Home
COLIN Doyle reckons he knows exactly what to expect from Wanderers at Valley Parade tomorrow.
The Bradford City keeper is anticipating an aerial bombardment similar to the one he says the Bantams got in the goalless draw between the two sides at the Macron back in September.
As League One’s two meanest defences go head to head, the smart money could be on another tight contest. But Doyle is confident his side can stand up to the direct threat offered by Phil Parkinson’s promotion chasers.
“We know it’s going to be physical, like in the game over there,” he said.
“There were a lot of long balls, flick-ons and long throws into the box sending their centre halves up.
“We know what to expect with the three centre halves playing and then any throw-ins, they lump up and try and get bits.
“They’ll be looking for knock-downs, a bit like Gillingham did for their (first) goal the other week.
“But we dealt with it well at Bolton and we’ve got to be right and make sure we’re switched on whoever’s going up for headers.”
Bradford put assistant manager Eric Black up for the press yesterday, and the experienced Scot reckons the furore which surrounded the first game is unlikely to die down as Parkinson returns to the ground he managed at for nearly five years.
“There was a big hype surrounding it when we played at Bolton. But it’s probably more so this time because it’s the first time Phil has come back.
“He’s done a fantastic job in the four or five years he was at Bradford. Phil and his backroom staff, Steve Parkin and Lee Butler.
“They are a side with a bit of experience about them. They are up there on merit.
“They’ve had two or three ropey results, like everybody has in this division, but they will be formidable opponents.”
Black also envisages a physical game with few chances but is mindful of the threat posed by Mark Beevers, David Wheater and Co at set pieces.
“I think it will be a very similar to the game at Bolton,” he said. “There wasn’t a great deal created by either side.
“Both teams will look to catch each other out. We feel Bolton are very strong at set-plays and we’ve got to be mindful of the fact we don’t concede any silly free-kicks.
“In general play, they’ve got players that can hurt you. I’d like to think we’ve got players that they will pinpoint can cause them problems.”
Source
The Bradford City keeper is anticipating an aerial bombardment similar to the one he says the Bantams got in the goalless draw between the two sides at the Macron back in September.
As League One’s two meanest defences go head to head, the smart money could be on another tight contest. But Doyle is confident his side can stand up to the direct threat offered by Phil Parkinson’s promotion chasers.
“We know it’s going to be physical, like in the game over there,” he said.
“There were a lot of long balls, flick-ons and long throws into the box sending their centre halves up.
“We know what to expect with the three centre halves playing and then any throw-ins, they lump up and try and get bits.
“They’ll be looking for knock-downs, a bit like Gillingham did for their (first) goal the other week.
“But we dealt with it well at Bolton and we’ve got to be right and make sure we’re switched on whoever’s going up for headers.”
Bradford put assistant manager Eric Black up for the press yesterday, and the experienced Scot reckons the furore which surrounded the first game is unlikely to die down as Parkinson returns to the ground he managed at for nearly five years.
“There was a big hype surrounding it when we played at Bolton. But it’s probably more so this time because it’s the first time Phil has come back.
“He’s done a fantastic job in the four or five years he was at Bradford. Phil and his backroom staff, Steve Parkin and Lee Butler.
“They are a side with a bit of experience about them. They are up there on merit.
“They’ve had two or three ropey results, like everybody has in this division, but they will be formidable opponents.”
Black also envisages a physical game with few chances but is mindful of the threat posed by Mark Beevers, David Wheater and Co at set pieces.
“I think it will be a very similar to the game at Bolton,” he said. “There wasn’t a great deal created by either side.
“Both teams will look to catch each other out. We feel Bolton are very strong at set-plays and we’ve got to be mindful of the fact we don’t concede any silly free-kicks.
“In general play, they’ve got players that can hurt you. I’d like to think we’ve got players that they will pinpoint can cause them problems.”
Source