It’s been 7 years to the month since we lost 4 games in a row, a run a single fan from any club would not like to experience, that time was under Peter Taylor. Our previous run of 4 losses was under Stuart McCall in March 2009 and both those runs had us losing 3 times away and once at home, but surely we can’t lose 5 games in a row under McCall? Can we? The last time City have lost 5 games in a row was again under McCall’s first episode as Bradford City manager (not counting his caretaker games) covering September and October 2007. We’ve been here twice before under McCall, this time is our 3rd time under the City legend where we have had such an abysmal run of games against poor teams. The last time we lost 5 on the trot was against teams like Hereford, Wycombe, Accrington, MK Dons and Morecambe, and yes, the very same Accrington that is one of many bad small teams to constantly beat our gaffer, they did again twice last season.
One common thing with these losing runs is they have been followed by a draw each time, under both Peter Taylor, Stuart McCall and Stuart McCall, will the same pattern continue a 4th time? But what I will say is and I give credit to a few individuals, just be hones with the supporters, McCall last came out saying no excuses, if we’re crud, just tell us how it is. Kilgallon telling us morale is down, it may not make for easy listening, but it is better than treating us like mushrooms, ie feed us s*** and keep us in the dark. I actually admired McCall this week with some of the stuff he said. We are light with injuries, but the depth is purely down to the manager, injuries are part and parcel. Parkinson got us to the cup final with the reserves team, don’t believe me, look at the input players like Andrew Davies had in that run. You didn’t see the guys moping about wanting a cuddle, it gave others an opportunity. Just be real Stuart, have a rant, if players aren’t performing, get the kids in the team and have the likes of Nicky Law as the orange boys at half time. They don’t like it, they can either play better or do one. Better yet, drop some of the so called ‘first choice’, sit them in the kop with the fans and just let them listen to what supporters think of how we are doing. Let them suffer with the rest of us. But well done though, I take my hat off to you this week Stuart. We’re fed up of the bull excuses, now just drop your favourites and grab that bloody squad by the jugulars.
All good (and bad) runs come to an end.
Anyone going to support Birmingham this weekend? I have to say I’m going, no brainer really, £15 to watch a Prem team take on (and hopefully lose) to a 2nd division club rather than pay £25 to watch 2 poor 3rd division teams. At least we don’t have the worst emblem in the sport, that honour goes to our neighbours, what were they thinking, it looks like something Goebbels would like to brandish? I wonder what Willy Topp’s parents were thinking when they named him? Wonder what he is doing now. I recently worked with Kingsley Jones, nice guy actually. Wonder if we can get the legend that is Ian Ormondroyd to get his boots out of the bottom of the cupboard and take to the pitch at Valley Parade.
Another previous McCawfull record McCall can match.
Ok, there really isn’t any reason I can think that we can go out and win, but all those were valid questions. McCawfull has a terrible record against poor teams, always has done, always will do. We are now up against 19th placed AFC Wimbledon at home. The type of fixture I have always hated under McCall, the Dons have already beaten us only as recently as a month ago and they started the shambles of 6 losses in 8 games, they really will be up for it to cull the Bantams and dish out the double and I can’t see why they can’t. If the Dons played like they way they did on the 23rd December and if we play like we have all season, it should be 3 points Wimbledon. Morale is at an all time low, even some of the first choice players are down and out, so if the Dons can match City, even grab a goal, they can really rub salt into a very open wound. City really are there for the taking by anyone and everyone, home or away.
Head to head and form
4 City wins
0 draws
4 (The true) Dons wins
Barely a month ago the Dons won 2-1 at home to bring standings even with 4 wins apiece. Of the 4 City wins, 1 of them was in the FA cup at only our 2nd meeting. Last season City got the double scoring 3 goals in each game with the Dons scoring twice at home, meaning this fixture last season ended 3-0 with goals from Tony McMahon which included a first half penalty and a last minute sweetner and a half time goal from Mark Marshall. The Dons have only ever won just the once at Valley Parade, their first ever visit in September 2011, 1-2 the score with City taking the lead through a Michael Flynn penalty only for Jack Midson to equalise after 5 minutes and then Christian Jolley with the winner in the 2nd half. Biggest win goes City way, scroll down for result.
City last 6 LLLLWW
City last 6 Home LWLWLW
Dons last 6 WDLWDL
Dons last 6 away DLDLLD
It is well documented amongst the City faithful we have lost our last 4 games and 6 of our last 8, we are currently one of the worst teams in the division when comes to form. 6 points from a possible 21. In contrast the Dons have acquired 11 points from their last possible 21. The league positions don’t reflect current form. The last win on the road for Wimbledon goes back to 18th November, away to Bristol Rovers 1-3, coincidentally a team we lost 3-1 a week prior to this weekend’s game at the very same ground. Also what is worth noting, the only game the Dons have lost in their last 5 was away to Spurs, take that out of the equation and it isn’t a bad little run.
City’s last 6 results
Rotherham United (A) 2-0 loss
Bristol Rovers (A) 3-1 loss
Northampton Town (H) 1-2 loss
Yeovil Town (A) 2-0 loss
Fleetwood Town (A) 1-2 win
Oxford United (H) 3-2 win
AFC Wimbledon last 6 results
Blackpool (H) 2-0 win
MK Dons (A) 0-0 draw
Tottenham Hotspurs (A) 3-0 loss
Southend United (H) 2-0 win
Gillingham (A) 2-2 draw
Portsmouth (A) 2-1 loss
Last 6 league encounters between City and AFC Wimbledon
Dec 2017 – Dons 2-1 City
Apr 2017 – City 3-0 Dons
Oct 2016 – Dons 2-3 City
Feb 2013 – Dons 2-1 City
Aug 2012 – City 5-1 Dons
Mar 2012 – Dons 3-1 City
Goals in numbers, last 6 games
For – Dons 7, City 7
Conceded – Dons 7, City 12
Blanks – Dons 2, City 2
Clean sheets – Dons 3, City 0
Goals in numbers City home/Dons away (last 6)
For – City 12, Dons 3
Conceded – Dons 9, City 12
Blanks – City 1, Dons 4
Clean sheets – Dons 2, City 0
Leading scorers
13 Charlie Wyke (City)
12 Lyle Taylor (Dons)
League placings difference
City – 14 places – Dons
Boz’s match verdict: Draw
5 Fun Tackles
1. The Dons have a player called Great Evans. Honest. Wonder if he is related to a fan who keeps getting lost at Valley Parade? Every game I go to, when the noise has died down at the full whistle, a few people in the kop shout out for Thank Evans.
2. I wouldn’t want to be Don’s defender Will Nightingale this weekend. I’ve a feeling at some stage McCall will scream to our forwards ‘Fire at Will’. Poor lad. We would be better at firing at the goal for a change.
3. Wonder if the Bantam faithful will call the ball after Dons keeper (George) Long this weekend.
4. I would love to have seen Dons’ Liam Trotter go up against ex Bantam Chris Waddle. But it would have been a pig of a trek out if one of them ducked.
5. Dons defender Darius Charles is so good he needs no surname, but he demands to be introduced twice by his first name.
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