Bradford City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Concrete John]

N'Zogbia instead of Holman playing in the hole behind Weimann and Benteke?

Given our defensive frailties and what I see as a weak central midfield pairing, I think we'll need everybody working hard for those times when they get the crowd going and are putting us under pressure.  Ireland is not the player for that and neither is N'Zogbia, hence by opting for Holman.  N'Zogbia night be the player to bring on for Holman later once the game is stretched and Bradford have (hopefully!) punched themselves out.

I'd rather we attacked them hard with pace and power; Gabby, Benteke and N'Zogbia offer that sort of threat - let's face it, we're playing a 4th Division team!

Being dismissive of them is how PL clubs can get embarassed at lower league grounds. 

I might be tempted to go your way if it was a one off game, but given the two leg format I think the time for that is at Villa Park.  We need to be professional.   

[supertom]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time.
I want Zog to turn it around here. He can offer the sort of spark we often lack. He's been putting the effort in, he could just do with a shot of confidence and to stay fit. He's been a little unlucky this season. The desire has actually been there, far more so than last season. And though he's been largely bish, it's more down to confidence than anything.

I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

[tomd2103]

Their best chance of scoring will be set pieces, so if we are tight in that area we'll be fine.   I just can't see us having too many problems over the two legs. 

[Pete3206]

I don't get this about resting players. Pick the best side and get the job done.

[pestria]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time ..... I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

You've got to f**king joking about resting players for the most important game of the season so far.  Are you one of these mumpties who sacrifices cups?

 ... why not just go and support the baggies - I bet they're shitting themselves at having to play another game and possibly losing a place in the table as a result.

[David_Nab]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time ..... I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

You've got to f**king joking about resting players for the most important game of the season so far.  Are you one of these mumpties who sacrifices cups?

 ... why not just go and support the baggies - I bet they're shitting themselves at having to play another game and possibly losing a place in the table as a result.

Playing 2 players who A) Played well Saturday and B) Cost in Excess of £30mil against a 4th division team is hardy sacrificing the cup.

I'd start with Bent and N'zog too.

[cheltenhamlion]

What on earth was that outburst all about? Wind your neck in my old son.

[eastie]

I would play the strongest team possible- if we get a comfortable win then maybe the time to rest players would be the 2nd leg.

[Boz]

As long as we don't concede an early goal, we'll be OK, but we need to be tight at set pieces and not let them become get their tails up. As the Arse found out they could be hard to break down and we aren't exactly top scorers so far this season.

[Concrete John]

I would play the strongest team possible- if we get a comfortable win then maybe the time to rest players would be the 2nd leg.

Totally agree with this.

I got the impression the likes of Benteke were rested against Ipswich to be fresher for this game and also possibly Southampton at the weekend.

[Risso]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time ..... I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

You've got to f**king joking about resting players for the most important game of the season so far.  Are you one of these mumpties who sacrifices cups?

 ... why not just go and support the baggies - I bet they're shitting themselves at having to play another game and possibly losing a place in the table as a result.

Blimey, slightly unnecessary rant that in my humble opinion.  I don't think anybody is suggesting a Houllier style capitulation, but giving Benteke a game on the bench with Bent up front again wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Mazrim]

I was thinking of a formation we could get Bent, Benteke and Weimann in but I can't. Not unless we're going for broke anyway and hopefully that won't be an issue.

So...

                                   Guzan
                  Clark                           Baker
Lowton                         Herd                       Bennett
                  Bannan                      Delph
                                  N'Zogbia
                  Weimann                Benteke

Given, Lichaj, Wililams, Carruthers, Holman, Agbonlahor, Bent

Should be more than enough.

[cheltenhamlion]

It looks a great opportunity to get some match legs into those just returning and we still have a second leg where we can go full tilt if needs be. I don't think we will mind.

I am hopeful that this tie will be put to bed tomorrow night even if we leave a couple out.

[pestria]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time ..... I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

You've got to f**king joking about resting players for the most important game of the season so far.  Are you one of these mumpties who sacrifices cups?

 ... why not just go and support the baggies - I bet they're shitting themselves at having to play another game and possibly losing a place in the table as a result.

Blimey, slightly unnecessary rant that in my humble opinion.  I don't think anybody is suggesting a Houllier style capitulation, but giving Benteke a game on the bench with Bent up front again wouldn't be a bad idea.

I simply can't see the logic in dropping the two leading goal scorers in team desperately short on goals.  Despite his goal scoring record, Bent has not been deemed appropriate to the team's needs all season, so why change now?

[Legion]

It's an ideal game to rest players and give the likes of N'Zog and Bent much needed fitness and game time ..... I'd rest Benteke and Weimann.
I'd go for CNZ and Gabby either side of Bent for this. That's more than enough ability to twonk Bradford, with all due respect to them.

You've got to f**king joking about resting players for the most important game of the season so far.  Are you one of these mumpties who sacrifices cups?

 ... why not just go and support the baggies - I bet they're shitting themselves at having to play another game and possibly losing a place in the table as a result.

I suggest a read of the Site Rules followed by a short lie down in a dark room..