MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford City
Last updated : 18 September 2009 By Jaybee
Barnet entertain Bradford City at Underhill tomorrow in a League Two match. In the last two seasons, Barnet have won both the home fixtures against the Bantams and drawn both of the matches at Valley Parade. Last season's game at Underhill was, in many ways, a turning point in Barnet's season, being their first win of the year and the team playing so well in defeating City 4-1. From being in danger of relegation, the win set the Bees on the road to safety. For the Bantams, it seemed to have the opposite affect as they went from bring play-off contenders to a side that ended missing out on any chance of going up.
Bradford City were relegated to League Two in 2007 and in their first season, they finished 10th, going one better last season as they finished 9th. The bantams are managed by Stuart McCall, who is an ambitious young manager but he is under pressure from the Bradford fans who, having seen their side play in the Premiership only eight years ago, are, understandably, impatient for the club to start moving up the divisions again.
City are currently placed 12th in League Two with 11 points from 7 matches, but are only a point outside the play-offs and only three points below 4th placed Barnet. The Bantams got off to a terrible start to the season, losing 5-0 away at Notts County on the opening day of the season. They then drew 0-0 at home to Port Vale and lost 2-0 at home to Lincoln City. However, after this poor start, their season turned round, with a win in a nine goal thriller at Cheltenham, the Bantams coming out on top 5-4. They followed this win with three more wins in a row; a 2-0 home win over Torquay, a 2-1 win at Rochdale in the Johnstone's Paint trophy and a win at Shrewsbury, by the same score. Last Saturday, they were held at home 1-1 by league newcomers, Burton Albion. So the Bantams come to Underhill having won their last three away matches in a row. City went out of the Carling Cup in the 1st round, losing 3-0 at Nottingham Forest.
Bradford have brought in quite a few new faces over the summer, including some players who are experiencing first team league football for the first time. Young keeper, Simon Eastwood has been brought in on loan from Huddersfield Town and he has been a regular starter in the side so far this season. In defence, centre back, Steve Williams has been plucked from Unibond League club, Bamber Bridge, while the former Rochdale right back, Simon Ramsden brings some experience to the defence as well.
In midfield, Scott Neilson has come from Southern League club, Cambridge City and another young player, James O'Brien has joined after being released by Birmingham City. Michael Flynn has joined from Huddersfield to give experience to the midfield.
Up front, the prolific Macclesfield striker, Gareth Evans arrived in the summer and he has carried on at Valley Parade just as he left off at Moss Rose. He has been joined by young striker, James Hanson, another player signed from the Unibond League, in this case, from Guiseley. He has been given his chance in place of the injured Peter Thorne, who will miss the game at Underhill tomorrow. Midfield player, Steven O'Leary misses out as well due to a toe injury, but defender, Michael Clarke and striker, Michael Boulding are back after being out through illness. Winger, Omar Daly is out until at least November with a knee injury.
Barnet will be without striker, Paul Furlong who is suspended fro one match having received five yellow cards already this season and the Bees leading scorer this season, Jake Hyde will play alongside John O'Flynn up front. Meanwhile, winger Albert Adomah is doubtful for tomorrow's match having broken his nose at Macclesfield last Saturday. Adomah is expected to have an x-ray on his nose next week and may have to settle for a place on the bench tomorrow. If he does miss out then it's almost certain that Yannick Bolasie will replace him on the right wing with Albert Jarrett coming in on the left.
In defence, Gary Breen is still out with a knee injury and fellow centre back, Daniel Leach is doubtful for tomorrow's game and Ian Hendon is likely to stick with the same defence that has played so well lately with League Two player of the month, Ismail Yakubu holding things together at the back.
Both teams are in form right now with the bantams having taken 7 points from their last three league matches, plus winning 2-1 at Rochdale in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and the Bees having taken 13 points from their last five league matches as well as having knocked League One, Millwall out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
However, there's no doubt that the Bees will miss Paul Furlong tomorrow and Albert Adomah too if he misses out. Bradford City are on form at the moment, but so are the Bees and Barnet Mad are predicting a 1-1 draw at Underhill tomorrow.
