Reserves player ratings v Bradford

[Thracian]

Alex Cisak 6.5 (One excellent near post stop, a good punch clear when under pressure and otherwise sound while having no chance with the goals).

Luke O'Neill 6.75 (Had a hand in the second goal and was well involved generally both in defence and attack if a little patchy with his passing)

Joe Magunda 6.25 (Won almost everything in the air but he and Rowe-Turner allowed a free header for the visitors second goal and unsuccessfully tried to play offside for their first)

Lathanial Rowe-Turner 5.75 (See above)

Joe Cobb 6.5 (Again supported well going forward and did a fairly competent job at the back although might have done more to combat Bradford's winger for the opener).

Lee Cox 6.5 (Another to have a hand in a goal although not quite so dominant as I've seen him, particularly when Bradford hit back second half).

Radostin Kishishev 7.25 (Quality for at least an hour of the game. Saw the pictures made everything simple and, not for the first time, showed a real ability to get people around him to play some football).

Ashley Chambers 7.5 (Always involved, some positive dangerous runs, one brilliant assist, other shots curled narrowly wide. Looked far more impressive on the left than ever Laczko has done.)

Ricky Sappleton 7 (Another goal which takes him to around six in the last fortnight and might well have scored with a snapshot on the turn which was brilliantly deflected wide for a corner. His control is as ugly as Hammond's at times but he did have a presence and that all-important effect).

Billy McKay 8.5 (Head and shoulders Man of the Match. Selfless, intelligent, hard-working. So unlucky not to score when hitting the woodwork twice but his first-time passing and movement was a treat to watch).

Craig King 7 (Tap in goal and generally played his part in some impressive attacking even if the team failed to finish as they might have liked.

Sub: Elvis Hammond 7 (One scrappy goal, might have had another and so nearly contributed to another all in a 15 minute spell. Clearly more than Bradford could handle).

[Cheese Me]

What was the score?

[Bernie's Love Child]

Alex Cisak 6.5 (One excellent near post stop, a good punch clear when under pressure and otherwise sound while having no chance with the goals).

Luke O'Neill 6.75 (Had a hand in the second goal and was well involved generally both in defence and attack if a little patchy with his passing)

Joe Magunda 6.25 (Won almost everything in the air but he and Rowe-Turner allowed a free header for the visitors second goal and unsuccessfully tried to play offside for their first)

Lathanial Rowe-Turner 5.75 (See above)

Joe Cobb 6.5 (Again supported well going forward and did fairly a competent job at the back although might have done more to combat Bradford's winger for the opener).

Lee Cox 6.5 (Another to have a hand in a goal although not quite so dominant as I've seen him, particularly when Bradford hit back second half).

Radostin Kishishev 7.25 (Quality for at least an hour of the game. Saw the pictures made everything simple and, not for the first time, showed a real ability to get people around him to play some football).

Ashley Chambers 7.5 (Always involved, some positive dangerous runs, one brilliant assist, other shots curlied narrowly wide. Looked far more impressive on the left than ever Laczko has done)

Ricky Sappleton 7 (Another goal which takes him to around six in the last fortnight and might well have scored with a snapshot on the turn which was brilliantly deflected wide for a corner. His control is as ugly as Hammond's at times but he did have a presence and that all-important effect).

Billy McKay 8.5 (Head and shoulders Man of the Match. Selfless, intelligent, hard-working. So unlucky not to score when hitting the woodwork twice but his first-time passing and movement was a treat to watch).

Craig King 7 (Tap in goal and generally played his part in some impressive attacking even if the team failed to finish as they might have liked.

Sub: Elvis Hammond 7 (One scrappy goal, might have had another and so nearly contributed to another all in a 15 minute spell. Clearly more than Bradford could handle).

Elvis on the bench for Sunday maybe?

[lildave3]

Thrac, still no 10 for the SappleTree? For shame.

[Guest]

Elvis on the bench for Sunday maybe?

Yes, as a motivational icon, a true testament to what you can achieve if you really believe that your (ankle) will get better

[Thracian]

Thrac, still no 10 for the SappleTree? For shame.

Perhaps it's a lucky seven though and he'll turn up on the first team bench Saturday.

[Dames]

I was expecting a Beswick love in tbh.

However i am confident Hammond will save our season given this information.

[Thracian]

I was expecting a Beswick love in tbh.

However i am confident Hammond will save our season given this information.

He was there with Mattock, Stearman, Wesolowski, Gradel, Andy King and others offering support. In fact it's hard to recall a home reserves match these lads haven't been to watch if they weren't involved themselves. I cannot believe some people complain they don't care about the club. They're not the only ones either. It's the "outside" signings you so rarely see.

[Corky]

I think Kishishev has been harshly treated by the managers this season. He could have done a good job in our midfield.

[Thracian]

I think Kishishev has been harshly treated by the managers this season. He could have done a good job in our midfield.

Used sparingly, perhaps with King coming off the bench, I tend to agree. From watching him reserve games he's not got 90 minutes in him any more.

But ability wise it is not just the time he finds himself and the intelligent passes he makes but the infectious enthusiasm that seems to rub off on others.

I've seen first teamers try to blame youngsters for mistakes they've made - Tiatto and Newton stood out on two occasions - but Kishishev is forever talking and encouraging people around him and I've mentioned before that I think he'd be brilliant to have around on the coaching staff.

You can see the class in Kish with so much that he does and his play always seems so positive. It's such a pity the batteries are gradually running low but, if it were my choice, I'd love to find a way of keeping him around and helping bring people through.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Used sparingly, perhaps with King coming off the bench, I tend to agree. From watching him reserve games he's not got 90 minutes in him any more.

But ability wise it is not just the time he finds himself and the intelligent passes he makes but the infectious enthusiasm that seems to rub off on others.

I've seen first teamers try to blame youngsters for mistakes they've made - Tiatto and Newton stood out on two occasions - but Kishishev is forever talking and encouraging people around him and I've mentioned before that I think he'd be brilliant to have around on the coaching staff.

You can see the class in Kish with so much that he does and his play always seems so positive. It's such a pity the batteries are gradually running low but, if it were my choice, I'd love to find a way of keeping him around and helping bring people through.

I'd agree with that. I see no harm in having him on the first team bench on Saturday. My only concern would be that because he's been messed around so many times this season, he may not have the belief that he can be a half decent player.

[Thracian]

What was the score?

3-2 to Leicester. Sorry, I presumed everyone would have read the OS report first.

[maddog]

With the way our current strikers have been performing, Hammond getting the winner tonight has to earn him a place on the bench at Stoke.

With King scoring and Sappleton they deserve to at the very least be in conntention for a place in the squad.

[The People's Hero]

With the way our current strikers have been performing, Hammond getting the winner tonight has to earn him a place on the bench at Stoke.

With King scoring and Sappleton they deserve to at the very least be in conntention for a place in the squad.

Shockingly, I'm inclined to agree.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

With the way our current strikers have been performing, Hammond getting the winner tonight has to earn him a place on the bench at Stoke.

With King scoring and Sappleton they deserve to at the very least be in conntention for a place in the squad.

Yes, Hammond sounded like he'd played well, but it's one game, and, although I'd love him to take part on Sunday, I'd rather Sappleton (as you suggested, should be in contention) be in line ahead of him. He can't miss at the minute, and has all the physical attributes that Steve Howard supposedly has.

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

Was Andy King injured or is their another reason he didnt make the bench?

I wonder what some of these players have to do to get recognition at our club!Our Crap team, yet most struggle to make the bench even though they peform regularily in the reserves/academy

[Candidcamera]

Not likely any of 'em will be on the bench. However, Southampton pulled a great manouvre when bringing on the youngsters with pace and nearly won the match. No excuses for Ollie we clearly have the youngsters especially those mentioned as attending the match.

[Thracian]

I'd agree with that. I see no harm in having him on the first team bench on Saturday. My only concern would be that because he's been messed around so many times this season, he may not have the belief that he can be a half decent player.

In some ways his performance did him more credit considering the messing around. He seemed fully focused, determined to win the game and willing to not only look after his own performance but get a performance out of others.

[Thracian]

Yes, Hammond sounded like he'd played well, but it's one game, and, although I'd love him to take part on Sunday, I'd rather Sappleton (as you suggested, should be in contention) be in line ahead of him. He can't miss at the minute, and has all the physical attributes that Steve Howard supposedly has.

If Sapp gets on the bench I'll be pleased for him but him or Elvis? No contest. It's speed we need first and foremost.

Also, despite his build. Sapp's not learned to use his strength yet while Hammond is very tenacious and difficult to muscle off the ball.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

If Sapp gets on the bench I'll be pleased for him but him or Elvis? No contest. It's speed we need first and foremost.

Also, despite his build. Sapp's not learned to use his strength yet while Hammond is very tenacious and difficult to muscle off the ball.

I don't want to say Hammond doesn't merit a place ahead of some of the turd we've currently got up front (Howard), and I'd love to see him get his chance. Unfortunatley I think that Holloway is inclined to the "big man/little man" theory to try and get us goals.

If he was going to experiment with some new and refreshing he'd of done it long before now. The chance has gone.

[Thracian]

Was Andy King injured or is their another reason he didnt make the bench?

I wonder what some of these players have to do to get recognition at our club!Our Crap team, yet most struggle to make the bench even though they peform regularily in the reserves/academy

Kingy like Mattock, Beswick, Stearman, Wesolowski (and even Gradel) was at the match but I got the impresion that anyone likely to figure in the first team was kept out of the reserves match although the odd one or might have played themselves into contention on the night, though I doubt it.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Kingy like Mattock, Beswick, Stearman, Wesolowski (and even Gradel) was at the match but I got the impresion that anyone likely to figure in the first team was kept out of the reserves match although the odd one or might have played themselves into contention on the night, though I doubt it.

Still, good to hear that he might at least be being considered for the first team.

[Thracian]

Still, good to hear that he might at least be being considered for the first team.

When I saw that entire group queuing up with the fans for a half-time drink I thought how lucky our club was to have such a belting group of young players.

And what a crying shame it would be if they were to split up when they could form the basis of such a good side. One could still hope Shush! might be persuaded to return in certain circumstances but with Porter and Dodds likely possibles as well and people like McKay, Chambers and Sappzilla coming on you really do have a base to start from.

Especially if people like Alnwick, Bell, Hammond and Hendrie could be persuaded to stick around and if Worley could be turned into a footballer.

[Father Ted]

When I saw that entire group queuing up with the fans for a half-time drink I thought how lucky our club was to have such a belting group of young players.

And what a crying shame it would be if they were to split up when they could form the basis of such a good side. One could still hope Shush! might be persuaded to return in certain circumstances but with Porter and Dodds likely possibles as well and people like McKay, Chambers and Sappzilla coming on you really do have a base to start from.

Especially if people like Alnwick, Bell, Hammond and Hendrie could be persuaded to stick around and if Worley could be turned into a footballer.

What was the attendance? And do you speak to the players?

[Thracian]

What was the attendance? And do you speak to the players?

I'd have put the attendance at around 200/250 last night.