Andy Cook, Bradford City’s number nine, made the bench last night after 244 days out at home against Grimsby Town in the first game of the Vertu Trophy after being out injured due to an ACL injury he picked up on New Year’s Day away at Barrow.
The striker entered the pitch on the 65th minute when the Bantams were losing 1-0, replacing new addition Stephen Humphrys.
When he came on, it looked like he was never out injured, with him turning the game on its head and completing a successful comeback by scoring a brace.
What Graham Alexander Said on His Side’s Performance and Cook’s Return?
He said: “Once we got that in the second half, you know we started to dominate the game.
We needed to make the subs, and Andy comes up jumps for us. with two fantastic headers. So, I am delighted to win the game.
We always show off our best whenever we take to the pitch.
I think half of the game we did not do that tonight, but I am delighted with the resilience shown by the team to keep going all the way till the end.“
Alexander added: “This game was tailor made for Andy.
We were getting some good balls into the box, and it’s something that Andy feeds off of, and he can just divert the ball towards goal.
I am delighted for him; it has been a hard shift for him, and it is great to have him back.
Having him back on the bench tonight is a huge boost to everyone at the football club.”
Andy Cook’s Bradford City History
The 34-year-old has been one of the main focal points of the Bantams’ attack and a fan’s favourite in previous seasons, and some supporters could argue that the striker has been heavily relied on when he has been fit.
With the Englishman joining the Bantams in the 20/21 season on loan from Mansfield Town. Andy Cook has carried out almost 200 appearances for the Valley Parade outfit and has netted 87 goals across all competitions.
This shows how crucial the striker has been to the West Yorkshire based side, especially in the 22/23 season, where he played a massive part in the Bantams reaching the playoffs under former and current Carlisle manager Mark Hughes.
How Does Cook’s Return Help The Side?
The long awaited return of fans’ favourite Andy Cook after the big injury blow he picked up on the 1st of January.
He arguably has a huge positive impact on Graham Alexander’s side which is useful with the Bantams looking to consolidate and push up the League One table after being promoted from League Two last season on the final day.
Andy Cook will give the management team a different option off the bench, with the striker more suitable for games where Bradford need a goal and against more physical sides.
He will also add more strength and depth to the side, as Andy Cook is a proven goal scorer, and we have seen against tougher opponents that Alexander has opted to switch to a front two.
With Calum Kavanagh out injured and the club is unsure of his return, the veteran striker will add more depth with the Bantams being left with Will Swan, who has been on form and scored 5 goals in 8 games, and Stephen Humphrys, who has only managed a single goal in 8 matches for the Valley Parade outfit since signing from Barnsley in the summer.
Is Cook’s Return Good News For City?
It is on the surface of brilliant with Andy Cook being a proven goal scorer and a different type of striker compared to the other strikers Bradford have.
However, can Alexander manage his minutes well with him currently only having two other strikers fit?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
