John Still brings his Dagenham & Redbridge side to Valley Parade, a venue he wasn’t sure would be playing host to the Bantams when he was in the mix for the job in the summer.
But at Valley Parade we have stayed and Peter Jackson brings his side into their 5th game of the season still hunting for their first victory.
By contrast today’s visitors have made a better start notching up two wins out of their three games including a 1-0 win over Swindon on Tuesday evening.
But a 2-0 home defeat to Wimbledon suggests that last years League One relegation candidates aren’t invincible.
Today marks the 7th league meeting between the two sides. Unfortunately we have only won once. If ever there were a ghost to put to bed it would be this one.
Vital Quotes:
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus (follow the link for the full interview) the Bantams’ Chris Mitchell attempts to calm the fears that are beginning to escalate on the internet (which is where panic seems to roam free). He said ‘wins will come. We`re only three league games in so it`s not a catastrophe. There is so much to be played and if we keep doing what we can then I`m sure we`ll get the right result. Everyone needs to keep together as a group. Do that in the club and you`ll do that on the pitch.’
Peter Jackson’s rival for the Valley Parade hotseat in the summer brings his Dagenham & Redbridge side to West Yorkshire. Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus (follow the link for the full story) John Still explains why he turned his back on the chance to be in charge of Bradford City. He said ‘I was interested. But there was a little bit of uncertainty at that particular time about where the club was going to play. Because that wasn`t sorted in the time frame I wanted, it was something that didn`t go any further. I just felt that perhaps it wasn`t the right time because of that. Once we had a conversation, I needed to know the position of the club. And I needed to know within a specific time. It never went as far down the road of me considering (the role) because of the time scale involved. It didn`t reach the point where there was a decision to make.’
Bradford City Team News:
Bradford City are still ruing the loss of David Syers for at least 10 weeks as well as still being without Simon Ramsden. Joining them on the sidelines are Lee Bullock and possibly Steve Williams whilst Jon McLaughlin finds his return to action blocked by the loanees. From tweets during the week it appears Luke O’Brien’s continued exclusion from proceedings is not due to injury but Jacko’s preference for Robbie Threlfall.
All that means that the Bantams will probably line up in a similar way to Tuesday evening.
Martin Hansen will keep goal (despite disappointment with his performances thus far) behind a back four of Liam Moore, Luke Oliver, Guy Branston and Robbie Threlfall.
The midfield is less easy to predict but depends on what formation Jackson starts with.
Expected to start will be Chris Mitchell and Michael Flynn with Ritchie Jones possibly alongside them in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation. Michael Bryan may be gaining further match fitness that could support an attempt to play with wingers.
James Hanson, despite receiving criticism, remains one of the first names on the team sheet and Jackson will muse on whether to start Jack Compton and Mark Stewart or to do something different involving Ross Hannah, Nialle Rodney or Nakhi Wells.
Player to watch: Guy Branston
The Bantams captain has talked a good game. Today’s game could be a test of his leadership. Dagenham & Redbridge are usually a good side. Should the Bantams be struggling then faced with the prospect of 5 winless games it’s likely the atmosphere will be hard.
He needs to enthuse his players and ensure they’re up for the match whilst also demonstrating the kind of leadership the fans expect, and appreciate when it’s on display.
Dagenham & Redbridge Team News:
John Still has got an injury nightmare at the moment and won’t be able to include any of his sicklist in the squad to travel north.
Full-back Abu Ogogo and striker Sam Williams have got problems with their groins whilst Phil Walsh’s toe injury keeps him out of the attack.
To add insult to injury midfielder Billy Bingham (he’s hurt his knee), Kevin Maher (he’s broken his metatarsal), Peter Gain (has got a hernia), Damian Scannell (another groin injury), Rob Edmans (with a fractured leg) and Josh Scott (whose hip is failing him) are all stuck in the treatment room.
And yet they managed to pick up a win over Swindon which saw the return of defender Richard Rose from his groin problem (what are they doing with their groins!?)
Player to watch: Brian Woodall
Having made his full debut on Tuesday (and missing a glorious chance to open his account), he is the Ross Hannah of the Daggers. A successful non-league striker with 30 goals last season for Gresley Rovers, he will be hoping to make his mark. Just as we hope the same will be true for Ross Hannah.
Today we hope our non-league-goal-scoring-super-star-hero vanquishes theirs!
Ref Watch:
For a look at today’s referee read our article ‘The Men in Black for the Daggers #BCvDR’
Next Fixtures:
No midweek fixture this week meaning the squad will be able to have a breather and refocus ahead of next Saturday’s visit by Barnet.
