Gab Sutton weekly: Why Bradford look League One-bound

Bradford are eight points clear in the race for automatic promotion from League Two, albeit with the teams in the Play-Offs having games in hand. Could they be on for their most successful season since the League One Play-Off Finalists of 2016-17?

Diversified approach play

In the first half of the season, critics could have justifiably said that Bradford City were overly reliant on Andy Cook, both for build-up play, and for goals.

In the first half of the season, Cook scored 12 (40%) of City’s 30 league goals, until he was forced off through injury in New Year’s Day’s 2-2 draw at Barrow.

Perversely, the Bantams have since found astonishing, title-winning form, being victorious in 10 of the subsequent 12 league games, and in one of the other two they drew at Newport having played the whole second half with 10 men.

The theory goes that, without Cook’s target man presence to aim for from deep, Graham Alexander’s side improved the quality of their build-up play, with penetrative passes down the sides for replacement Calum Kavanagh and others to chase.

There’s a hint of logic to the idea that, whereas the floated long balls to Cook would lead to a slow tempo, the more zipped passes they played instead were conducive to a higher tempo.

So, we can put a teaspoon of stock in the idea that Cook’s absence kind of worked in their favour, that it forced them to play the kind of football they might not have had the inclination to otherwise.

At the same time, there’s no doubting Cook’s brilliance at this level, or how good he’d be if you put him in this team now.

Sarcevic and Pattison impact

Sarcevic and Pattison’s returns from injury coincided directly with Bradford’s stark upturn in fortunes, as they went from Play-Off outsiders to by far the best team in the league on form.

The running power they brought to City’s four-man midfield was crucial, partly to the vigorous press we’ve seen from the West Yorkshire outfit, and partly to bringing the best out of Richie Smallwood.

Earlier in the season, Smallwood was given far too much ground to cover at times, notably Doncaster at home in October where he had no support in the deeper areas.

As such, he couldn’t really influence games because he was worried about what would happen if the opposition played around him into a gaping chasm.

With Sarcevic and Pattison in the team, Smallwood has had the licence to put challenges in and stamp his authority on games.

This team. ❤️💛#BCAFC pic.twitter.com/YrXHzED1IB

— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) March 7, 2025

Squad game

Sarcevic and Pattison may have had that pivotal initial impact, but what they’ve helped create is a confident, front-foot side that is now good enough to operate without them.

The duo were absent through injury against Cheltenham in midweek, yet still City won 3-0, with two goals from George Lapslie, and two assists from Jamie Walker – after the duo came in for Pattison and Sarcevic.

On this evidence, the Bantams have the depth to navigate the run-in.

Loanees impressing

Jack Shepherd has proved an inspired acquisition on loan from Barnsley, with the centre-back thriving, typically on the left of a back-three.

Elsewhere, Brandon Khela has brought youthful exuberance from Birmingham, Jay Benn has brought flashes of attacking quality from Lincoln, albeit more recently he’s struggled to displace stalwart Brad Halliday, while Burnley’s Michael Mellon is starting to catch fire.

Kavanagh had been starting up top at the beginning of the run, starting with January’s 3-1 victory over Grimsby, since which he’s scored the only goals of the games against Carlisle and Morecambe, but has otherwise been hit-and-miss in front of goal.

Mellon, though, comes with greater pedigree, having flourished at this level in the first half of last season, scoring 13 goals in 22 games for Morecambe, whilst bringing an infectious energy and excellent link-up play.

Oldham boss Micky’s son, he’s had to be patient, but has now started each of the last five, and scored in both the previous two.

Everyone else dropping points

Last season, Stockport’s autumnal 12-game winning streak, Wrexham’s Hollywood money, and Mansfield’s class and experience made the automatic promotion race something of a closed shop.

We don’t have that this year: Walsall were by far the league’s stand-out side up to January, but even Mat Sadler’s side have suffered from losing star forward Nathan Lowe to recall by Stoke.

Elsewhere, Doncaster are aggressive and energetic but not refined, Notts County frequently drop silly points at home, Wimbledon can struggle to score goals when Matty Stevens doesn’t, while Port Vale have individual quality without a coherent identity.

All those mentioned are comfortably top seven sides, but perhaps in different circumstances they would have to settle for the Play-Offs, whereas with how open the automatic promotion race is, they still have a good chance of a top three spot.

All those factors play into Bradford’s favour, having hit their stride at the perfect time.