Bantams 0 Imps 2

Four games, no goals, three defeats, 10 conceded and third from bottom of the league. It is already shaping up to be a long season. Then again, it may be a cunning plan by the management. After strong starts the previous two years that fizzled out at the business end of the campaign, they may be trying some strange form of reverse psychology. But I doubt it very much.

The game itself started much as the previous snooze fest against Vale, but with fifteen minutes of the first half remaining they sprang to life. After a sustained period of pressure, a goal goal seemed inevitable, especially when we were awarded a spot kick. But for some unknown reason, Flynn snatched the ball off regular penalty taker Thorne, refused to give it back, and then hit a shot that was saved. Surely the manager should have left no doubt as to who is the person responsible for taking pens, but it sure didn't look that way. City continued to press, Brandon once again looked the most likely to unpick the Lincoln rearguard, but time and again chances were spurned.

The second half began as the first had ended, City had by far the greater percentage of possession, but still could not take the game by the scruff of the neck. Again half chances went begging, and with the game just over an hour old, disaster struck, as the Imps were awarded a clear cut penalty, which was dispatched with aplomb. With the Bantams current crisis of confidence in front of goal, this was enough cause for concern, never mind a minute later when a strong run through a haphazard City defence resulted in a quick fire second. Game, set and match.

The boys didn't give up, but once we find ourselves in a hole such as this, we seem to lack a manager of changing tack and/or strategy. For nearly 15 minutes he made not a solitary change. We were lacking any forward momentum inn the middle of the park, where we seem to have a couple of defensive midfielders more adept at passing backwards than forwards. The game screamed out for Brandon to play inside, but this didn't happen till he had run himself to a stand still. Why are we playing the most capable target man we have as a left sided midfielder? Hansen puts in a shift, but to me lacks the confidence to take on a man, which is barely surprising when you consider his natural role is centre forward. The Keeper we have on loan does not convey much confidence to the crowd, never mind his back four, as his indecisiveness breeds apprehension throughout the defence. McCall needs to turn this ship round pronto, but I am not convinced he is up to it. I just hope I am wrong.

Kev Watch- A solid outing from our lanky hero. The first 45 minutes were a difficult spell, as the showing on the pitch threatened to induce mass unconsciousness upon the 10,000 plus who were in the stadium, but he battled through, and remained optimistic, even after our spot kick miss. His mood soured, however, once the Imps had taken a two goal lead. He even threatened to leave before the final whistle, but held firm. He soon snapped out of it though, and was good value on the walk to his car. 6/10

Pie Rating- Tonight was a sad night for my taste buds, but probably a very good one for my colon. I am officially on strike from the Bradford City concession stand. The reason? Simple. £3.20 for a bottle of barely cold Carlsberg, served in a plastic bottle. This is a massive jump of 70p from last season, when it was a still monstrously over priced £2.50. It's not enough that I drag my carcass down to Valley Parade every other Saturday to give up my hard earned, watching the quite frankly woeful football that is foisted upon me, but now you want to grab me by my ankles, tip me upside down, and give me a good shake. Hell, for an Aero chocolate bar, they had a flyer up pricing them at £1.80. Well fuck you, my hands will be remaining in my pockets. 0/10