monp1

Bantams in the midst of worrying run

Friday, January 29, 2010, 09:21

FEW expected Bradford City to be languishing in the bottom half of League Two this season.

Housed in the soaring Valley Parade stadium and backed by five-figure crowds, they appeared to have put together a good squad under manager Stuart McCall.

They also made a decent start, including a 2-0 win over Torquay at the end of August.

But after hovering on the edge of the Play-Off zone during the autumn, City have fallen away.

They're in a worrying run of one draw and five defeats since they won 1-0 at bottom club Darlington on December 5.

McCall is certainly not short on experience. His squad is packed with it.

One recent signing is 31-year-old ex-Hull, Carlisle, Falkirk, St. Johnstone and Huddersfield goalkeeper Matt Glennon.

There are plenty of games under the belts of his defenders.

Simon Ramsden (Sunderland, Grimsby, Rochdale), who can also play in midfield, skipper Zesh Rehman (Fulham, QPR) and Matt Clarke (Halifax, Darlington) are all six-footers who have been around.

And at full-back young Luke O'Brien, 21, appears to have a bright future.

It's the same story in midfield.

There are senior citizens there in Welshman Michael Flynn (Wigan, Gillingham, Blackpool, Huddersfield), ex-York, Cardiff and Hartlepool player Lee Bullock, Chris Brandon (see Player To Watch) and 33-year-old Michael Boulding.

Boulding, who can play up front or on the wing, is still a class act on his day, after a fine career with Mansfield and Grimsby twice, Aston Villa and Barnsley.

McCall may have 36-year-old Peter Thorne (Swindon, Stoke, Cardiff, Norwich) back from injury, to join a striking roster which also includes Jamaican international Omar Daley, former Macclesfield striker Gareth Evans, young leading scorer James Hanson (8 goals so far) and youth product Leon Osborne.

Also hoping to break into the side are goalkeepers Simon Eastwood, on loan from Huddersfield, and Jon McLaughlan, defender Steve Williams, midfielders Rory Boulding, Michael's younger brother, and Louis Horne and Scott Neilson.

Bantams in the midst of worrying run

 

   




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