BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 4-1 Bradford match | OneFootball

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 4-1 against Bradford.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch and the quality of the opposition…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Bradford fans, plus the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘Congratulations Toon Army. Raise a glass for Bradford’s Andy Cook. Boyhood Newcastle fan. Just back from an ACL injury and scores at St James Park. Good luck in the next round.’

‘And, he ended the night with Kieran Trippier’s shirt. I doubt that’ll be going up on eBay!’

‘He still is a Newcastle fan, he didn’t just stop supporting them when he reached 18.’

‘He’s a Bradford City legend now. We’ve stolen him.’

‘Woltermade is good on the ball for such a big guy, hopefully, he’ll settle in and score us some goals’

‘He looks like he’ll get far more assists than goals, he’s not a selfish player – we know from his sizzle reel he will take a shot when it’s on but his game seems all about setting up his team mates.’

‘Was glad to see gordon shooting more often but needs to sharpen his finishing, as do the other wingers- they’re going to get a lot more chances with big nick.’

‘51.000 great crowd’

‘I can’t be too critical of my team, Bradford. They had a huge game against Cardiff on Saturday to go top of the league and rested a lot of their first team players tonight, and the gulf in ability and pace showed. They kept battling though and it was great to see lifetime Newcastle fan Andy Cook score. Well done to Newcastle. They looked devastating at times’

‘Just travelling back to Bradford. Thanks for all the well wishes from the Newcastle fans. Gulf was plain to see. We made lots of changes and did ok and so sweet and so happy for Cooky. Let’s hope it’s back to winning ways on Saturday for City. Good luck to Newcastle for the rest of the season.’

‘Good to see former Barrow player Andy Cook back from injury and scoring tonight.’

‘Comfortable in the extreme, don’t forget these are the types of games we used to lose. Being able to have a talented and deeper squad makes that much less likely these days.’

‘No complaints. Newcastle clicked tonight, they looked a class act. We needed an average performance from them at the very least, let’s be honest.

Good workout for City against a strong Premier League team, all experience in the long run. Great strike from Andy Cook, imagine what’s possible when we get him back full time.

The boys worked really hard, good luck Newcastle on your cup defence.’

‘A more decisive result than Liverpools last night.’

‘TBF, Liverpool’s win was with a very youthful team. You showed Bradford & the competition great respect by picking a very strong side.’

‘Who is Newcastle’s go-to penalty taker these days?

Wissa doesn’t seem to take them. I’ve seen no footage of Woltemade taking one. Osula seems a bit young to be given that responsibility. I guess Gordon or Bruno?’

‘It was men against boys for the whole game.’

‘Well done Newcastle. Luckily we don’t have to play £90m of strikers most weeks in League 1.

Respect to Eddie Howe and Newcastle. Treated the opposition with respect with the quality (lots) they started the game with. That’s how top teams should approach it, but don’t. To be fair to the clarets, we did okay. There will be far better teams than us who lose by 3 or more at St James this season.’

‘Training game – how condescending to a real fan based team without squillions of foreign dough.’

‘Well done Newcastle and Bradford for such a large attendance.

Credit to you both for the respect you and your respective fans have shown for the competition and football in general (from a Blackburn Rovers fan).’

‘How much do Newcastle Ltd charge for a ticket? Cost of living crisis ? Not in Geordie-land – they’re always sold out at St James’s !’

‘Let’s be honest here, Newcastle at home against Bradford league one in the “nobody wants to win” cup…hardly anything to shout about.’

‘Whereas Tuesday the conversation was about liverpool’s proud heritage as 10 time winners.’

‘Newcastle conceded a shot from outside the box, the third one so far this season. OK maybe the edge of the box, but it was a beauty, as were the ones by Rashford and Gravenberch.

The only other goals Newcastle have conceded have been where a player has been missing. A concussed Schar missing from the position to defend Rashford’s header, and an over-exuberant Gordon leaving 10 tiring team-mates.’

‘Not so long ago we’d have drawn that game 1-1 and lost on penalties. I adore Edward and his cup mentality.’

Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Wednesday 24 September 2025 7.45pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Joelinton 17, 75 Osula 19, 87

Bradford:

Cook 79

Possession was Newcastle 77% Bradford 23%

Total shots were Newcastle 27 Bradford 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 11 Bradford 3

Corners were Newcastle 6 Bradford 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 66 Bradford 6

Newcastle team v Bradford:

Ramsdale, Krafth (Trippier 61), Thiaw, Botman (Alex Murphy 89), Hall (Livramento 61), Bruno, Joelinton, Miley, Gordon (Barnes 61), Osula, Elanga (Woltemade 69)

Subs:

Pope, Lascelles, Tonali, Willock

(Newcastle v Spurs drawn out in Carabao Cup fourth round – Newcastle United fans react – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United fixtures (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)