You would guess he knows this, and that’s why he was labouring the point. Probably why the links with the Barnsley guy.
Have had a watch of the highlights. Could have easily been a draw with the chances we had in the second half. Poor start has cost us with the error from Van Sas albeit he made up for it later with that save. Good finish by Udoh for the goal and he kept his run well.
With the penalty shout, from my personal perspective when I have officiated I think it should have been a penalty. His arm was already a bit out and very much out by the time it hit his arm. I felt the referee also had a poor view of it (it looked like he was blindsided based on his very central position). Not sure if any comms happened with Senior AR or 4th Official either. If he was more wider to the left maybe we would have be awarded it. The reaction of our players looked geniune as well rather than half-hearted hence my opinion.
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I’m happy that Dodds spoke after the game about adding “steel” to the team. We’re clearly missing a lot of that physicality with the three CBs and Bakinson having departed.
I wonder if there is some tension between Dodds and ownership here - perhaps why we haven’t got in a couple of those rumoured transfers yet. Rice spoke about having a “Championship” mentality about the club in every decision, including seemingly buying “Championship” players for the team in January.
My concern is that we need to master “League One” mentality first. Even Birmingham in their record-breaking season last year had some big commanding players and weren’t afraid to take on teams physically. If we can’t do the same we’re going to get bullied like we did today and drop a lot of points to teams far less technically gifted than we are.
Hopefully with players like Fink coming in and a couple of signings (like Taylor or the chap from Mansfield) we’ll be able to find the right blend. And with the Kone situation and players not being fully match fit (Harvie, Fink) and a couple of late injuries (Henderson and CBM), I’m happy to give today a mulligan. But it’s a warning sign and something which needs to be addressed ASAP!
Looking forward to cheering a first half goal next weekend!
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I’ve said it before but after day 1 of the season last yeari was the most confident I’ve been for as long asi can remember.
We lost but deserved to win against a new money team that ended up second.
This season we were comprehensively beaten by a side that might finish top half.
We weren’t anywhere near as bad as we’ve been up to now under Dodds so that’s welcome. But also, “you’re much less shit than we’re used to.” is also damning with faint praise.
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Where have I done that just out of interest ?
Amazes me the amount of fans that have written this season off already , on the BBC match report it’s even worse . Having watched wycombe for 35 years and seen some complete rubbish from what i’ve seen today i’m quite positive. Once kone goes we can sign a couple of new players in key positions and think we will do well . Wasn’t Dodds biggest fan last season but think he will come good.
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Yeah, let’s not write off everything just yet. Who has forgotten the 2 down in 4 mins to Exeter 2 years ago.
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I’ e tried to be positive about Dodds but he’s not upto it. Bradford had 7 new players starting to our 4. It’s got nothing to do with letting the players settle in etc. Dodds and his staff aren’t good enough, the recruitment is abysmal and ultimately the leadership from above is to blame.
Yes they may have made huge improvements off the pitch, but in all honesty they’ve completely f’ckd the 1st team up. Not one of the new players bought in since January has been an upgrade, Bradley but that was a loan. The new irish cb looks absolutely terrible, the Danes are terrible and with the rumours of back handers involving there signings Rice seriously needs to be looked into.
I have absolutely not faith the recruitment, mangerment and leadership.
Rice strikes me as someone who won’t ever admit he’s got things wrong. This could be a horrendous season coming up.
Genuinely miss Rob, Pete and Gareth. Worrying times
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In the post I replied to, for starters!
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More in depth interview with Dodds on this page: Bradford City 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers - BBC Sport
I actually think he’s getting better at these interviews. He’s clearly finding a style of play that he’s more comfortable with, and knows that he’ll live or die by it. I don’t mind that at all.
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No such thing as an overreaction on the Gasroom.
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Yes, we are only at the beginning of the rabbit hole with this lot.
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Vertical passes out from the back were really good. I thought Hagelskjaer and Van Sas played some really well executed balls through the lines to open up the game.
Mullins also looked really good. I’m hopeful he can go on to have a very successful season.
But the lack of bite and aggression was a major worry. We just cannot afford to lose so many headers and 50-50 balls. Charlton and Wrexham both showed last season that doing the ugly stuff is a vital ingredient for success.
We need to improve significantly in the number of balls we win both in the air or on the ground, otherwise we will constantly be fighting an uphill battle. At times we looked a bit like the PL development academy sides we face in the tinpot trophy - plenty of skill and technical ability, but lacking physicality and poor without the ball.
There’s a long way to go but based on that showing I expect us to score some lovely goals this season, while also losing plenty of matches to teams that feel unrefined in comparison.
L
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You need to give your head a wobble , plenty of good signings in the summer and in Jan have some patience if we are poor after 3/4 months you have a point.
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Dodds has been with us since January, Rice since last summer. This isn’t an overreaction. It’s there for all to see. Every aspect of the first team has gone down hill. Theres been absolutely no improvements made on the pitch.
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Spot on this. Good and accurate summary
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Who’s actually improved the first team? Bradley was great and then there was………..
Travelling back from our city of culture thought I’d give my thoughts.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Wycombe team with such accomplished first touch, pass and move as I saw today.
Does this achieve results? We will see. I saw enough in the second half to give me hope.
Can you score a goal without shooting? I can say one hundred percent no you cant
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How can you possibly say that none of the new signings have improved the first team, when you’ve seen most of them play less than 90 minutes?
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Have we upgraded on Taylor, Low, Humphries or Morley? The answer is no. The Danes and Lowry were no where near good enough last season now they’re starting.
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