FROM cramming onto the 09:55 until stepping back onto the platform in Blackburn, slightly less steadily at 8pm, Saturday was more like what I had hoped this season would be, writes Simon Smith.

Being reasonable I don't expect a weekly 4-0 win. I'd support Manchester United from my pub stool if I did. But I'm sure we all expected the players to at least match our commitment in taking 2000 noisy folk to sunny Yorkshire. 

The main job is to make this season of jolly local awaydays a mere break from the soul-sapping trips to Reading and Norwich. 

The group hug at the end may well have been playing to the gallery but it was sentiment well-earned. The 'Richie Smallwood song' once again proved that the lack of atmosphere at Ewood has always been at least partly down to the club. Years of playing soporific stuff like Coldplay and Oasis-wannabes, ignoring the obvious ramping-up-the-crowd anthems. 

The players take the blame for the Doncaster result but the flatness of the build-up was like a low-key cricket match. Come on Rovers, get it right. 

The reverting back to a 4-4-1-1 formation/4-2-3-1 when attacking paid dividends. Players were closer to each other to provide cover and most Bradford attacks were cut off at source. The last quarter of an hour may have been nervy but an air of calm had settled around me, although that may have been the Staropramen. 

Games are now coming thick and fast. Not all teams will set out a formation like Bradford and not all sides will want to play football. The likes of Bradley Dack, Craig Conway and Elliot Bennett will have to pick the lock of many a parked bus this season. 

One hopes Dominic Samuel can continue his scoring run and his impressive work-rate.

Whatever the outcome tonight, let's add our voice to the sound of the crowd on Saturday.