Match day thread: Bradford 6th April 2026 (H)

[Benk]

@Malone

…east.As much as you’re my favourite animal related username in gasroom history, I would struggle not to slap you with a wet fish and challenge you to a duel at any suggestion either he or Casey aren’t a proper dip down in quality from the 3 from last year.I think it’s a very very clear level of tiers that goes like thisBradley/Low/C TaylorAnders / CaseyTaylor / AllenSkuraMe & Most of the terrace

I think Caleb T is a step above Bradley and Lowe. I dont think either of them are specifically better than Anders or DC. But..you are starting to compare different styles.

We know Low looked a bit more doddery especially when he had to play out under Grant, and made an error against us. Maybe his lack of ball playing impacted his options, he left is for a team pretty similar.

For the style we are playing, which is the CB having the ball to link with keeper and midfielders more, id probably take our 2 over those 2.

I would take Caleb, but hes a top of the Championship defender and was never staying long with us, im surprised West Brom sent him back.

[James]

@Otter87

I’m sorry but didn’t several of the signings in the summer praise the Dodds effects and highlighted that they liked working with him in the past? I’m quite sure that Dodds had an involvement with the recruitment last summer, just like Duff was involved in Jan

Huggins was quoted as saying he came to us to be able to work with Dodds.As did CBM.

[Otter87]

@Malone

…east.As much as you’re my favourite animal related username in gasroom history, I would struggle not to slap you with a wet fish and challenge you to a duel at any suggestion either he or Casey aren’t a proper dip down in quality from the 3 from last year.I think it’s a very very clear level of tiers that goes like thisBradley/Low/C TaylorAnders / CaseyTaylor / AllenSkuraMe & Most of the terrace

I think Bradley was the best defender last season, his experience and prescence was much better than Taylor’s.

On reflection, I’d say Low is at the same level as Anders

[Midlander]

@Malone

…east.As much as you’re my favourite animal related username in gasroom history, I would struggle not to slap you with a wet fish and challenge you to a duel at any suggestion either he or Casey aren’t a proper dip down in quality from the 3 from last year.I think it’s a very very clear level of tiers that goes like thisBradley/Low/C TaylorAnders / CaseyTaylor / AllenSkuraMe & Most of the terrace

I can’t play centre back. I’m a goal-hanging centre forward who doesn’t bother with the offside rule.

[Kadoogan]

@Benk

…I find it interesting.In the first 5 league games under Duff. Anders was not in squad. Game 6 against Huddersfield he was on the bench. Then started against Orient, and has been in since.Duff is initially played Taylor and Allen, with Casey on the bench. Injuries and suspensions got Anders and Casey in to first choice.I do wonder who close we got to writing Anders off as another big money waste.

Everyone had written off Taylor, after he’d had far more game time, yet he’s suddenly looking much better since the injuries to Anders and Casey. It’s the only reason I’d like to see Fink get some decent game time in the last few games. He’s mostly had a few minutes at the end of games. Of course the Slough game doesn’t fill anyone with hope, but who thought we’d be reassessing Taylor at this point? We’ve spent what looks like stupid money, let’s make sure we aren’t writing him off without another chance, like most did Taylor and Anders. If he doesn’t take the chance and show something good, out he goes in the summer.

[Wendoverman]

Judging by the style of a couple of new names (to me) posting, chairboys might be playing his mates.

[thedancingyak]

@Midlander

Dom the Analyst guy on Twitter posted this, something I really find difficult to disagree with.

His assessment of only needing 3 more players to strengthen, but names 9 (10 if you include the need to resign Vidigal) new signings seem a pretty easy one to disagree with.

I don’t necessarily disagree with needing 9 players however, it needs to be acknowledged that if we are signing that number of players (again) we are in another transitional season and need to set expectations to that level - even if the majority of new signings are squad players.

Thats a hell of an upheaval and work needed to gel another brand new squad when we have seen these last few months that those squad players may end up having to play a number of vital games during the business end of a season.

[Wendoverman]

@thedancingyak

…His assessment of only needing 3 more players to strengthen, but names 9 (10 if you include the neee to resign Vidigal) new signings seem a pretty easy one to disagree with.I don’t necessarily disagree with needing 9 players however, it needs to be acknowledged that if we are signing that number of players (again) we are in another transitional season and need to set expectations to that level.

Set realistic expectations? Football fans?

[thedancingyak]

@Wendoverman

Set realistic expectations? Football fans?

Fair point.

[Midlander]

@thedancingyak

…igning that number of players (again) we are in another transitional season and need to set expectations to that level - even if the majority of new signings are squad players.Thats a hell of an upheaval and work needed to gel another brand new squad when we have seen these last few months that those squad players may end up having to play a number of vital games during the business end of a season.

This suggests we only need three more starters. Which certainly would not be transitional.

[Midlander]

@Midlander

This suggests we only need three more starters. Which certainly would not be transitional.

Ps we have eight debuts away at Bradford. Pretty sure we won’t give a similar number on first day of next season.

[micra]

@Midlander

Ps we have eight debuts away at Bradford. Pretty sure we won’t give a similar number on first day of next season.

We had?!

[micra]

A couple of tiny nitpicks.

Dom the analyst has the central defenders transposed.

Vidigal is under contract. Technically therefore, I don’t think he has to be re-signed. Just have his contact renewed/extended.

[Blue_since_1990]

I think only Fred, Anders, Morley, CBM and Harvie are top two League 1 class. Casey and Henderson are near to that standard as well.

If we are serious about a challenge we need to bring in 5 or so class players including a goalkeeper.

I suspect that we will not do that having given Leahy a new contract and rumours that Norris is to be awarded a new contract.

[Malone]

@micra

A couple of tiny nitpicks.

Dom the analyst has the central defenders transposed.

Vidigal is under contract. Technically therefore, I don’t think he has to be re-signed. Just have his contact renewed/extended.

Depends on the timing of it.

If he’s in contract - renewed/extended

If the contract has expiratified - re-signed.

[Barneysmith]

@Blue_since_1990

…I think only Fred, Anders, Morley, CBM and Harvie are top two League 1 class. Casey and Henderson are near to that standard as well.If we are serious about a challenge we need to bring in 5 or so class players including a goalkeeper.I suspect that we will not do that having given Leahy a new contract and rumours that Norris is to be awarded a new contract.

Will Luke Leahy be happy playing very few games from now on, given that he’s 34? From his point of view, he’s unlikely to get similar wages elsewhere. Nevertheless he’ll be taking up a valuable squad place, so yet another difficult conversation for Dan to have this summer. I’m not sure of the extension length, but some sources have it at 2 years. If so, was this a questionable decision from those at the top?

I can see Luke being more involved on the coaching side from now on, someone well liked and respected by the squad.

If we’re going to compete at the top end, we’re going to need someone more consistent than Norris.

[Mr67]

What surprised me with the number of new signings we made last summer was the lack of a significant preseason. Surely with that number of new faces, we needed to play a larger number than normal of preseason friendlies
I would’ve thought around eight games with the last two being used to field what Dodds would’ve thought was going to be his starting lineup for the first league game. Instead we had the ridiculous situation of the team at Bradford looking like they barely knew each other (which were certain extent they didn’t) let’s face it they couldn’t even go by the names on the shirts as you couldn’t read them with that ridiculous kit once again an example of why Dodds should never have been allowed anywhere near being a first team coach.

[Midlander]

@micra

We had?!

Correct. Auto correct on phone needs school lessons!

[Benk]

In league one, there’s regularly a high turnover of players, especially with the reliance on loans or short term deals.

Lincoln have made 14 signings according to transfermarket. We made 11 prior to last season and that wasnt a bad thing.

We are losing 4 key loans already, so thats already numbers we need. I am not sure where we stand on contracts ending apart from Vidigal though

[Midlander]

@Benk

…In league one, there’s regularly a high turnover of players, especially with the reliance on loans or short term deals.Lincoln have made 14 signings according to transfermarket. We made 11 prior to last season and that wasnt a bad thing.We are losing 4 key loans already, so thats already numbers we need. I am not sure where we stand on contracts ending apart from Vidigal though

Let me get this clear as well there is no harm with a high turnover of players. What was a problem this summer gone was that there was a high turnover of players and Dodds had no idea of his best team. Therefore pre-season was an utter mess.