Jon Blakely's Canadian Chronicles

Division One 2001-2002 Preview

Monday 06 August, 2001

The long, hard and confusing summer

It's been a long, hard and confusing summer as a City fan, let's look at some of the events that have happened since the beginning of last May, as they have looked from this side of the Atlantic.

Ever since I received an obnoxious letter from Mr Richmond, where he stated I had no right to ask about club affairs because I lived along way away, early in the summer, in reply to a message where I questioned whether the Premier league had been an utter financial disaster for Bradford City, we have seen the club stand still. Yes I think the basic squad is obviously good enough to challenge what the first division had to offer last season, but those clubs have moved forward. Every other club with aspirations is building up their squads for a serious season.

I think that an injury to any of our established stars is troubled for us. Look at what has happened before, Wetherall and Jacobs get injured or suspended at the same time, so Myers has got to fill in at left back and noone else is there to help Molenaar at centre back. The same can be said all over the pitch, the squad is only deep enough in one position, Goalkeeper and you can only play one of those at any time.

I can only think that going up to the Premiership has been a bad thing so far for Bradford City, you only have to look at the other clubs like Preston, Birmingham City, Wolves, Watford, Crystal Palace, Coventry have 6million to spend, West Brom will soon have the same to build on their play-off squad, Portsmouth have signed an experienced world cup star and are looking to spend a million or two more, Manchester City aren't going to struggle this time, and yet we have signed a free transfer from a second division team.

So from Canada I ask where has the money gone - The Premiership parachute payment, the money from the sales of Windass, O'Brien, Hopkin, the wage savings from Saunders, Nolan and McCall's obvious drop in salary.

But then again I live a long way away so I have no right to ask any of these questions anyway.

Until next time where a more positive note will hopefully prevail, I sign-off my Canadian Chronicle.

Index of column & Biography