So with Christmas fast approaching the league is starting to take shape. However where do you think the Bantams will end up by May next year.

I’ll put my head on the block. I think we’ll get in the playoffs.

 

City players congratulate Whaley Photo by T&A

Bradford finally won for the first time in six games as they overcame a poor Grimbsy side with a convincing win at Blundell Park.

It was new signing, Simon Whaley, who opened the scoring after McCall decided to start the former Preston player in place of Chris Brandon.

Whaley found space outside the box after a long ball from City keeper, Eastwood and picked his spot leaving the Grimsby keeper with no chance.

That’s how it stayed until after the break when the Bantams double their lead on 60 minutes. This time it was centre back, Steve Williams, getting the faintist of touches after an uncleared corner.

With the home side pushing for a comeback the Bantams capitalised, this time through in-form striker, James Hanson.

The former Co-op worker striking from 20 yards eight minutes from time to pile the misery on Mariners’ new boss, Neill Woods.

Read the full match report on the T&A here.

See more reaction from the match plus the goals on the BBC website.

Any Grimsby fans need not worry. Here’s a helping hand from a ‘friend’.

Evans misses the vital penalty Photo by: Andy Garbutt

Bradford will be wondering what might have been on saturday after they could only manage a draw against Accrington Stanley.

Gareth Evans missed a penalty late on for the Bantams as the home side looked for three points after a hard earned point against Bournemouth.

Bradford took the lead through an own goal by Accrington defender Phil Edwards on 20 minutes.

However, ten minutes after the restart the visitors equalised as former Bantams striker, Michael Symes, placed a neat finish into the corner of the goal to level the match.

Both sides had chances to win it but it will be Evans and City who will be kicking themselves.

Full match report on the T&A

Simon Whaley is determined to repay the faith shown by Bantams boss McCall by giving him a chance. The midfielder completed his loan move earlier today after McCall had confirmed at the beginning of the week that he was looking for reinforcements after a heavy list of injuries began to accumulate

The former Preston man has spoken about his fustration after moving to Norwich in the summer and finding his first team places hard to come by since Bryan Gunn was sacked earlier in the season.

More on this story can be found here.

Bradford have made their second loan signing of the season. Midfielder, Simon Whaley, has joined from League One side Norwich City until January 2nd next year,

The former Preston man has already been out on loan at League Two rivals, Rochdale. However they were unable to agree a new deal and the Bantams swooped for the 24 year old.

For more on the signing of Whaley from the official site click here

Stuart McCall has revealed he is in the market for another striker. The Bradford boss has had problems in recent weeks with Peter Thorne out with a recurring injury, Michael Boulding out with a virus which wont go away and now James Hanson has picked up an injury after the Port Vale clash last week, which forced him to miss the weekend game against Bournemouth.

McCall needs a striker Photo by Nigel Wilson

 

Leon Osbourne also picked up an injury in the reserves last week and is expected to be on the touchlines for a while.

That has left City’s options very limited up front and saw Michael Flynn take up the reigns as the supporting striker at the weekend, for Gareth Evans who was also not 100% fit. The former Macclesfield man has been struggling with a toe injury which he picked up against Notts County in the FA Cup two weeks ago.

It is not clear whether McCall will ask for favours from former clubs Rangers or Sheffield United, but it is expected that a deal will be completed before the next home game against Accrington, this coming saturday.

The deadline for loan deals is the 26th November should McCall wish to further strengthen his squad before the run of games leading up to Christmas.

Bradford battled to a draw against League Two leaders Bournemouth at Valley Parade. The match wasn’t one for purists with a scrappy display from both sides. However it demonstrated City’s ability to compete with the best sides in this league and gave further evidence that they could challenge at the top end of a competitive league.

Photo by Telegraph & Argus

The Bantams went behind after 33 minutes when Brett Pittman slotted in from close range. However, Bradford drew level less than ten minutes later after a neat threaded pass from Bullock found the fit again Gareth Evans, who rounded the keeper and coolly finished.

For the full match report click here

Stuart McCall will be cursing his luck this morning with the news that Leon Osborne will be out of action for a long spell. The youngster was injured in the reserves match against Grimbsy Town yesterday at Blundell Park.

McCall told the Telegraph & Argus: “There are no bones broken but ligament damage can take just as long to heal. We’ll get a better idea when the swelling has gone down but unfortunately it looks a bad one.”

McCall will now have to consider some loan signings in order to cover the current injury crisis that has hit the club. However, some good news is that right-back, Simon Ramsden and striker Gareth Evans have returned to training and may be available for the weekend clash against top of the league, Bournemouth.

Former Bradford player, Barry Conlon also played in this match.

It seems the jury is still out on Chris Brandon. He’s a local lad and a Bradford fan but has failed to make as big an impact as people expected, but what do you think?

Photo by: Anthony McMillan

It was yet another tense finale at Valley Parade last night in the Johnstones Paint Trophy and it was the Bantams who once more progressed to the next round after a tense penalty shoot out that saw Simon Eastwood crowned the Bantams hero.

With injuries and suspensions taking their toll on the City squad, McCall decided to include Matthew Clarke and hand a start to young central midfielder, Luke Sharry. Zesh Rehman was used in the anchor role in midfield due to Lee Bullocks suspension and Boulding replaced the injured Gareth Evans.

The Bantams, not for the first time this season, started slowly and the visitors deservedly took the lead through John McCombe in the 27th minute. The Bantams struggled to find any real tempo or momentum in their play and the home side went in at the break 1-0 down leaving the Bradford fans fustrated.

McCall has often been criticised for not reacting early enough in matches when needs must, especially when it comes to substitutions. However half-time saw the introduction of two players, Chris Brandon and James O’Brien, replacing the out of sorts Michael Boulding and youngster Luke Sharry.

O’Brien came on to the pitch with a point to prove and showed in the second half why McCall had decided to offer him an 18 month contract last month. He provided the corner that got the Bantams level, the reliant Michael Flynn nodding in to the back of the net.

The momentum was suddenly with the Yorkshire side and, after chances for both sides, the Bantams deservedly took the lead. Luke O’Brien’s free-kick was headed home by Birthday Boy James Hanson and the home fans found their voice.

However, it wasn’t long before the Valiants were back level. Rob Taylor with the finish after some slack defending and some good work from Vale’s Louis Dodds.

The tie went to penalities, both subtitutes, Brandon and J O’Brien failing to convert for the Bantams while Dodds, Taylor & Yates saw their efforts saved by Eastwood.

Former Bamber-Bridge defender, Steve Williams, was given the opportunity to send the Bantams through. The centre-back didn’t show an ounce of nerves, hitting the ball high into the roof of the net to send the Bantams through to the Semi-Finals and sending the home fans happy after yet another pulsating cup-tie.

Read the full match report on the T & A website here