Match Preview: Bradford City vs Rotherham United
Article by Timothy Feather
26/12/13
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Valley Parade
Bradford City’s tough Christmas run continues as they face their third top six side in twelve days; a tough run for anybody in the league no matter your position. Bradford have struggled to win any lately and have not won in five games, a slump that needs to halted. The Bantam’s record against Steve Evans’ Millers doesn’t really hold much hope for them, they have lost all three games since Evans took charge at the New York Stadium, failing to score in any of them. Rotherham also possess an impressive away record this season, keeping four clean sheets and failing to score only once on their travels.
The last time the two sides met was in the first round of the FA Cup, Bradford lost 3-0 in a game that they never looked like having a foothold in. Three defensive errors from Bradford helped the Millers move themselves into the pot for the second round; Kieran Agard had an impressive day in front of goal as he bagged two with Alex Revell picking up the other.
Bradford City will be without Rory McArdle since he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Peterborough. This is not a good position for Bradford City to be in as Rotherham have put nine past City in the past three fixtures. Phil Parkinson however is confident that Carl McHugh, Matty Taylor or Luke Oliver has what it takes to replace McArdle in the heart of the defence. Parkinson told the Official Bradford City website, "All three of them are currently vying for that position. We have to look to pick the one who we feel is right for this occasion.” Bradford City will also be without Raffaele De Vita and Caleb Folan, and Bradford will have to wait on the fitness of James Hanson and Andy Gray. Hanson missed training on Monday after he was disturbed with a stomach bug on Sunday night and subsequently, his calf problem was unable to be fully assessed. Gray suffered a dead leg against Peterborough on Saturday and his fitness will need to be observed at as well.
Rotherham however will be feeling more optimistic because they may possibly be welcoming back three players, Joe Skarz, Rob Milsom and Michael O’Connor. This will help Evans keep his squad fresh during the Christmas period, especially after a tough game at the weekend against League One powerhouses, Wolves. The Millers have had a major setback though, the change of management at Wigan has triggered Nouha Dicko being recalled by ex-Bees boss Uwe Rosler. The Bantam’s faithful can breathe a sigh of relief as Dicko’s latest form had seen him score six goals in the past five games for the Millers.
It will certainly be a game which will be seen as a key fixture for both sides because both believe they have a chance of sneaking a playoff place. Rotherham lie in sixth position and are unbeaten in the league in eight games. Both managers have insisted that changes are important during the Christmas period. Evans has maintained there will be changes from the starting eleven last Saturday and Phil Parkinson has said City, “will be making changes over the Christmas period depending on games and opponents, and we will look to pick the best player for the Rotherham game on Boxing Day.”
A win for Bradford can see them lifted to 7th in the league and make up some ground on the last playoff place but a win for the Millers will see them consolidate their sixth position and the Millers will be able to start looking a bit further up the table. It is a must win game for both sides.
© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
26/12/13
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Valley Parade
Bradford City’s tough Christmas run continues as they face their third top six side in twelve days; a tough run for anybody in the league no matter your position. Bradford have struggled to win any lately and have not won in five games, a slump that needs to halted. The Bantam’s record against Steve Evans’ Millers doesn’t really hold much hope for them, they have lost all three games since Evans took charge at the New York Stadium, failing to score in any of them. Rotherham also possess an impressive away record this season, keeping four clean sheets and failing to score only once on their travels.
The last time the two sides met was in the first round of the FA Cup, Bradford lost 3-0 in a game that they never looked like having a foothold in. Three defensive errors from Bradford helped the Millers move themselves into the pot for the second round; Kieran Agard had an impressive day in front of goal as he bagged two with Alex Revell picking up the other.
Bradford City will be without Rory McArdle since he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Peterborough. This is not a good position for Bradford City to be in as Rotherham have put nine past City in the past three fixtures. Phil Parkinson however is confident that Carl McHugh, Matty Taylor or Luke Oliver has what it takes to replace McArdle in the heart of the defence. Parkinson told the Official Bradford City website, "All three of them are currently vying for that position. We have to look to pick the one who we feel is right for this occasion.” Bradford City will also be without Raffaele De Vita and Caleb Folan, and Bradford will have to wait on the fitness of James Hanson and Andy Gray. Hanson missed training on Monday after he was disturbed with a stomach bug on Sunday night and subsequently, his calf problem was unable to be fully assessed. Gray suffered a dead leg against Peterborough on Saturday and his fitness will need to be observed at as well.
Rotherham however will be feeling more optimistic because they may possibly be welcoming back three players, Joe Skarz, Rob Milsom and Michael O’Connor. This will help Evans keep his squad fresh during the Christmas period, especially after a tough game at the weekend against League One powerhouses, Wolves. The Millers have had a major setback though, the change of management at Wigan has triggered Nouha Dicko being recalled by ex-Bees boss Uwe Rosler. The Bantam’s faithful can breathe a sigh of relief as Dicko’s latest form had seen him score six goals in the past five games for the Millers.
It will certainly be a game which will be seen as a key fixture for both sides because both believe they have a chance of sneaking a playoff place. Rotherham lie in sixth position and are unbeaten in the league in eight games. Both managers have insisted that changes are important during the Christmas period. Evans has maintained there will be changes from the starting eleven last Saturday and Phil Parkinson has said City, “will be making changes over the Christmas period depending on games and opponents, and we will look to pick the best player for the Rotherham game on Boxing Day.”
A win for Bradford can see them lifted to 7th in the league and make up some ground on the last playoff place but a win for the Millers will see them consolidate their sixth position and the Millers will be able to start looking a bit further up the table. It is a must win game for both sides.
© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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