Bradford after game thoughts.

[Derbymiller]

We played some lovely stuff and both our goals were absolute class. We got a point against a very well organised, strong direct L1 team that will be a top 8 team come May. It is clear that MH has a vision and he will push for that every game, unfortunately he is like other managers that won?t change their mind and stick to a so called better type of football (ange, potter and that clown at Rangers) they fail more than succeed and end up getting the push. We could have been down 3-1 at HT if it wasn?t for Dawson and their poor finishing, and that was because they hit it over the defence and our two young centre backs didn?t put it out to touch, instead they tried to play football. I saw clearly from where I sat that our defensive coach was fuming at them, and told them at least 3 times to get rid, they ignored him. Now both me and my son said to each other, one of the kids has to come off at half-time and put jules on with an instruction to keep it simple and not get caught so high. MH got his in game management wrong again, and for both goals our CBs caught caught out with the initial ball over the top and they hesitated or failed to clear first time. I think MH again cost us the win, his inexperience as a manager has shown this season in team selection, formation bigotry and in-game management. I think that is 4 games out of 10 now where we have failed to make a lead into 3 points, dropping 8 points in those games. He needs to learn faster or the results will not improve and he won?t be in the job long enough. We have some lovely young players that are exciting but football is a results business not a theoretical training ground and tactic board business.
I agree about Martha by the way, lovely footballer, great to watch. Rafferty is a true captain as well, play him and James in a 4 for godsake, two very good fullbacks being played out of position.

[avondalemiller]

Well, at last a proper decent game of football. We coped well and played on the front foot. Notable player changes and formation MH should note.
Those keeper errors and naive defending sadly cost a win. Such a shame.
Easily the best we have played at home and deserved a win.
And just who decided dawson was MOTM????? His mum?

It;s the sponsors in the lounge what decide it, and most of them aren't Millers fans so they stay in after H/T and watch it on the TV's, and enjoy the all inclusive package.....hic

[avondalemiller]

I thought in the 1st half, we got caught out with long balls over the top and they were faster to read it than we were.

Please with some of our play but stop giving the ball away needlessly or trying to play football in the wrong places, hoof it, your a defender.

I said that when Humpries and Cook came on that they would be too strong for Baptiste and Lenny, what was he doing for their 2nd goal??? School boy errors. Don't let the ball bounce, out muscled and a goal.....we need an old head in defence to bring these youngs through.

Martha looked brilliant ghosting past players at will..............

[RU66]

Give Douglas a go at Centre back. Agbaire made Baptist look worse cause he was that bad last night. Our threat was on the left James going on the outside we need that on the right. Etete send him back in January Gore wasn't in the game but Hamshaw same with Lenny won't take them off till it's too late cause he doesn't want to be proved wrong signing them. Why have Yearwood & J Holmes on the bench they won't change anything. Chance McGuckin could. Benson looks good if we can keep him fit.

[NorthWestCorner]

Two excellent goals. Great passing and movement and assured finishes.

But……and it’s a big But.

We could and should have been dead and buried in that game. As Ronnie commented on RS, the defending was embarrassing. We escaped because Bradford were poor, not because we deserved it. I counted 6 one on ones with Dawson, who for once deserves credit.

The midfield also needs some work. Again, the lack of an experienced signing in the midfield to control the game and get a grip is costing us. The likes of Benson just don’t have the presence to control a division one match.

You can see why we are not successful away from home and why better teams will pick us off. Lots of work to do and I am still very fearful that because of the defence, MH will perish in the next 3 or 4 games.

Bradford will be middle of the league come the shake up.

[Derbymiller]

Sorry I meant to say the loss of leads in the 4 games has cost us up to 10 points not 8, it was late I was sat with a glass of whiskey .....

[caytonmiller]

This is more that I'm wanting from a millers team.
Great goals. Lovely movement of the ball. Grit in the tackle. pressing. And the odd flair player.
I was surprised Bradford were top of the league as I thought they were very one dimensional and a bit shaky at the back. Though I guess this is league one...
Best game Martha and Dawson have had in a millers shirt.
Our squad looked more solid last night. If we can get 3 or 4 more off the treatment bench we will climb the table.


Negative. We gave the ball away too easily, sometimes in dangerous areas.
I can see why hamshaw left the two kids on at CB. They both had solid games (upto the goals). But as soon as the two big CF came on it was obv we needed a mature CB to carry the team to the end.

Benson was hobbling around hospitality last night which is a shame as I thought he looked a decent prospect on last night's showing

[caytonmiller]

On a few comment. Playing 3 at the back.
Did we not start last night with 4 at the back??
I thought we played
Rafferty agbaird baptiste james
Hall gore Powell Benson
Martha
Etete

[Masbroughstreet]

On a few comment. Playing 3 at the back.
Did we not start last night with 4 at the back??
I thought we played
Rafferty agbaird baptiste james
Hall gore Powell Benson
Martha
Etete

It changed a bit depending if we were in or out of possesion but I think it was meant to be more of a 3-4-2-1?

Rafferty Agbaire Baptiste
Hall Gore Powell James
Martha Benson
Etete

There was lots to be positive last night about but despite being out of form I think Jules has to come back in. Agbaire and Baptiste both have a lot of potential but they're just too inexperienced to be playing side by side and it showed last night. Hamshaw either needs to put somebody experienced in the middle of them both, or just play one of them. And as he's the only one fit, the experienced one will have to be Jules for the time being.

[Scum-Triumphant]

There was plenty to like about the performance. We ran harder than them, the passing game as good, Martha looked dangerous and Powell was very good on the ball.
Lenny and Baptiste were caught out by high balls by letting them bounce and not attacking the ball with any steel.
Baptiste looked like he closed his eyes for the first goal while the striker chested it in and the second should have been whacked into the car park.
I quite like what players like Tiehi offer us in terms of protection and the option to play the easy ball to. We are missing that type of player.
Gore isn?t disciplined to do it, Benson is too fragile. McWilliams maybe?

I would really like to see us start playing with more width as well.

But the priority for now is to stop conceding.

[Townerslovechild]

Good game of football, of which we contributed more than 45 minutes for once !
Some very good performances, Dawson, Martha,Hall and Benson stood out for me, but all played well.
Lenny got caught wrong side a few times and cost us a goal...but he will be a great player for us,still very much learning the game.
As others have said, if Holmes had been in the back 2/3 we would undoubtedly have been stronger.
As Hamshaw keeps saying these young lads need some extra time, and you can include the young manager in that.
But he and they won't get it from some on here.
Well done Millers.

[Edinburghmiller]

Yes, well done Millers. 2 great goals and some very good performances from those already mentioned. I was nervous every time Bradford attacked, probably based on previous poor defensive performances. Just felt that our defence wouldn't hold on and that's what happened, although we did manage to hold on for the draw. Need Jules in with one of the youngsters for the next game. Really looking forward to that, and let's stay positive and get behind MH.

[DK_NY]

There was plenty to like about the performance. We ran harder than them, the passing game as good, Martha looked dangerous and Powell was very good on the ball.
Lenny and Baptiste were caught out by high balls by letting them bounce and not attacking the ball with any steel.
Baptiste looked like he closed his eyes for the first goal while the striker chested it in and the second should have been whacked into the car park.
I quite like what players like Tiehi offer us in terms of protection and the option to play the easy ball to. We are missing that type of player.
Gore isn?t disciplined to do it, Benson is too fragile. McWilliams maybe?

I would really like to see us start playing with more width as well.

But the priority for now is to stop conceding.

I think Yearwood was brought in to be the player you describe. Was really impressed by the 45 mins he played pre season vs the blades with some tough tackling but he’s been poor in first team games and doesn’t look fit. Could surely play 20-30 mins when we have a lead to defend though.
Was surprised Mcwilliams came on in a forward role rather than using his energy in front of the back 3 and pushing Gore or Powell forward.

[MillerBill]

Hopefully more positive reflection.

Overall quite an entertaining game.We played the better football with players who wanted to attack with pace.The two goals we scored were top drawer with a network of clinical passing completely opening up their defence.I thought Martha was a constant menace to them with his pace and desire to go forward with the ball.Powell had a good game with Benson showing his attacking qualities.At the back the two young lads looked very green and we were crying out for a more mature player there.When will Holmes be ready to step in? There is no doubt we have a group of talented players here and when Holmes and Nombe return we will be much much stronger.Bradford looked an old fashioned physical,agressive unit but inferior in skill to us.We will get better and there is a long way to go this season.

[BarnsleyWhites]

I was rather hoping that you’d hang on to that lead last night especially after scoring two really well worked goals but in fairness Bradford always looked likely to score and probably should have done earlier. Glad to see Etete’s as useless for you as he was with us and what a difference when Sherif came on. When Nombe’s back you’ll have a good duo there but defensively you always looked vulnerable, as it sadly proved when Bradford brought on some physicality and experience. Never mind a points not bad but 3 would have been better. On the positive side that Martha looks a prospect and I’d still have Joe Powell at the Reebok tomorrow for his crosses and set pieces.