Bradford - Nottingham
An early call here and I am backing Forest in this one. Bradford tight finances continue to disrupt the teams season as they just lost 2 more key players after loaning Windass to Hull earlier in January. Now they lost a key defender in the face of Nathan
Doyle, who was on a season long loan from Derby, but his parent club just sold him to Hull for a fee, reported to around the 100 k mark. This is a huge blow for bantams defense as he was playing quite well and is regarded as an exciting prospect for the future. Obviously Bradford are short of money so couldnt place a rival bid and lost him to Hull. On top of this they sold one of their most creative players - Jermaine Johnson. The Jamaican international left for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and now the only creative player in Bradford midfield I see is Steven Schumacher.
However manager Todd managed to bring 3 players on short term loans to cover the holes. An unknown young french defender from Lyon youth school, recently contracted to Charlton, but never played in the first team. He had a short spell on loan at Bristol City but failed to impress. I doubt he will cover well for
Doyle.
In attack they snapped Southends Billy Paynter. He was doing fine in Port Vale, but lost himself later on in Hull and Southend. However a very dangerous striker
at this level. Good signing taking i mind the short finances.
The third player on loan is Bruce Dyer. A much travelled striker, once crowned the most expensive teenager in english football when Palace bought him for over 1 million pounds from Watford 13 years ago, if I am not wrong. However recently he isnt showing anything special and couldnt break into first team action even in Doncaster. However I see some potential in him to replace Windass as bantams target man and revive his carreer.
So basicly Bradford lost 3 key players in 15 days. This can not go unnoticed and even they brought in several players with potential I would give them some time to adapt first.
On the other hand Forest are kinda short of form lately. Still the points at the top are quite tight, but surely they have to get back on the winning track as soon as possible. One notable player brought in and its a quality one - former Forest trainee Prutton joined from Southampton. I rate him quite high and especially in League 1 I think he will boost Forest midfield.
All in all I believe Forest will put Bradford defense on constant pressure in order to claim the vital points.
Nottingham Forest 4/10 @ 2.40 Expekt :booty