Never mind lads we had 7-8 first teamers out maybe if they were playing it would of been a different scoreline, now you can fully focus on promotion, if we do get out of league 2 im sure we will have 13-14000 crowd for next season, come on boys make it happen. "STUART MCALLS BRADFORD ARMY"

Jones looks a very good signing and if Burnley don't want him and we can afford him, I would like McCall to make him a permanent addition to the club in January. He looks very quick and has a good cross. He drifted out of the game in parts on Saturday, but bearing in mind he has only played half a dozen first team games in the last 12 months, that is hardly surprising. He will be a real asset when he is fully fit. I just hope we aren't getting him fit so he can be sold on to one of our rivals come January. We Daley back on the left and Jones on the right, the opposition won't know where to employ their defences!

It is the 1st December today. How many are preparing to renew/buy their season tickets for next season? I am hoping to get mine today and if not, I will be down at VP on Saturday morning to renew then.

Not only has he only played a few 1st team games for anyone recently he hasn't had time to train with us and get used to the lads.Hopefully a week of working with us will get him up to speed.

DonHutchinsAfro wrote:
Not only has he only played a few 1st team games for anyone recently he hasn't had time to train with us and get used to the lads.Hopefully a week of working with us will get him up to speed.

Too right.

Plus, we will need to re-train him. After spending a month at Town, he will have picked up lots of bad habbits LOL

now we all know topp wont be at city after jan and is wages would free up for potential new arrivals just wondering who city fans would like us to sign?
for me i would like us to sign another striker or maybe 2 if bazza doesnt get his contract extended and i still feel we are a centre half short
as for steve jones he would be a good addition should he wish to sign and we can afford him but he is another player over 30 maybe a good swap for bazza though

"Waynus"-I like your assessment of two fast Wingers in Daley and Jones.My style of footy play.
Why did Town not keep Jones I wonder?; and are you possibly being a little premature with your assessment of him?. Obviously I hope you are correct, but the possibiity of a drop in form,or as you point out-will Burnley part with him, or recall him when fit, or sell him on to another Club, if 'the price is right?'.( C'Mon Down!). Either way it sounds like he can do a job for us, from now until January. As you are not happy with our defence,( Yes, players are injured), and it looks like Topp is finished(Is this going to be a financial Loss from the £35,000.plus paid out?). Barry Conlon may move on,Peter Thorne has a suspect back problem. Is my previous assessment request to the 'Board' last week, for 2 more Strikers and 2 more Defenders looking more apparent?.
I can hear everyone saying-NO!.
Where will the 'Board' get the money from, as Mark Lawn said the revenue from the sale of next Seasons' Tickets now,will not be used this Season. But I want 'AUTOMATIC PROMOTION',and sometimes you have to 'Speculate to Accumulate'.
Now I am in bovver!.

ricky wrote:
now we all know topp wont be at city after jan and is wages would free up for potential new arrivals just wondering who city fans would like us to sign? for me i would like us to sign another striker or maybe 2 if bazza doesnt get his contract extended and i still feel we are a centre half short as for steve jones he would be a good addition should he wish to sign and we can afford him but he is another player over 30 maybe a good swap for bazza though

Re Jones - perhaps a good swap for Brandon LOL.

Seriously though, as we have played 5 months of the season with no Topp, do we need to replace him with another striker? I think we should look at making Jones' stay a permanent one.

Should Bazza not have his contract extended, who should we bring in as his replacement??

As for another central defender, not unless one goes out first. We could offload Bower or Ainge, but shouldn't be getting anymore in unless one goes, or is the plan to have 1 keeper and 4 defenders on the bench??

Of all our current loanees, the one we should be signing up permanently is Nicky Law although for me he wasn't quite at his best on Saturday. Jones is another the wrong side of 30 and probably just doing a job until Colbeck gets himself fit. No doubting his quality though. Tom Clarke would be next on my list and if Arnison can't get a look in then give TC a few games at right back but I wouldn't pursue TJ, Jones or Furman after their loans run out. Nothing against them but we obviously don't have the funds to sign them all.
Full marks to Luke O'Brien. Hardly put a foot wrong - more displays like that and the scouts will be back at VP.

i dont think we need another defender as i feel mark bower is more than capeable in this devision and definatly league 2. wish we could get rid of matt clarke and free up some money. the first thing i would do in jan would get dean furman on loan for the rest of the season. and hopefully fabian delph will get sold for a lot of money to give us something to spend. if that does happen i would spend the money in trying to get nicky law here full time, i would also try and get joe colbeck on a new contract as he is out of one at end of season and if he carrys on playing like he does it would not supprise me if a bigger teams starts to have a look at him. as for someone who we could sign i would say steve jones as permanent as he can play upfront and give us something different up there. maybe jermaine johnson on loan seen as tho he ant played that much this season. any other thoughts from anyone

No point i signing Nicky Law because when fit we have enough midfielders. Only a seasons loan is the feasible option. Now Topp is definately out of the picture we need another striker defo. Baz may be gone. Will Thorne's back stand a Christmas schedule? and if either Baz or Boulding were injured we would be extremely vulnerable in what lets be fair is 'where it matters'. Believe that Bower is adequate cover for the defence also. Need to try and ship out a few on loan i.e. Arnison, Topp (sadly), Ainge. No point of having them on the wage bill at the moment. Still concerned at the lack of info coming out of valley parade at the moment i.e. Topp, Baz's contract, Colbeck contract etc all eems abit chaotic but thats compounded by injuries and the need for loans. Indeed all things considered its amazing that Stu has managed to get us into 2nd.

TOPP IS FINISHED BUT WHY WILL HE BE OFF THE WAGE BILL IN JANUARY?

His contract is until the end of teh season and unless he is transferred in the window he is entitled to stay:he is a free agent if we do not increase his contractual wages but he can stay on teh payroll until teh end of theh season or permanently transferred

"Every game a Cup-tie"
Lets hope not, as we have only won one cup-tie in the last "150years".....well it sure feels like that!!!

tyker wrote:
TOPP IS FINISHED BUT WHY WILL HE BE OFF THE WAGE BILL IN JANUARY? His contract is until the end of teh season and unless he is transferred in the window he is entitled to stay:he is a free agent if we do not increase his contractual wages but he can stay on teh payroll until teh end of theh season or permanently transferred

from the understanding i have heard and read the contractual situation with topp as already been sorted out hence why he is leaving in jan whether its been fully paid off or only part paid we probably wont know but i can only go of what stu as said

ricky wrote:

tyker wrote:
TOPP IS FINISHED BUT WHY WILL HE BE OFF THE WAGE BILL IN JANUARY? His contract is until the end of teh season and unless he is transferred in the window he is entitled to stay:he is a free agent if we do not increase his contractual wages but he can stay on teh payroll until teh end of theh season or permanently transferred

from the understanding i have heard and read the contractual situation with topp as already been sorted out hence why he is leaving in jan whether its been fully paid off or only part paid we probably wont know but i can only go of what stu as said

As usual Ricky, you are spot on. City have agreed terms on Topp's pending release. I believe they have agreed some kind of severance pay and it isn't the full amount he would collect sitting in the stands at City until the summer.

Freddy wrote:
"Waynus"-I like your assessment of two fast Wingers in Daley and Jones.My style of footy play.
Why did Town not keep Jones I wonder?; and are you possibly being a little premature with your assessment of him?. Obviously I hope you are correct, but the possibiity of a drop in form,or as you point out-will Burnley part with him, or recall him when fit, or sell him on to another Club, if 'the price is right?'.( C'Mon Down!). Either way it sounds like he can do a job for us, from now until January. As you are not happy with our defence,( Yes, players are injured), and it looks like Topp is finished(Is this going to be a financial Loss from the £35,000.plus paid out?). Barry Conlon may move on,Peter Thorne has a suspect back problem. Is my previous assessment request to the 'Board' last week, for 2 more Strikers and 2 more Defenders looking more apparent?.
I can hear everyone saying-NO!.
Where will the 'Board' get the money from, as Mark Lawn said the revenue from the sale of next Seasons' Tickets now,will not be used this Season. But I want 'AUTOMATIC PROMOTION',and sometimes you have to 'Speculate to Accumulate'.
Now I am in bovver!.

I remember seeing him come on against us at the beginning of the season. He looked good then too. The fact that he can't get in a Championship's side doesn't mean he isn't good enough. I remember when we picked up a certain Mr P Beagrie when everyone else thought he wasn't good enough.

As for why Town didn't want him, I could ask you the same of T.Clarke? Jones was wanted by the previous management team, but the current set-up prefer to look at their own players, from the academy, before looking elsewhere.

If we can bring another player to the club, then we should consider it. However, I believe that if we do replace Topp, it will be more likely that someone like Jones stays as he can cover two positions.

The one thing I do still disagree with you about is signing more defenders, unless we get shut of Bowser and Ainge first. What is the point in bringing two more defenders to the club when we have four that can't get a game (Bower, Ainge, Heckie & Arni)?

Just heard Topp has left club with immediate effect, maybe now we'l hopefully hear the truth from City as to why he was quite clearly frozen out! 35k + pay off settlement down the swanny, not good enough for a team with our history of finance problems.

Where have you heard that Topp has left immediately?

Bradford City striker Willy Topp is SET to move on shortly after finding his opportunities limited at Valley Parade.

The Chilean international moved to the League Two outfit in a £35,000 switch from Universidad Catolica in December 2007.

But he has made just six starts for the Bantams and boss Stuart McCall will let him go to free up a wage.

McCall said: "I think the time WILL COME SHORTLY that Willy will be leaving the club.

"Willy wants to go to pastures new and it'll free up a wage for us to maybe bring somebody else in in January."

He added: "We've got a big squad and me as a manager can only pick the players that I think are in on merit in training and reserve games."

Topp needed an operation in the summer after he was diagnosed with a muscle tightening condition and has made just two appearances as a substitute since.

McCall added: "Over the last month he's been spot on - he's had a couple of little niggles and not been able to train for a few days, but his attitude has been very good, and he understands."

HB, where have you got your info from?

As a possible replacement for Topp, what about ROBBIE FOWLER!!

"MARINERS CHIEF EYES FOWLER SWOOP

Grimsby chairman John Fenty insists that there is a 'glimmer of hope' that former England striker Robbie Fowler will join the League Two club.
Grimsby chairman John Fenty insists that there is a 'glimmer of hope' that former England striker Robbie Fowler will join the League Two club.

The 33-year-old is currently with Premier League side Blackburn but is out of contract at the end of the month and Fenty retains hope that he may make a sensational move to Blundell Park.

Fenty told the club's official website: "A couple of weeks ago the manager had some discussions with Robbie and then asked me if we could potentially take it forward for Robbie to come in in a playing/coaching capacity.

"He is under contract with Blackburn until December and there is a real chance that he will get an extension there.

"But if that doesn't happen there is a glimmer of a chance that he might come to Grimsby.

"In truth we were trying to avoid this becoming a public issue but I think I needed to clarify the situation."

Jury out about Jones. Lets review after the Brentford game, give the guy a couple of matches.

Think letting Topp go could be Stu's first dose of public criticism. Particularly if he does well. I bet Stu is hoping he doesn't stay i England anyway. I think he will stillbe a success somewhere and we will have lost both money and a talent.

I wish the lad (TOPP) all the best. I just hope he comes back to V.Parade scores a goal and celebrates in front of McCall's staring face.

(SORRY LONG POST)- "Waynus"-Jones could be a good prospect,based on your previous knowledge.I am still a little sceptical,and agree with your thinking that he may be recalled when we have got him 'Match-fit'.
I still think Topp has been 'nobbled'by the 'Sharks-(Agents)' and like all'City' Supporters I want the TRUTH. He will be very closely monitored,and I hope his transfer contract contains every type of clause going,for the financial benefit of Bradford City AFC. The Club needs to recoup at least £35.000. Plus all the medical costs,accommodation costs,transfer costs from Chile,and wages paid for No Football Return!.
I truly hope this Topp business, is not a naive management failure on the part of Stuart McCall. Stuart is still learning Player Management. Highly skillful players require delicate control,to extract the best from their abilities. They are similar to highly tuned/trained racehorses,any Bad Control of them stops them from performing/winning.

Finaly,we both agree that the City defence is still not performing correctly. The first goal from Leyton Orient came from an unchallenged run at the target,allowing the striker to shoot(Unchallenged).
The second goal occured,when Citys' defenders were corner side of the ball coming in ,but neither of the defenders jumped or challenged the striker for the crossed ball.
These are basic errors that I still find incredulous,when we have THREE very experienced defender coaches. Whom can not be training the defenders,based on numerous errors occurring, in all the previous matches to date. I accept there are players injured,and there are those to return, when 'match fit'. But they make similar basic errors,when they play. So Messrs. McCall,Jacobs and Wetherall need to address these very simple basic flaws in 'Citys' defensive play. Irrespective of WHO is playing from the current squad. 2 more accomplished and experienced defenders are needed to 'lock up' Citys' defence. If we are to achieve AUTOMATIC PROMOTION.
My reasons for the need for 2 more Strikers,still stand,to achieve the automatic objective. How the 'Board' are to finance and support Stuart McCall, in this quest for automatic promotion, is another subject for urgent discussion.

Freddy, I understand what you are saying, but I still can't see us signing more defenders whilst we have Bower, Ainge, Heckie & Arnison on the bench. If they are deemed not good enough, thus the need to bring in new players, then we need to get shut before we look to bring in the new players.

What is the point in bringing in two more players and continue to pay the wages of the players they have effectively been brought in to replace?

In relation to strikers, again, I understand why you want 2 more, especially after Topp's release. However, would McCall leave out Thorne, Boulding and Conlon as his current main three strikers? Would any potential signing be happy to become 4th and 5th choice? McCall is going to perm 2 from the above 3 players so any additions would have to settle for a bench place. Is any half decent striker going to accept sitting on the bench behind one of the 3 players mentioned, especially as we are in League 2?

I still think Topp will be replaced by Jones permanently in January as he can cover both winger and striker positions.

Should Bazza not get another contract in January, we obviously will need to replace him. Is Billy Paynter still around as he could possibly play the role of target man?