Bromley vs Bradford City preview
In their last eight league games, Bradford City have only conceded one goal. How’s that for a stat?
Bromley might have won their last three and are unbeaten in four, but make no mistake, Bradford pose a very different challenge.
To put the Bantams’ run into even more context, they have only lost one of their last twelve games, and that was to third-placed AFC Wimbledon.
It’s a run that has put them firmly in contention for an automatic promotion spot, and any Bromley fan who was present at the away game in August wouldn’t be surprised by this.
Granted, Bromley were down to ten men within the opening nine minutes, but only a few teams have schooled Bromley this season and Bradford were one of them.
They had the Ravens chasing shadows for much of the match, irrespective of the numerical imbalance.
In terms of stats, Bradford have the second-best defensive record in the league, but that doesn’t mean they’re all defence and no attack.
Their talisman Andy Cook may have been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, but they secured highly-rated 21-year-old Michael Mellon on loan from Burnley to fill the void.
Despite losing their star striker, the goals haven’t dried up for the Bantams. In fact, they appear to have spread out among the team, with different players chipping in to get them over the line.
Promotion feels like a must for Bradford this season, which might explain why they recruited so heavily in the January transfer window.
Valley Parade welcomed Joe Hilton (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mellon (Burnley - loan), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace – loan), Romoney Crichlow (Peterborough), Tommy Leigh (MK Dons), Brandon Khela (Birmingham City loan), and George Lapslie (Gillingham).
The team’s impressive league form suggests this raft of new arrivals hasn’t upset the balance. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Should Bromley expect a long night at the office?
If the Ravens get a go-ahead goal then I think we will really have a game on our hands. However, if Bradford strike first, I suspect they will feel wholly comfortable with the freedom of a one-goal lead. That’s what a mean defence and good run will do for you.
We’ve seen Bromley play aggressive, front-foot football before, and when they do it well they really rattle higher-profile clubs. That’s the energy they will need to summon to get the better of Bradford.
If they can be excellent out of possession and pick the right moments to spring forward, they will give themselves a good chance. It’s the Bromley way and it pays dividends more often than not. But if they start the game in the same sloppy and slow fashion we saw against Harrogate, Bradford will not let them off the hook.
I am expecting Andy to make at least one change for the game as I suspect he will want to be as robust as possible.
How would you set up?
From Bromley with Love XI
Smith
Jenkinson Sowunmi Webster Mayor
Arthurs Charles
Whitely Thompson Congreve
Cheek
Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Instagram here
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