Match Report 2002-2003
Saturday 19 April, 2003, Division One
Watford at Valley Parade
Bantams safe after Watford win
Gray 2-1 pen
Hard facts first: Bradford City have 52 points from 42 games and Brighton, who occupy the highest of the relegation places, have 40 from 43 ergo they can only get 49 and so we are quote Safe unquote.
Claus Jorgensen did the most today to ensure that outcome. He battered a shot at the Watford goal fifteen minutes into the game then got his head to the redirected rebound to beat Alec Chamberlain in the Hornets goal to give the Bantams the lead, he surged into the left hand side of the box only to be felled by former team mate of City boss Nicky Law Sean Dyche. Andy Gray scored the goal that gave City the win from the resultant spot kick. These goals had sandwiched a fine lob by Watford's Heidar Helguson with City's equaliser coming seconds after Watford's leveller.
And that was that. Bantams agenda achieved.
Nicky Law had done what ten months ago looked impossible. When City sacked the entire squad we were looking at life at the bottom of the football pyramid, now we are looking at another season in division one. What should we be looking at? What are realistic ambitions for Bradford City in the 2003-2004 season?
Perhaps the answer to this rests on the outcome of conversation regarding new contracts for midfielder pair Jorgensen and Peter Atherton. Watford fielded one of the best attacking midfielders in the division, crossbar hitting Micah Hyde, but Atherton more or less nullified him. Both players could make the difference between City's squad going into next season settled or not.
Perhaps the answer rests on the progress of Danny Forrest, Simon Francis and Lewis Emanuel. If the three great hopes turn up as polished pros next season then the sky is the limit for City, if as one suspects they carry on more hit than miss then City will do well but not touch the play offs.
Or perhaps it depends on Ashley Ward being able to find the net more than three times. Perhaps at the moment it does not matter. This time last season City dragged themselves to safety which turned out to be the calm before the storm. Today's safety seems more secure.
Man of the Match
Claus Jorgensen
Scored one and felled for the other. If this is the last we see of Claus Jorgensen then you have to think that on this form he will not be back at Valley Parade next season. The Premiership awaits.