Tweet
Welcome to a midweek match thread and on Thursday we welcome the high flying Bantams to the New York Stadium.
Bradford are currently enjoying an excellent start to their L1 campaign after promotion from L2 last season. And, as league leaders and top-scorers, they will undoubtedly present a difficult challenge for the Millers on Thursday under the lights at the NYS.
The Boss
Graham Alexander took the hotseat at Valley Parade on 6/11/2023. The former Scottish International defender has had mixed fortunes in his managerial career, although he does have two promotions to his name. In 2019 he led Salford to promotion from the National League via the play-offs and, in his first full season in charge, he steered Bradford to promotion from L2.
Player(s) to watch
Will Swan is a player to look out for on Thursday. Not a prolific striker by any means (according to his record) but City fans seem to be positive about his all round game. That said, he has 6 goals in all competitions so far. It'll be interesting to see how we handle him.
In form Bobby Pointon is another player to watch on Thursday evening. The 21 year old attacking midfielder has 5 league goals to his name already this season.
They played for both clubs
Ritchie Smallwood, Ian Banks, Jamie Proctor, David Ball.
Away Form
Bradford knocked out two Championship clubs in their recent EFL Cup exploits. They beat both Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers away from home, before losing away at Newcastle.
Recent (away) results in the league:
Cardiff 1 v 3 Bradford (most recent)
Doncaster 3 v 1 Bradford
Peterborough 1 v 1 Bradford
Stockport 1 v 2 Bradford
Northampton 0 v 0 Bradford
Latest Odds
Millers 23/10
Bradford 21/20
Draw 23/10
(SkyBet)
Recent Meetings
(EFL Trophy) Rotherham 0 v 1 Bradford(4/2/2025)
(EFL Trophy) Bradford 0 v1 Rotherham(19/112024)
(L1) Rotherham 2 v 0 Bradford (23/01/2018)
(Michael Smith, Joe Newell)
Summary
In form Bradford will provide a stern test on Thursday in front of the SkyTV cameras. I fear the worst. A low home attendance and a resounding defeat is very much the expectation amongst most Millers supporters. It most certainly isn't the fixture, under pressure Matt Hamshaw would have chosen.
However, we do have some things to be positive about. Lenny is back, we have a midfield which is pretty much fully fit and the likelihood of either Etete or Sherif playing a part should give everyone a much needed boost. Injuries have definitely eased and we're now getting to a point where excuses need to stop and the players and manager need to show what they can do. Let's hope for a positive outcome for the Millers on Thursday evening.
Enjoy the game everyone and UTM
Bradford are currently enjoying an excellent start to their L1 campaign after promotion from L2 last season. And, as league leaders and top-scorers, they will undoubtedly present a difficult challenge for the Millers on Thursday under the lights at the NYS.
The Boss
Graham Alexander took the hotseat at Valley Parade on 6/11/2023. The former Scottish International defender has had mixed fortunes in his managerial career, although he does have two promotions to his name. In 2019 he led Salford to promotion from the National League via the play-offs and, in his first full season in charge, he steered Bradford to promotion from L2.
Player(s) to watch
Will Swan is a player to look out for on Thursday. Not a prolific striker by any means (according to his record) but City fans seem to be positive about his all round game. That said, he has 6 goals in all competitions so far. It'll be interesting to see how we handle him.
In form Bobby Pointon is another player to watch on Thursday evening. The 21 year old attacking midfielder has 5 league goals to his name already this season.
They played for both clubs
Ritchie Smallwood, Ian Banks, Jamie Proctor, David Ball.
Away Form
Bradford knocked out two Championship clubs in their recent EFL Cup exploits. They beat both Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers away from home, before losing away at Newcastle.
Recent (away) results in the league:
Cardiff 1 v 3 Bradford (most recent)
Doncaster 3 v 1 Bradford
Peterborough 1 v 1 Bradford
Stockport 1 v 2 Bradford
Northampton 0 v 0 Bradford
Latest Odds
Millers 23/10
Bradford 21/20
Draw 23/10
(SkyBet)
Recent Meetings
(EFL Trophy) Rotherham 0 v 1 Bradford(4/2/2025)
(EFL Trophy) Bradford 0 v1 Rotherham(19/112024)
(L1) Rotherham 2 v 0 Bradford (23/01/2018)
(Michael Smith, Joe Newell)
Summary
In form Bradford will provide a stern test on Thursday in front of the SkyTV cameras. I fear the worst. A low home attendance and a resounding defeat is very much the expectation amongst most Millers supporters. It most certainly isn't the fixture, under pressure Matt Hamshaw would have chosen.
However, we do have some things to be positive about. Lenny is back, we have a midfield which is pretty much fully fit and the likelihood of either Etete or Sherif playing a part should give everyone a much needed boost. Injuries have definitely eased and we're now getting to a point where excuses need to stop and the players and manager need to show what they can do. Let's hope for a positive outcome for the Millers on Thursday evening.
Enjoy the game everyone and UTM
Comment