Match Report 2001-2002

Saturday 08 December, 2001, Division One

Rotherham United At Valley Parade

Mishapen City beat the Millers

When it comes to writing the record of this season it will probably read that City were a good side that lost their way when injuries beset the small squad. Games like this, when the small squad was stretched to the maximum in a test that it passed, will be forgotten.

Of the 11 starting positions City had between two and four players where they should be and it was credit to debutant Stephen Caldwell, who controlled the back four of midfielder McCall and youngster Lewis Emanuel at full backs and full back Andy Myers at centreback, that City went in at half time level at 0-0. With a surprisingly solid back four City built a platform to attack from and mustered a couple of chances, the best of which saw Robbie Blake turned away from goal, confidence too low to belt the ball first time.

The Miller's had chances, but the best of them met firm Caldwell resistance and it would come as no surprise if one where to hear that Jim Jefferies pointed at the man on loan from Newcastle at half time and told his players to show the same spirit. City were not uncommitted, but seemed scared in a way that new signing Caldwell did not.

Caldwell's display aside there was little more to mention in the first half other than the start of a feud between Matthrew Etherington and Rob Scott on the City left that would prove crucial later on. Like well plotted drama the seeds were sown early, the culmination came in the second half.

Scott, who was sent off in five minutes when the two sides met in the Worthington Cup back on the 11th of September, had leaned on the winger on loan from Spurs and Etherington had pushed back. A quiet word at half time seemed to spark something in Etherington, a Roy of the Rovers phrase, use your anger positively, and like a tiny Doctor Banner in Claret and Amber, the more Scott wound Etherington up, the better he got.

Scott pulled at Etherington in the box, nothing, two minutes later when a Rotherham corner broke down the Spurs winger tore forward with the ball at speed unseen, he released the ball, the temptation being the Ahab like release, inside to 17 year old Lewis Emanuel who was the only other City player even likely to keep up with the charge.

Emanuel should have had a goal, would have had a goal, but John Millen dove in two footed on the left back who was clean through. It was a dangerous tackle, it was in the box, it was on the last man and it was the most cynical foul this side of the 1980 Willie Young on Paul Allen in the FA Cup final (Ask yer Dad) but despite Robbie Blake scoring the resultant penalty you could not help but feel that Millen got away with it. A yellow card would have been too light. This had to be a red card, yet no action was taken.

That injustice might have kept Etherington bubbling. He ripped down Rob Scott's side of the field once more, found Robbie Blake once again and the rejuvenated post-Carbone Blake spun on his axis and fired home smartly.

Blake looked set for a hat trick, but nothing fell for him. Rotherham came back when Aidan Davison, who despite one or two superb saves including one with his foot towards the end of the game never has looked to me good enough to replace Gary Walsh full time, pushed the ball back into play to the waiting Scott who pushed in from short range.

Ashley Ward, who started slowly but gradually got back into the swing of first team football following his lengthy lay off with injury, sealed the points with a two feet on the floor header form a Juanjo corner. Ward held off a defender for twenty yards as he attacked space at the front post to get his new Sharpe-sque hair style to the ball, it was an impressive example of what City should be doing more often. Attacking space in the box is always the best option, a fox in the box as Thierry Henry said in that learning English from Dr Suess way.

But what of those outside of the team? Those on the sidelines who saw a display of spirit from those who replaced them? With the exception of Lee Makel who did little to suggest that he should keep his first team place and Aidan Davison there should be some worried faces. Robert Molenaar and to be honest David Wetherall have not looked as commanding as Caldwell for a long time. Juanjo on the wing raises interesting questions for Eoin Jess to answer.

The most obvious question though is how a City team with so many changes can look so much better than one that flopped far too many times this season? Perhaps the "proper" side are too comfortable with there reputations, with the idea that they are former Premiership. It was heartening to see players with something to prove and this game could prove to be a wake up call for a lot of those at the Bantams who take there roles in the team for granted.

Players out of position for City against Rotherham

• Wrong Davison in for Walsh.
• Wrong McCall in Halle's position.
• Wrong Debut boy Caldwell where Wetherall should be.
• Perhaps wrong Neither Andy Myers or Robert Molenaar has made the position their own but with Molenaar being more of a natural centreback one could argue that the position is his, not Myers.
• Wrong Emanuel replaces injured Jacobs.
• Wrong Juanjo starts his first game in the role usually filled by Eoin Jess.
• Wrong Lee Makel in Stuart McCall's role.
• Wrong Eoin Jess in Gary Locke's position.
• Right Matthrew Etherington has not missed a game on the left wing since signing on loan.
• Perhaps wrong Robbie Blake has made the position his own, but Benito Carbone would be their was he not off on loan for financial reasons. Whether the Italian could make a better job of it is an interesting question.
• Right Ashley Ward is back in his rightful role.

Man of the Match

Matthrew Etherington

When some players could have got mad and faught back or got mad and sulked, Etherington got mad and got even though playing football and that alone justified the chants of "Sign him up". Swap for Carbone.

City Team:

Davison
McCall Caldwell Myers Emanuel
Juanjo Makel Jess Etherington
Ward Blake

Subs: Sharpe for Etherington