Bradford v Grimsby quotes

Posted Saturday, April 10, 2021 by PA

Grimsby manager Paul Hurst is yet to decide whether Stefan Payne will play for the League Two bottom side again this season following his red card for appearing to headbutt team-mate Filipe Morias in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bradford.

The incident occurred at the end off the first half, three minutes after defensive-midfielder Anthony O’Connor had scored what proved to be Bradford’s winning goal with a close-range header from Gareth Evans’ cross.

Payne, apparently annoyed that former Bradford player Morais had delivered a misplaced pass, then appeared to headbutt his own player and was shown the red card by Sheffield referee James Bell as the players left the field after a minute’s stoppage time had been allowed.

Hurst, who came close to being appointed Bradford manager after Stuart McCall was sacked last December, said: “I am angry.

“It is something you can’t defend. The two players have let the club down, the pair of them. They have let their team-mates down and the fans down.

“As far as he game is concerned, they made it more difficult than it needed be. I didn’t see it because I was making my way down the tunnel, but clearly it merited more than being a little spat.

“Now I have to concentrate on what to do next for the good of the team. The club will be taking action. That will remain private, but it won’t be swept under the carpet.

“He will get a three match ban for being sent off, but I have got some thinking to do before I decide whether he plays again for the club before the end of the season.”

The result ended Grimsby’s eight-match unbeaten run and they remain bottom of League Two seven points from safety with only six matches left.

Bradford manager Mark Trueman said: “I heard the two players having a little moan when the whistle went and I heard from our players that someone had been sent off.

“It’s obviously disappointing. Grimsby are fighting for their lives and emotions are high. Obviously he has not kept his emotions in check.

“I had to keep our players focused and see the game out and win it. Sometimes when a team goes down to 10 men they get everyone behind the ball and become hard to beat.”

The result leaves Bradford three points off a play-off place and Trueman said: “It was a hard-earned three points.

“We knew the qualities Grimsby had got. They came into the game with an eight-match unbeaten run and we had to be aware of the threat they posed and find our way to win.

“Their aerial threat is key to their game and we had to keep our concentration.

“We were disappointed we hit the crossbar in the second half – that was our biggest chance to increase our lead, but I will take a 1-0 win at this stage of the season.

“All we an do is to keep winning matches and see where we end up.”