Match Report 2002-2003
Saturday 17 August, 2002, Division One
Stoke City away
The unbeatable beat themselves
The word was out amongst City fans and the word was Windass.
Dean Windass is reported to be coming back to the Bantams on a season long loan from Middlesborough and he would be most welcome.
Today Andy Tod started over Danny Cadamarteri after his goal in the week in a side that Nicky Law claims has goals in it. I worry because I don't see where these goals are.
They are not in the backline which is impressive at defending although dropped a couple of major clangers today. They are not in the engine room of Tom Kearney and Paul Evans although both players are superb at what they do. Andy Gray is a traditional winger not a goal getter, Jamie Lawrence can not be relied upon.
Which leaves Tod, Cadamarteri and Ashley Ward and whichever way you perm that trio there is not a lot of goals there. Is Windass the answer? Perhaps. You would really like to see City bringing in a Lee Mills figure, a fox in the box, but no one is letting those guys go on loan.
City started off badly with Gary Walsh fluffing on the ball to let Andy Cooke rob him and score. Half an hour later Patur Marteinsson was left unmarked at a free kick but the tiny City backline to head home. It seemed that if "The unbeatable" were going to lose it was going to be to themselves. Marteinsson's goal came from a cross by Chris Commons who set about the field like a young Paul Gascoigne. Impressive.
Nicky Law switched things around and got the Bantams not to dwell on the errors of the first half. City roared back into the game with Paul Evans belting everything in the midfield. Ashley Ward side footed in after Danny Cadamarteri cut one back for him only for a dodgy flag to rule it out. Andy Gray volleyed home in injury time to set the final score at 2-1.
So a first defeat of the season but good spirit shown and we could point to the self inflicted wounds and offside flag as proof that there is something there for the season. Dead Windass back for next Saturday? He would fit into the attitude of the squad and makes things happen on the field but will he get the goals?
Time will tell.
Man of the Match
Paul Evans
As always...