Bradford (Park Avenue) interim manager Marcus Law says he plans on using this week to make some changes in personnel after a fourth defeat in five matches this season.

Law, who replaced Garry Thompson just two games into the campaign, oversaw the side’s first point of the season last week with a 1-1 draw at Gateshead, but any work was undone on Saturday with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Alfreton Town.

“It didn’t get off to the best of starts,” Law said. “We got here and our centre half Nelson (Digbeu) has broken down, meaning we had to bring in Ryan Cresswell earlier than we probably wanted to.

“At the end of the day, he’s missed 10 days without training or playing due to family reasons, which in the grand scheme of things are much more important.

“We’ve had to throw him in there, and in fairness to him he’s not done much wrong, he was a bit off the pace, but that was going to happen, I can’t put him at fault.

“Ultimately, they’ve had a penalty, an own goal and two bad backpasses, and it’s 4-0. That says everything about what this group is at the moment.

“There’s some naivety, some bad decision making, and that’s what’s hurting them.”

Two of Alfreton’s goals came from underhit backpasses, including the opener which came against the run of play.

“I’ve said to them after the game that it’s not their fault they’ve been put together,” Law said. “This is a very young side, and ultimately there’s a core who really need to be pitching at three or four to learn and develop.

“It’s just a bit too much for them, and it’s hurting the players who are of this level and who are good enough.

“Elliott Holmes, Alex Hurst, Isaac Marriott, there’s players there, and they need support to play at this level, but at the moment they’re just not getting it.

“We’ve had some committed performances, but it’s just the quality and the know-how that is lacking. Fortunately we’ve got a week ahead where we can move some things around.

“I’ve asked the lads to be a bit honest, and ask themselves if they are doing themselves justice.

“Some of them lads are doing as much travelling as me, and that’s a worry. I don’t understand why.

“I’m travelling a distance but I’m not playing. Some of the squad are matching that, and they just need to be playing in and around their area, they should be no more than an hour away.

“Again, it’s not their fault, they’ve all been whacked on contracts which makes me a lot more restricted financially.

“But they’ve just got to be honest and ask themselves; ‘is this the level you can compete at at this moment in time?’

“It’s now up to 18 goals against, with only the one for, and that says a lot.”

With a rare midweek free of action early in the season, Law revealed he has arranged a friendly to take a look at some potential new faces.

“We’ll get through the weekend and have some honest conversations on Monday,” he said. “I’ve arranged a friendly for this week to look at some players in the squad and some I’d like to bring in.

“It’s difficult to bring in players when you’ve got so many on contract, but I think that it’s an honest enough group, all of whom just want to be playing.

“We’ll certainly help the players as much as we can, but there’s got to be a bit of humanity about it all, we don’t want to make life difficult for people as it’s not their fault.

“I’ve worked in the National League and I didn’t even have that many players on contract then. I’m still getting my head round why what’s happened has happened.

“I don’t think it’s the owner’s fault, I think they’ve gone from one extreme to the other in terms of an over inflated budget to a very restricted one, and then adding all the players on contract within that restriction.

“So we want to protect the core that have something about them, and that we can develop, and have some honest conversations amongst the group, and have a week where we can make some changes.”

Despite the scoreline, Avenue did have their moments at North Street with an Akeem Hinds strike ruled out for offside before Rod Orlando-Young sliced wide early in the second half.

“We actually started the game very brightly,” the interim boss said. “Then we had the goal ruled out which was a matter of inches.

“All in all, we have got some very nice footballers, who have been educated through the academy system.

“The side competed on Tuesday at Gateshead because of the way they play, pretty on the eye, trying to open play up, and that suited us.

“Alfreton are a different beast. They are no nonsense, very experienced non-league team, who make good decisions due to their know-how.

“That shows you the gulf in terms of the education that this side is missing, we just haven’t competed.

“Yes, we’ve played good football and we had the offside goal, and another great chance at 2-0 which could have changed things, but again, a more experienced player probably puts that away.

“Of course it’s going to be difficult to attract players and find the ones that suit what we need, but I’m not going to shy away from the challenge.

“I’m not going to make excuses, I’m not going to blame anyone, the situation is what it is, but the decision making in the past has made our job very hard, but we’ve got to get on with it, and that’s what we’ll do.”

Bradford (Park Avenue) can announce a double signing ahead of today’s game with Kidderminster Harriers. 

The two new signings were contemplated ahead of the new management team joining the club.

Nelson Digbeu, 22, joins from France.  The 6’ 4” centre-half from US Chauvigny has been training with the club these past few weeks. 

In addition, Amos Kabeya, 26, will join Avenue’s forward line and is also available this weekend.  He was last with Maidenhead and has spent time with multiple clubs in the non-league.

Both players immediately step into contention to make their debut against Kidderminster.

Bradford (Park Avenue) have signed both Isaac Marriott and Jaheim Headley on season long loans for the 2019/20 season.

On his move to the Horsfall stadium, Isaac Marriott commented:

“I am delighted to join Bradford (Park Avenue) and am looking forward to the season ahead. It’s a great opportunity to play games, and I’m really excited about how well our team is going to do.”

During Huddersfield’s 2016/17 season, Marriott was one of the standout players for the Under-18’s playing in 27 of 29 games. He was also called up to play for the Under-23 side.

Marriott has experienced senior game time when he played for Brighouse Town in the 2017/18 season and won the ‘Player of the Month’ award during his first month at the club.

Jaheim Headley is a strong midfielder who has played for Huddersfield’s Under-17’s side.  He has shown great maturity and decision-making skills on the pitch which has earned him the opportunity to play senior football.

Born in London, Headley grew up playing at Millwall’s academy before moving north to Huddersfield Town.

Director Gareth Roberts said:

“Huddersfield has shown its’ confidence in the club and the system of development that we have established.”

“The club’s ties with Park Avenue and its’ directors both here and the United States is a testament to the quality of football we are committed to.”

Huddersfield’s Under-19’s manager Dean Whitehead praised the young players performances after the two-a-piece draw at Horsfall:

“The game was a real test for us, it was good to see Jaheim and Isaac playing well for them (Bradford Park Avenue).”

“Overall, our young lads are developing and learning more and more every single day, it is really, really pleasing.”

Rotherham full back Akeem Hinds has signed a loan deal to Bradford (Park Avenue) until January 2020. 

Hinds came up through the Rotherham academy where he was promoted to the senior squad and given his opportunity to break into the championship sides first team. He appeared twice in the Football League Trophy.

Hinds has had loan spells before, spending a year in the NPL Division One with Frickley Athletic and Hyde United where he appeared seven times in the league as well as appearing in the FA Cup.

Akeem Hinds Commented:

“I’m delightful to be joining Bradford Park Avenue and can’t wait to get going.
I played for about an hour at the Horsfall in pre-season and it was a tough game from our point of view, particularly in the second-half.”

 Hinds Continued:

“There are some talented and hardworking lads there who I’m looking forward to getting to know and I’ll be giving it my all whilst wearing the Park Avenue shirt.”

Akeem Hinds will be available for Garry Thompson to select for his squad in tomorrow’s League opener against Curzon Ashton.

Saturday 3^rd August

3:00pm kickoff

What does the new season hold for Bradford (Park Avenue)?

 A brand-new management team and squad that has a strangely exciting feel to it! Hopefully the team can start with a bang at Curzon and kick on from there.

There seems to be a much more community feel around the club this season, more than in previous years. How important is it to have someone like Garry Thompson at the helm who knows the city so well?

Very important. He knows the area and seems to understand what the fans are after in terms of players that will work hard and involvement with the fans. Hopefully having Garry at the helm will get more Bradford City fans through the gates too.

What bit of business has impressed you the most?

I’d probably say work that has been done by the club off the pitch, changes to the ground and some high-profile sponsors for the first time in years shows we are moving in the right direction.

It seems a long time since the season finished – what’s changed since then?

A lot! It’s hard to say with so much change but I’m not sure anything will really be the same. Hopefully we will still make the play-offs.

Who will catch the eye for you this season?

 Lewis Knight. I know he was at us last year too but he’s a quality player who will be massive again for Avenue this season.

Are there any stand-out candidates for promotion?

 It’s such an open league that anybody can be up there. Spennymoor would be my tip.

What away day are you most looking forward to?

Gateshead for the simple reason I’ve never been.

And what game would you like to win more than any other any why!

Guiseley away – always has a derby feeling to it. Love winning there.

If you could steal one opposition player, who would it be?

I’d have to say Connor Branson, he was great for us last year and we will miss his input.

Predictions time – where do you think you’ll finish?

Mid-table but hope for more. Who knows, anything can happen.

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