1: We are no longer second in the table, and the usual lorryload of pessimists claim we will not regain a top two position again this season. There is some sense behind this argument, as we are off form, losing key players and struggling with the size and quality of the back-up squad.
2: Steve Bruce has, however, shown considerable nous and power in the transfer market and has a fortnight to clinch deals that are evidently beyond the early stages. He has swiftly smoothed the path for David Stockdale’s vital return to the Circle and now can go after a striker. The right moves could act as a catalyst to getting City back on track.
3: And if you can’t get one Campbell, maybe you can get another. Fraizer looks like he’s on the way to Cardiff – they’re way ahead of the field in the Championship at the moment and on that point alone, you could hardly blame him – and so now Bruce has tabled a bid for Dudley Junior. He’s 31 now, is DJ, but has a good record at Championship level and is not needed by his current employers. The other clubs in for him don’t have Bruce’s knowledge of the player or, indeed, the player’s knowledge of Bruce, and maybe their history will be key to the player signing for City. With Sone Aluko now out for at least six weeks, the procurement of a natural striker is more urgent than ever.
4: Bruce is also said to be chasing a duo of gifted Egyptian players, neither of whom is Ahmed Elmohamady. This is exciting stuff too. Ahmed Fathi, a wingback, and striker Mohamed “Gedo” Nagi could be with the club on loan by the end of the month.
5: Speaking of Elmohamady, it was perfectly within Sunderland’s right to recall someone whose wages they are responsible for. In a way it may be helpful to the Tigers in the longer term, as it might force hands at both clubs to get a deal done. Elmohamady was only an injury time substitute in the Black Cats’ win at Wigan at the weekend and is known to be keen to join the Tigers permanently. And under the rules he can’t play for anyone else now this season anyway.
6: At Orient, City were tepid and can be grateful for Nick Proschwitz’s worldy and Tom Cairney’s late show, as to end the tie with a penalty shootout may have proved too grotesque for words. Still, a home tie against Barnsley in the fourth round this weekend is a worthy reward, not obviously for any excitement associated with the game, but for the prospect of an all-too-rare fifth round tie in February.
7: Peterborough United officials and volunteers deserve our thanks and congratulations for making sure the game on Saturday went ahead. The inclement weather and the lack of undersoil heating made the prospects bleak, but a spot of belief, a few shovels and a touch of luck with the Saturday morning conditions meant we got a game and avoided a midweek trip down there at some inconvenient point of the the later season. Again, though, City were tepid and deserved no more than the point acquired.
8: Peter Swan was asked on the BBC in midweek, during one of many lulls at Brisbane Road, his opinion on the players out of contract at the end of the season, and which should be offered new deals. He said one who deserved it, in the context of both the player’s form and the direction being taken by the club, was Paul McShane. And he is right.
9: It’s the Race Night for Andy Dawson’s testimonial tonight. A fiver on the door at the Mercure Hotel in Willerby from 7.30pm. He deserves a huge turnout.
10: It’s rare we can feel well disposed to Bradford City, but tomorrow night they take a two-goal cushion to Villa Park with a place in the League Cup final at Wembley awaiting them if they can maintain their composure and advantage. Frankly, beyond City being at Wembley themselves, one can’t imagine a greater footballing joy in these cynical, sanitised times than seeing Matt Duke, after everything he has been through, getting to a major Cup final.
10..I so want this to happen.Not for Bradford’s benefit obviously but for a fine servant for City through thick and thin.Best of luck to Mr Matt Duke.
Comment by Craig — January 21, 2013 @ 4:56 pm
10.Be kind. We can afford to be, thanks to our last visit to Valley Parade. Elliot, Barmby and a whole stand of City fans made it a day to remember as we all but clinched promotion to Div 2 and Bratfud continued their slide in the opposite direction. The only game I have ever seen where an opposition player received a rapturous ovation from Tigers’ fans and returned their applause – but it was Deano. There’s also Atkinson and Doyle in their team, not to mention one, Philip Parkinson.
At a time when money seems to skew most competitions in favour of the obscenely funded clubs, Bradford’s exploits can give us all hope.
Comment by Bucks Tiger — January 21, 2013 @ 6:22 pm
Firstly, congratulations for Things We Think. I look forward to reading them every week. Also on point 10, couldn’t agree more with Craig’s comment. The last time i saw Matt Duke play for City was in the Premiership at Upton Park against WHU. It was a midweek evening game and City were awful in the first half. WHU were all over us and if it wasn’t for Matt Duke we would have been at least 4-0 down at half time, he even saved a penalty. After the game and the loss, which even Matt’s heroics couldn’t stop, I saw him stood outside the ground as I was walking to the car. I couldn’t resist going over to him, which I did, shake him very firmly by the hand and say thanks for making me feel proud of supporting Hull City tonight. He smiled and said thanks. Clealry a very unassuming guy and a great professional. Coincidentally that game was Jimmy Bullard’s first for City, coming on as a sub, and if my memory serves me well going off through injury shortly after. If Mr. Bullard had some of Matt Duke’s attitude then I’m sure his born talent could have been used to greater effect. Funny that the game at WHU summed 2 City opposites that were on the field that night, certainly from an attitude perspective.
So like all City fans I will also be supporting Matt Duke tomorrow night and I hope he gets a very fitting trip to Wembley to star in a cup final, he and his career deserves it.
Comment by John — January 21, 2013 @ 6:24 pm
A new wing-back and a pair of strikers by the end of the month.
Hardly a small ask after all that’s been splashed out on so far this season.
But the manager and the board seem to be giving it their best shot.
If Brucie lands his targets then I think we’ll in the top two by the end of it.
Comment by Tiger-Man — January 21, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
We have been very unlucky with who has been injured and for how long, seems to be only the best players this season, Fryatt and Dudgeon for the whole season, Hobbs, Aluko, Cairney etc. this is half of our first team, not to mention keeper problems!
Bruce, with the Allams backing has done a terrific job in getting around these problems, which are easy to forget after a few bad performances.
We do need a leader on the field though, Koren has been almost absent for some time now and very rarely goes for a tackle choosing to simply follow the opposition with the ball, this was highlighted by Brucie constantly bellowing at him to move on Saturday, Our captain should be a strong character.
Jack Hobbs should be given back the arm band and return to leading by example, something he does every time he pulls a shirt on, i feel the back 3 (or 4?) is being meddled with far too much to make room for my boy Alex, we had one of the meanest back lines in the division last season with Hobbs and Chester taking the lead, they should be aided by either McShane or Faye, i am afraid Alex would be anyone else’s 5th choice…
Comment by amberroar — January 21, 2013 @ 11:00 pm
Re: comment 5, I’d disagree with you there. Bruce has been consistently very good. Not excellent, but very good. We’re blessed with five well-above-average centre halves, each with slightly different qualities.
Yes there’s an argument about nepotism but Bruce has earnt his spot in the side. I think he sometimes gets stick as he’s maybe not as clashy/flashy/dominant as his compadres.
Comment by Prawn Sandwich — January 22, 2013 @ 10:45 am
Alex Bruce has had a really good season.
Comment by Amber__Nectar — January 22, 2013 @ 12:08 pm
Always a good read. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Regards point 5 – Elmo can’t be signed by anyone else and play this season; in fact, he can’t even go out as a standard loan this window to any other team than The Tigers… but he can be loaned out by Sunderland on an emergency loan to somewhere else…
Comment by James — January 22, 2013 @ 1:04 pm
McShane was excellent at Orient and Peterborigh (- shame his diving header did not go in), he’s grown into a cult here this season and I say that as a previous non believer in the ginger one.
Comment by Bosco — January 22, 2013 @ 2:10 pm
8 above: Can Elmore be sold to another team though….as rumoured…If so, will the second Egyptian come into play…
Re 3: FC’s dad must give thanks every night for Hull City and their gullible managers….SB done over like a kipper and used as a lever for cash. It’s put us behind in the striker hunt IMO. 4 above: Hope we get 2 strikers!!….needed for chance of auto promo IMO.
Tactics: Lot of comment on sub use last game. Also think 442 maybe more up for consideration more often. Bit fixated, our Steve?
Not sure about DJC….and still about NP! Come on Bradford!!!
Comment by gjhdurham — January 22, 2013 @ 9:20 pm