the back, after missing out in the week.
John Mcdermott will be out for 3-6 months with a ruptured calf injury, and his role will have to be filled by Danny Butterfield, whom has recently been playing in midfield.
After injury to Menno Willems, a midfield slot has now become vacant. Alan Pouton could move to the centre, with Stuart Campbell switching to the right flank, meaning a debut for former Mansfield player Michael Boulding.
Alternatively, Lennie Lawrence could go 5-3-2, with Marlon Broomes, David Beherall and Paul Groves as the defensive three, and Danny Butterfield and Tony Gallimore as the wing backs.
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Bradford Team News
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The Bantams ever growing injury list has grown further this week with long serving left back Wayne Jacobs and Gary Locke picking up groin and ankle injuries. They are rated 50/50 for the clash, but could may well make it onto the bench.
If they don't make it then Lee Makel and Jamie Lawrence will be recalled to the lineup after coming on as substitutes in the week.
Still the Bantams have Lee Sharpe, Peter Atherton, Ashleyward, Andy Tod and Robert Molenaar on the treatment table.
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Expected Line Ups
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| Town | Bradford |
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Danny Coyne
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| After much debate and criticism from Town fans, Coyne has eventually been called up to the Wales squad for their next game against Belarus. A deserved achievement for Towns most consistent performer. |
| Danny Butterfield |
| Played in the midfield for all of this season, but is likely to have to play right back for most of the season now that defender John McDermott has been ruled out for 3-6 months. |
| Tony Gallimore |
| Experienced left back signed from Carlisle in 1996, who has become Towns first choice left back and now an ever important member of Towns usually strong back four.
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Paul Groves (c)
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| The lynchpin of the Town defence, Groves’ performances have been of the highest standards this season, once again. |
| David Beherall |
| Expected to be recalled to the lineup in place of Marlon Broomes. On loan defender from Newcastle who has formed a solid defensive partnership with Paul Groves. |
Stuart Campbell
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| Former Leicester City midfielder who despite being a naturally right footed player, plays down the left. He may eventually make the transition to the right hand side on Saturday now that Menno Willems has been ruled out.
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Alan Pouton
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| Tigerish midfielder who may well get his chance to play in his preferred role of central midfield on Saturday after an injury to Dutch star Menno Willems. |
| Wayne Burnett |
| Creative midfielder whose passing skills add a different dimension to the Mariners style of play. A crowd favourite signed from Huddersfield in 1998 for £100,000 |
Michael Boulding
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| Amazingly quick striker who made his debut as a sub against Stockport last week. His introduction immediately lead to a goal, and will be hoping to make his debut down the left.
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| Mike Jeffrey |
| Not exactly a fans favourite, but a player whose recent performances have given Lennie Lawrence an extra option up front, putting in some very impressive displays. |
Johnny Rowan
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| Burst onto the scene with two goals this season, proving that he has made the transition from being a regular reserve player to a first team player, with ease. |
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Gary Walsh
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| Former Manchester United goalkeeper who after signing a few years ago from Middlesbrough, displaced crowd favourite Matt Clarke as City's number one keeper. |
| Gunnar Halle |
| Former Leeds and Oldham right back who joined the Bantams in a deal with former Leeds team mate Lee Sharpe back in 1999 for £300,000. Now a regular in City's starting 11.
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| Lee Makel |
| Played under manager Jim Jefferies at Hearts and has joined Bradford on a short term deal to cover for the horrendous injury problems at Valley Parade. |
David Wetherall
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| Ex-Leeds captain whose experience and commitment is a vital factor in the solidity of Bradford's defence. Dubbed "one of the brainiest players in football" after collecting a degree.
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| Andy Myers |
| Quick and lively player who although was signed to play left back, has often had to play in the centre of defence due to injuries this season. Was signed on a Bosman style transfer from Chelsea whilst they were in the Premiership. |
Eoin Jess
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| Scottish midfielder/forward who signed from Aberdeen in the summer after an impressive loan spell last season. A Scottish international who used to play in England with Coventry. |
| Gareth Whalley |
| Former England Under 21 midfielder who was signed in 1998 from Crewe Alexander. His combative displays in midfield have made Whalley a regular so far this season. |
Stuart Mccall
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| Tough Scottish midfielder formerly of Rangers and Everton who resigned for his old club in 1998, in his first season back he captained the side the won promotion to the Premier league, and is now player/coach. |
| Jamie Lawrence |
| Former Leicester City winger whom is known for his strange hair colours. Could return to the side after coming on as a substitute in the week for the doubtful Gary Locke. |
Benito Carbone
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| Flamboyant Italian signed on a free transfer at the start of last season after rejecting a deal with Aston Villa. Started his career in England with Sheffield Wednesday, and after falling out with Danny Wilson, went to Villa Park. |
| Robert Blake |
| Lively striker who was signed in 1997 from Darlington, scoring many goals to both help Bradford to promotion and keep them up. Was farmed out to Forest on loan last season, and after no deal was struck, he now finds himself as a regular at Bradford. |
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| Subs | Subs |
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| Bradley Allen |
| David Smith |
| Chris Boulder |
| Marlon Broomes |
| Steve Croudson (GK) |
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| Claus Jorgenson |
| Gary Locke |
| Wayne Jacobs |
| Mark Bower |
| Aidan Davison (GK) |
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Last Time Out
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The last time the two sides came head to head was in the 1998/99 season on the 3rd April when the Bantams were battling it out for the remaining automatic promotion spot. That day, Bradford won 3-0 with goals from Robbie Blake (14), Lee Sharpe (76) and Peter Beagrie (now of Scunthorpe) in injury time. That season Bradfored were promoted in 2nd spot, while Town finished a highly credible 11th.
Town: Love, McDermott, Gallimore, Handysdie, Lever, Coldicott, Groves, Donovan, Black, Lester, Nogan.
Subs: Burnett, Ashcroft, Livingstone.
Bradford: Walsh, Todd, Jacobs, McCall, Moore, Westwood, Lawrence, Whalley, Blake, Mills, Beagrie.
Subs: Sharpe, Windass, O'Brien.
Report
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Bradford Head-to-Head
(53rd on The Opposition Ladder).
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Fishy Prediction
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After last week's awful prediction of 0-0 vs Stockport, I must get back onto form. But with Town playing so unpredictably, who can say what the score will be. My heart says 2-1 Town, but my head says 3-0 Bradford! Anything from Bradford will be great, although I have a feeling we could get something. I'll go where my heart takes me and say 2-1 Town.
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