Bradford's slide to continue at Hartlepool
We were among those who questioned Bradford City's pre-season position as League Two title favourites, however quite how badly they've started the campaign has even taken us by surprise.
The Bantams' fourth successive season in the fourth tier, having of course begun the century in the Premier League, almost certainly won't be their last after collecting just eight points from their first ten games, a tally that leaves them in the relegation zone and seven points shy of even the play-offs.
It's comfortably the worst position they've been in after ten matches since exiting the top-flight and there's no sign of things improving any time soon. Peter Taylor's men haven't found the net in four-and-a-half hours and the reasonably high-profile addition of Lee Hendrie hasn't improved results.
It was primarily Taylor's reputation as a promotion specialist that saw Bradford so strongly fancied this season and that's taken a kicking now as a result of their dreadful form. An opportunity to restore it somewhat is provided by tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy trip to Hartlepool.
The highlight of the campaign so far for the west Yorkshire club was their run in the Carling Cup, where they knocked out Nottingham Forest then took Preston to extra time, and as Hartlepool have already leaked 18 goals in front of their own fans this term, another upset at [4.8] isn't unthinkable.
Two factors make it highly unlikely though. Bradford haven't won on their travels, while Hartlepool completely destroyed a Northampton side that thoroughly outplayed the Bantams recently 4-0 in the previous round of this competition. The Monkey Hangers are therefore worthy [1.87] favourites.
Is Taylor capable of turning things around at Bradford? Tell us what you think below...
Published: 5 Oct 2010
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