As I was unable to attend this game, my father has supplied a guest match report.

The team selection was a disappointment in that this match seemed to be a good opportunity to give the home fans a chance to see Inamoto. He was on the bench but did not appear at any stage. I begin to wonder if "I didn't sign him" is the reason for his non-selection.

The match started predictably with Bradford showing all the aggression and high tempo; they played with two wide men with the right winger Muirhead looking particularly dangerous. The 36-year-old Windass caused some problems with his pushing and overall aggression, which was not always punished, but he was generally well controlled by Big Dave.

Albion's tactics of firing long balls from the back to either Greening or Ellington produced few chances to test the Bradford keeper. On the occasions Albion progressed through the midfield Kamara looked very dangerous as he was prepared to take players on and create openings.

It was through the midfield area that the opening goal was produced. Bradford were playing a high defensive line from the start and Carter finally produced a good ball over the top for Ellington to finish with fine style. The Duke at last showed the finish of a striker who can score 20 goals a season - it was very encouraging.

The second goal again came from another spell of good passing football. Greening was fouled near the by-line and from Carter's well taken free kick, Kamara got his name on the score sheet with a powerful header. Unfortunately, as half-time approached, Kamara, by far the most impressive Albion player in the first half, was injured following a midfield tackle. He attempted to run it off but he eventually had to be replaced. It seemed the ideal opportunity to bring on Inamoto, but Robson for some reason chose to introduce Riccy Scimeca.

This change did not seem to be handled too professionally as some players, notably Chaplow, did not appear to know where to play. As a result of a sloppy defensive response, Bradford got a goal they hardly deserved. Half time appeared and Albion had lost the one player in Kamara who looked to have the skill and directness to influence the game in Albion's direction. It is worth saying that the referee was probably the star man in doing a good job of impersonating Rob Styles; he was so fussy that the game had little flow with so many stoppages.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first until Kanu replaced Greening on the hour. After his introduction, Kanu ran the game playing just behind the front two strikers .The game suddenly became very simple - the ball was passed from player to player on the ground and it wasn't long before Kanu opened up the defence with a through ball for Ellington to run onto a lob the keeper for his second goal. The procedure was repeated a short while later for Earnshaw to open his account for the season.

The result looks good but it does not overcome the basic problem of finding the players that are going to be creative from midfield. Chaplow looks good when he has got the ball but it was a result of his sloppiness in giving the ball away that caused the red card for Albrechtsen. Carter produced some good play in patches, setting up the first two goals, but his work rate and his overall awareness when Albion are not in possession needs to improve. He has the physicality to impose himself but at the moment lacks that presence. Greening looked a little jaded and probably needs a short break.

Clement is not yet back to the level of performance reached at the end of last season , was guilty of lack of concentration near the end of the game when Windass drifted onto a good through ball and was unlucky to miss the target with his volley. Kuszczak had little opportunity to shine as Bradford had very few shots on goal, but what I could not understand is why his only method of restarting play was a long ball for headers when, without Gera, Campbell or Horsfield, we did not have a tall player to take advantage. When Kanu appeared this tactic was exploited much more effectively.

Big Dave's first game was OK - his size and bulk gave their two forwards more than they could handle. As usual, his distribution left a lot to be desired, as did Watson's who did not make the impression on the game that should be expected from his experience.

In summary, the game was spoiled by a poor referee but Albion did not pass the ball with any conviction till Kanu stamped his class on the game. The goals scored by the strikers should boost confidence though Earnie did miss a number of chance before converting a sitter. Kamara looks a good buy and I hope that he is not out for long. Defensively, Albion were not convincing and Albrechtsen, in particular , was not at his best.

Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 - Had little to do. His dead ball kicking could have been more creative.
Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - Did not look as comfortable on the left side.
Neil Clement - 6 - Not yet back to last season's form.
Darren Moore - 6 - Steady performance; his positional sense made up for a lack of pace.
Steve Watson - 5 - Poor distribution.
Darren Carter - 6 - Better than previous performances; needs to be more aware of defensive duties. Good deliveries for first two goals.
Richard Chaplow - 5 Still finding his feet at this level; good on the ball but poor positional awareness without the ball.
Jonathan Greening - 5 - Lacked his normal drive; became more effective when he came inside.
Robert Earnshaw - 6 - Took his goal well; too rushed on the other occasions when goal chances arrived.
Nathan Ellington - 7 - Finishing excellent; much improved general performance.
Diomansy Kamara - 7 - Star man in the first half, very direct and speedy; looked a threat whenever he was in possession.

Riccardo Scimeca - 5 - Had very little effect on the game, but gave nothing away.
Nwankwo Kanu - 8 - MOM. Had an immediate positive impact on the game. Made the final two goals was head and shoulders above anybody else in skill level. He made the rest of the team play football by passing to each other.