Bradford: Clarke, Nolan, McCall, Wetherall, Carbone, O'Brien (Myers 9), Windass (Ward 79), Sharpe (Whalley 69), Atherton, Petrescu, Hopkin.

Subs Not Used: Davison, Lawrence.

Booked: Windass.

Leicester: Flowers, Rowett, Impey, Elliott, Taggart, Eadie, Lennon (Gilchrist 90), R. Savage, Izzet (Cottee 74), Akinbiyi, Guppy.

Subs Not Used: Royce, Davidson, Collymore.

Booked: Rowett, Taggart.

Att: 16,766

Ref: S Bennett (Orpington).

Real City --- Real People.

Bradford City 0 Leicester City 0

Peter Gilbert 26.8.00
My love affair with Bradford, it's City and it's people continued today and in a way I'm almost glad we didn't beat them although we could have and should have, since we were by far the superior side.
The moment I stepped out of my car and looked around quizzically a Bradford fan enquired politely:
'Do you know the way to our stadium?'
I assured him I did, and set off walking up the hill. I was a lone fox in a sea of bantams and immediately conversations were struck up with me.
'How do you think you'll do today?'
'Bye heck you've done right well over the last couple of seasons.'
'If we can do half what tha's done we'll be right chuffed.'
Lovely people and one of them stuck by me almost paternalistically till he'd shown me where the visitors go in. On the way he'd give me a potted history of Bradford FC stretching back to the time when he watched them in Div 1 North through to the fire disaster and recent successes. He bore no grudge against Rodney Marsh and thought only good would come out of the publicity, since the haircut was being sponsored and the money was all going to the Bradford burns unit. He also gave me the socio economic run down of Bradford, the declining textile industry and how he saw the possible future development. It was all fascinating stuff.
After the match walking back to the car there were loud statements made about Leicester City once again for my benefit.
'Class team Leicester.'
'They've done brilliant.'
'Real footballers they are and full of British players.'
Yes Rodney Marsh had his head shaved, it was all rather low key although there was someone dressed as an executioner with axe and hood, who looked as if he could do some real damage. If Rodney thought he'd made a significant mark in the City he must have been disappointed, he had his head shaved, the sponsor money was handed over and we got on with the game in hand. There was no hype or great jubilation.
During the course of the game it was good to see players accepting referee's decisions too without squawking or seeking an analyst, the game was played and the players just got on with it.

By rights we should have won. We had the chances but Matt Clarke in the Bradford goal who was quite rightly made man of the match got down across and up to everything that was fired in at him.
Eadie had three great shots, and Akinbiyi had one but Clarke got down to them. Bradford had little or nothing by way of reply, as Leicester completely dominated the first half.
The team as a unit played well with PT's passing and possession game bearing fruit in terms of domination. Only Carbone had anything by way of reply but even he was reduced to shooting from long distance.
Midfield looked good, more industrious and more gritty though still not quite there.
Savage was inspirational and Elliott very neat. I did sense some frustration with Guppy from within the ranks, he still showed a considerable lack of confidence and his crossing lacked his normal precision. PT wants to tell him he likes him or ask him to leave, I can't bear to see him suffer this way.
Eadie played the game like an electric hare and in the second half Akinbiyi joined in with some very forceful running.
In the latter stages of the game Bradford, turned up the heat with Flowers having to make two good saves but that was nothing by comparison with what Clarke had to do at the other end who continued to frustrate the City forwards who didn't help with rather tame efforts.
So after three games we haven't conceded a goal and scored one. We have four points………this has to be a good start and there are clear signs that PT is beginning to stamp his mark on the team……they look all the better for it.
Players

Flowers: Another solid reliable performance.
Rowett: This bloke fascinates me, he plays football like he was James Bond. Totally cool at all times, never a hair out of place, no mud on his legs, no grass stains on his shorts.
Elliott: Outstanding
Taggart: Outstanding
Impey: Improving, he took the game to them.
Guppy: Come on Steve mate, you can do it, show him will you.
Lennon: Won some important balls and passed well.
Izzett: Still recovering from Euro 2000
Savage: Tenacious again and very effective.
Akinbiyi: It's coming, he's quick, he now needs to finish.
Eadie: Great game all round, four good shots *****Star Man

Subs:
Cottee: Slotted straight in to replace Izzett as Eadie dropped back
Gichrist: Replaced Lennon in dying seconds…….never touched the ball.

A satisfactory result with Collymore warming up menacingly on the touchline.