Bradford City and Lincoln City faced off last night with the Imps winning 3-0 in a game that displayed why Lincoln are in the mix for promotion.
Meanwhile, for the Bantams, the match displayed some key things that are currently going wrong at the club whilst also giving supporters things that they can take away from the game.
At the start of the season, Graham Alexander’s 3-4-3 set-up (which brought wing-backs into the centre of focus) was largely successful with the Bantams top of League One after the first ten games of the season.
However, recent performances (including the defeat to Lincoln) displayed just how the formation has flaws.
Through forcing long-balls, the Imps were able to limit the effectiveness of the formation whilst also limiting the time that the wing-backs were on the ball.
However, some of this play can be said to be down to the way that Bradford decided to act when on the ball.
Meanwhile, Bradford’s wing-backs were not given the time needed to perform skills and get past the opposition’s defence through Lincoln’s wide defenders meeting them and not giving them much time.
Bradford had a expected goals (XG) of just 0.02 during their game with Lincoln last night, demonstrating how ineffective the Bantams were in front of goal.
Furthermore, Alexander’s side had just two shots with one of these being on target. With this in mind, it can be said that the need for a new striker is at an all-time high.
Bradford are reported to be close to the signing of Ethan Wheatley on loan from Manchester United whilst also being in the race for Port Vale striker Devante Cole.
Arguably, a minimum of two strikers are needed in the final stages of this transfer window to give Bradford enough depth in the position and to give good alternatives to Alexander when a game is not going in his side’s favour.
Max Power and Jenson Metcalfe received FotMob ratings of 6.2 and 6.3 respectively, the lowest figures across the midfield four (Ibou Touray, Power, Metcalfe, and Harrison Ashby).
Meanwhile, Bradford were often run through in midfield areas with the centre of the spine arguably being weak.
At the start of the season, Power and Tommy Leigh lined up together in midfield. Now, with the partnership between him and Metcalfe not working, could the Bradford captain and Leigh be given the opportunity to work together again?
