The David Wood Column

Sunday 14 October, 2001

All I want for Christmas Mr Richmond is a Flying Winger

After witnessing City's last three performances at first hand I have become concerned by what I have seen to be a major failing of the current City side.

If you can cast the mind back to that promotion campaign three years ago City were one of a few sides who consistently played with two flying wingers, Peter Beagrie and Jamie Lawrence. This was the basis of our success and should be again.

City are currently suffering from a lack of natural width, with the fullbacks expected to come forward and deliver the width. I believe that JJ has noticed this problem and is attempting to address it, although the answer is defiantly not Whalley and Jess who are both more effective in the centre of the park.

In the current squad I believe we have an answer, a fully fit Lee Sharpe playing in his natural Left wing position could offer a much needed outlet and creation of more scoring opportunities just as the discarded Peter Beagrie once did. On the other side there is a problem. Lawrence is out for while, even though the Jamaican International is a little too erratic for JJs liking.

It seems quite ironic that the teams who have come to VP and impressed, all seem to employ one tricky winger, eg Burnley and Wolves. Both of which have topped the division for reasonable lengths of time this season. Mr Richmond has promised a bit of cash at Christmas and I believe that to sign a tricky creative winger would go a long way to bolstering a stuttering Bradford City side.

Until then get well soon goes out to Sharpe and Lawrence.

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