News

On Stephen Warnock

A Bantam Brother writes to BfB

Last week after the game with Wimbledon BfB Editor Michael Wood was critical of City's loan player from Liverpool Stephen Warnock. During the week Stephen's brother Neil contacted us to take issue with what we had said. We at BfB feel that Neil makes some interesting points about Stephen, about City and about the attitude of young footballers today.

Neil email is presented as was sent. It makes interesting reading and we were happy to get it.

Michael,

As I'm sure you have guessed from the address I am a relation - his brother. I have been reading with interest your pieces on Bradford since Stephen made the journey up the M62 and I have to say that when I read your report about the game on Saturday I was a little shocked about your comments re Stephen. However I have to say that if I was a Bradford supporter watching him every week I would probably have formed the exact same opinion as yourself - he has been shite.

I thought that this would be the perfect move for him. Having just been offered a new contract in the summer he did not want to sit round and keep playing in the reserves. He was faced with a very big decision as to whether to got to Bradford or not. As you may have read he played in a very experienced side in pre season at Chester and outshone the lot of them - I know it was only pre season. However Steve Highway called him and told him to reconsider his loan move, as if he continued to perform this way he would be in the squad for a game very soon. However he chose to move and he was offered the chance to play regularly at your club. Now don't get me wrong, I believe players should be able to play anywhere, but Liverpool were told by Bradford that he was to play Left Back. He hasn't played Centre Midfield for at least three years since breaking his leg. Indeed Liverpool were not happy at all that he was playing CM and threatened to cut short his stint at VP. Why they have just allowed him to sign for another month is beyond me and Stephen, if he is still going to play CM.

Believe me I can see where you are coming from. He hasn't been commanding at all since he came in. I have told him so many times after games that he needs to be more commanding and get on the ball more. However he is told to play a certain way by Liverpool and this is to get the ball and play what he sees. Boring, unoriginal - yes but this is what they want him to do. When he was younger he would get the ball and run at people all day and he was a joy to watch. However, under Houllier all the players have become machines. There is no creativity in the Liverpool team because it has been sucked out of them (Gerrard being the exception). I wouldn't really say that I am trying to defend him because I can see your point. However I feel he looks like he doesn't care when he is playing for Liverpool. I have told him recently that I believe in the ten or so games he has played for yourselves, he has looked like a Liverpool player once - Norwich, and a Bradford player the rest of the time.

I would only say that you could make a true judgement on the player when he has played 10 or so games at Left Back - his natural position. Believe me, not a lot of wingers will beat him and he can get forward. Like I said above I can see where you are coming from but NL wants him to do a job, sit in front of the back four and clean up. I dont think he has done a particularly bad job of that. I would also point out that he can control a ball, a fact that seems to be overlooked by a very shaky defence. Long balls are the order of the day from Mark Bower, Molenaar and co. Why? On Sat I believe that they tried to play a little football, but as soon as the 2nd half comes around it is the old long ball game. This message was supposed to be about Stephen. However I cannot go on without mentioning Robert Molenaar. I am a neutral. Obviously I want to see Bradford do well for Stephens sake, but, oh my god. I really do believe that when he is in possession the whole of the team has to be on their guard because that ball could end up anywhere. He is not a footballer and I really do believe that his performance affects the whole of the back fours game - they are scared shitless. I believe the lad Craig Fishlock is a good player and Stephen said that he is a very good player. He could do no worse than Big Bob.

Anyway I would just like to say that obviously you or I don't pick the team. However Nicky Law does and he really does believe that Stephen is doing the job that he wants him to do. Liverpool have also been very impressed by the way he has conducted himself - personally I would expect a hell of a lot more, because I know he is capable of a hell of a lot more, but again that is probably why I am a coach for a local team and they are coaches for the team on the top of the Premiership. I think it will also be interesting to see who they play CM on Sat. I have appreciated the way that Mike Standing has always tried to play football, having watched him play with Stephen for England youth. However I do not believe that you have any one else to complement him, as every other CM is attack minded. I also challenge you to see how many times your two CM's give the ball away on Sat, and then compare this with when Stephen plays next time. I bet you he only gives 5% of passes away compared to maybe 30-40% with other players. It may be a fickle point but I would suggest to you that you do a lot more damage with the ball than without it!!

Neil [Warnock]