please log in to view this image Leaders Bristol City maintained their unbeaten start to the League One season but had to settle for a point against Bradford City. Aden Flint headed in early on, only for Billy Clarke to level for the visitors before the break. Centre-back Flint gave City the lead again when he capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. But with five minutes remaining, Christopher Routis fired in off the woodwork to rescue a point. City have now made their best start to a season in 60 years, going 14 games unbeaten in the league, and have not lost in their last 20 matches, a run stretching back to March. But Steve Cotterill's side were left disappointed after twice throwing away the lead against a plucky Bradford, who had come off the back of two defeats. The hosts broke the deadlock on eight minutes when an unmarked Flint rose to meet Luke Freeman's free-kick and headed in. But Bradford drew level from Mark Yeates' set-piece, which was sent into the box and nodded in by Clarke. And the Bantams went close to taking the lead minutes later but Clarke and Andy Halliday both struck the woodwork in quick succession. City went on the attack immediately after the break, with captain Wade Elliott and fellow midfielder Marlon Pack shooting over from distance. Flint thought he had netted the winner when he stabbed home with eight minutes remaining but Routis equalised again with a half-volley off the crossbar. please log in to view this image Aden Flint puts #BristolCity ahead at Ashton Gate. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29608430 Steve Cotts TALKS...http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29708345
I saw it as a point gained seeing that Swindon and Peterborough both lost. I don't think we did enough though to win the game, but certainly didn't deserve to lose, so maybe a draw was a fair result. Quite how Bradford missed that chance after they had just scored, I will never know, I was expecting the ball to hit the net not once but twice. Bradford came for a point and got it. We looked far too predictable tonight I thought and two or three looked a bit jaded which is hardly surprising given our start to the season. Bradford didn't try to win, but they played their part and I guess deserved a draw at the end of the day. Trying to see t positively as a point gained, and now 6 points clear. preston in a few weeks time is likely to be our biggest test.
probably beginning to slow down and get a little lax !! first 7 = w 5 d 2 12gf 4ga pts 17 scnd 7 = w 4 d 3 18 gf but 11 against 15 pts but hey HO A RECORD
Was the freekick deliberate? The one where Pack ran into Elliott and looked a **** up until Elliott rolled into Jets path?
I got the impression that we never seem to beat Bradford, but I hadn't realised until tonight that it was that bad. Last 11 games I am told are Drawn 5 Lost 6. The last time I remember having a midweek game at home against them, we were 1-0 up and all over them, until one of their players hit an absolute screamer from about the half way line right into the top corner. Tails right up, they hit us with 2 more quick goals and although we got one back in injury time we lost a game that we should have won. A victory up there later this season then, is well overdue
I say this all the time, but I think it's time to start rotating a few players. I assumed that SC would rotate some of the more tired players after a loss, but since we're still unbeaten I reckon it's time to give the odd player a week to rest and to give someone else the chance to cement a first-team place.
Bradford City are a real bogey team for us. Our overall record against them at home is now: played 19, won 5 drawn 4 lost 10. Away won 4 drawn 5 lost 10. Plus their away record this season before last night was won 3 drawn 2 lost 1. That is why I forecast a 2-2 draw on both threads here on not606. We are still unbeaten but what concerns me most is that in the first seven games this season we conceded only FOUR goals but ELEVEN in the last seven. If we are to last the course until May, we must begin to get a lot more clean sheets and also learn very quickly how to close up the game when we are leading with only ten minutes to go. We cannot rely on having to score two or three goals every game to get a draw.
Exactly the point I made a couple of weeks ago..tighten up at the back!!! These late goals may well cost us down the stretch.
Aside from the 3 we let in at Fleetwood its the volume of goals being conceded at home that is the concern.
"I thought and two or three looked a bit jaded" I agree with this, they are all trying their best but Little and Wilbraham have just dropped off a little bit recently and look a bit leggy, can't say I blame them both been superb till now, maybe a little rest is in order. I also thought Pack had a very good game but we seem to become very narrow through midfield without Korey, they seem to play in a straight line and we lose midfield a bit.
