You, yes you Mr. Jurno working for the Maily Express (sic) who knew it all and confidently predicted that the little Italian would be on his way when things went wrong. You should hang your head in shame.
Things have gone bad for Bradford City, but Benito Carbone has not been the reason for that and, significantly, he has stayed around through the pitiful number of wins and a two month spell not even getting in the Reserves. Beni has trained, never went awol, never moaned and most importantly, never gave any less than 100% on the pitch. In a season of so few highlights most of them came from the Italian's improbably small feet: Stan Collymore's overhead kick against Leeds was from a Beni cross, as was Dan Petrescu's late header at West Ham. The stunners at Boro and Ipswich were solo efforts from Carbone and the one decent home win of this term, 2-0 against Chelsea, was crafted by Carbone.
The lack of wins and points, the Stan issue, the waste of space that was Dan Petrescu, the injury to David Wetherall that robbed us of our stablilty... all these things that have seen us ushered out of the Premiership in a season when we hoped for a little more can not be laid at the door of Benito. Those people who took a pop should be forced to learn Italian and apoligise to Benito for questioning his professionalism at the start of the season. It looks like Beni will go in the Summer, probably for the best as Jim Jefferies crafts a team of steel, but we shall miss the little guy and, hopefully, the little guy may miss us and what might have been.
Shame on Matt Clarke for assuming that he should get an automatic position ahead of Gary Walsh. Bided his time, waited for his chance and, after the odd blip (Man U at home), got back on top form. Looks set for a reply of his 1998-99 form in 2001-2002.
Players player of the year for 2000-1.
It is easy to forget what a wretched season this has been for Stuart. He must have started it thinking that he was about to begin the end of this playing years by sliding City into Premiership respectability a la Leicester City, he ended up manager of Stan Collymore.
Nevertheless through it all he has put in a fine level of performance and once again been a credit to Bradford City. Next season should be more unfinished business. Stuart will want to finish his last season in pro football (he says) by putting the Bantams back in the top flight.
Could have figured higher had the Leeds brawl with Andy Myers not sullied his season. Promise of promotion next season warms the heart though.
Players come, players go, Wayne Jacobs remains the best left back at the club.
He came, he saw, he overhead kicked the bastard into the net and then he nicked off.
Forward to the 2001-2002 season