Match Report 2002-2003

Saturday 08 February, 2003, Division One

Wimbledon away

Jorgi's sixth puts City on the way to a point

By Roland Harris

Wimbledon 2
Ainsworth 1-1
Shipperley 2-2
Bradford City 2
Jorgensen 0-1
Ward 1-2

It says a lot about the difference between football in the top flight and down here when you watch a game in front of 1,100 odd people in which guys on less than £100 a week exchange passes with people on £18,000 and guys who look superb like Claus Jorgensen and Gareth Ainsworth have no contracts sorted out for next year when others can bleed a club for a couple of years to come. How did it come to this?

Not that long ago Bradford City vs Wimbledon was match of the day. We won it 3-0 and John Hartson was sent off. It was the two years ago and the eyes of the world were watching. Today more eyes were watching games in the third division.

Those who didn't see Claus Jorgensen's sixth goal in six league games missed a beauty. Jorgi snapped up a back header out and lashed the ball in with confidence that you don't expect from a City player. City have been a team low on confidence since the day we went up. We've been battered for two seasons in the Premiership and didn't get much last year. City have been in a low, now we are started to look a bit more lively.

Claus Jorgensen is a good example of this. He does what he does as well as he can do. Gives everything in a way that puts the likes of Gary Locke to shame and puts you in mind of Stuart McCall. City are best when they are like Stuart McCall. No one in the current squad is more like Mc than Danny Forrest.

Forrest is not the finished article by a long way. In fact I'm not even sure I'd have him in the forward line over Andy Gray if it was not for the desire be brings to the shirt. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and drags better performances out of those around him just like Stuart did. Lets face it even Ashley Ward is embarrassed into playing a better when an 18 year old's running and play is putting him to shame.

Ashley Ward, who I would have warming the bench in favour of Forrest and Gray, got City's second goal. It was a far post finish on the back stick after a flick on by Forrest. Ash the poacher man, interesting.

City took the chances they created well and deserved a point. Aidan Davison, not my favourite goalkeeper in the World, looked impressive considering how he had not been training all week. There was nothing he could do when Gareth Ainsworth got onto the far post to tap in a David Connelly centre. David Connelly looked a cut above. He got four at Valley Parade and today his approach play was the best thing about the Dons. Can't see him staying next season regardless of where Wimbledon are.

Not sure I can see Lewis Emanuel staying at City either. Mani went off injured today but looked very impressive. Rumours had it that some of the 1,100 odd represented David Platt's England u21. Mani as a midfielder at England level? Well if Gareth Barry, Wayne Bridge et al can be lined up then why not give Lewis a go in the u21s? He has found his position wide left.

Mani going off weakend City. Wyane Jacobs, obviously not 100% fit, tried to stem the wing tide but couldn't and when Neil Shipperly to give the home side a draw both teams seemed to settle.

City, two wins and a draw and sixteen points in the last twenty four, have got a ten point gap over Grimsby at the top of the relegation fight. Easy hand on the tiller can see this season out and City safe. Next season we can look at the top half of the table, flirt with the play offs maybe, but it will take a long time before we have a team that can have a crack at the Premiership again. The same is true of Wimbledon cause at the moment we are no one's match of the day.

Man of the Match
Claus Jorgensen

The best player at the club.

Bradford City Team
Davison
Uhlenbeek
Atherton
Bower
Jacobs
Gray
Standing
Jorgensen
Emanuel
Forrest
Ward
Danny Cadamarteri for Emanuel