Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer was left frustrated after his side lost 3-2 at fast-improving Cheltenham Town last night and delivered a sober verdict on what needs to happen if his team is to improve results.
After venting his frustration at not capitalising on an impressive opening forty-five minutes, Bowyer explained he felt his team were not cutthroat enough in both boxes when speaking to the club’ official website after the final whistle. He said: ‘When you come away from home and score two goals, you expect to be taking at least a point home.’
‘All three goals were poor ones to concede, so we are really disappointed.’
‘We were devastating on the counter-attack and could have easily scored more goals than we did.’
‘It was one of them games which left me a little baffled, and I am very disappointed to have come away with nothing.’
He then ruefully added: ‘We were a bit too nice, at times. We have to be better in both boxes and be ruthless, both in attack and defence.’
Bradford took the lead through Anderson on fifty-one minutes before goals by Rielly and Doyle-Hayes gave Michael Duff’s men the lead in a pulsating second half. Richards-Everton than gave Bradford hope with an equaliser before Ben Tozer powered home a header with ten minutes remaining to give the Robins all three points.
The result leaves the Bantams in ninth place while Cheltenham Town moves up to third in the early League Two reckonings.
Our View
Bowyer promised to add some steel to a Bantams side he identified has not having a hard enough competitive edge during their League One relegation campaign last season.
Despite a busy summer and some improvement, it sounds like Bowyer still believes his side have a soft underbelly.
Four wins from nine games is not a bad start by any means, but Bowyer needs to get his new squad to gel a little quicker if he is not to come under pressure.
He is still looking for his best team, but with tremendous support execting nothing less than promotion, he needs to find it quick.
However, any fans that are thinking yet another change of manager might be the answer should take a look at Cheltenham.
They have given Duff some time and space to build, and they are now reaping the rewards with something special going on in Gloucestershire.
It can not be too much longer before a bigger club comes knocking for the impressive Cheltenham Town manager’s services.
