By Jason McKeown, Tim Penfold and Alex Scott
See the first and second parts of our Bradford City squad assessment.
We continue today with looking at the centre backs on the Bantams books, and whether the options are good enough to help the Bantams concede at least 10 fewer goals this season.
Sam Stubbs
| 23/24 apps | Mins % | Goals | Assists |
| 22 (4) | 48% | 0 | 0 |
By Jason
It didn’t quite go to plan for Sam Stubbs last season. From beginning the campaign widely viewed as City’s best centre half, a slow start turned into a worrying dip and eventually led to the 25-year-old losing his place.
It seemed very plausible Stubbs might have been shipped out by Alexander in January – the recently installed City boss seemingly not fancying him. But then Stubbs made a mid-season return to the side when Alexander – dealing with injuries and learning the hard way of the folly of entrusting Ash Taylor – turned back to the former Exeter defender. Stubbs did well and started 10 games in a row, before a nasty head injury at home to Doncaster in March ended his season prematurely. He could only watch on from the sidelines, as others took his place and impressed.
But with Daniel Oyegoke and Jon Tomkinson’s loans ending, and Matty Platt’s summer departure, the door is certainly open again for Stubbs. No central defender on the books has more games for City under their belt. It’s not exactly clear who will take up at least two of the three centre back positions this season, but Stubbs has to be in with a decent shout for the important middle role.
We know what an excellent defender Stubbs can be at this level, but he’s not shown it enough over the past 12 months. From looking infallible in 2022/23, Stubbs made plenty of mistakes last time around. We need him to get back to the solid, uncompromising warrior he looked to be when first arriving at Valley Parade.
Most of all, for a player whose career has been blighted by severe injury problems, Stubbs needs a spell out of the treatment room – to rediscover his mojo and fully return to the player he can be.
What a good season looks like: He stays fit and is a cornerstone member of the defence, never letting anyone down. Eddie Youds in 1997/98.
What a great season looks like: He proves himself the leader we think he is, producing a series of inspirational performances that elevate the rest of the defence. Matt Killgallon in 2017/18.
Ciaran Kelly
| 23/24 apps | Mins % | Goals | Assists |
| 32 (2) | 67% | 0 | 2 |
By Alex
Given last year was Kelly’s first full season in English football, and the amount of upheaval he had to put up with, the Irishman did pretty well to come out of it unscathed. 32 starts, mostly on the left side of a back three, Kelly acquitted himself pretty well in the circumstances.
You wouldn’t expect him to be a world beater at this stage, and he isn’t. His performances fell off a cliff last year without an experienced centre half in the middle of the three inside him, but had recovered by the end of the season when Matty Platt returned. For a decent League Two left centre back, Kelly is pretty good.
He has a clear path to repeat or improve on his output from last season, with only Lewis Richards for competition on the left side of the back three. Given the left flank is where City are likely to be most attacking with Tyreik Wright, it seems to follow more solidity on that side of the defence will be at a premium, supporting Kelly’s case to grasp that role.
However, reports yesterday from Peterborough that they had rejected a loan offer from City for left centre back and former Bantam Romoney Crichlow imply that the City brains trust are exploring opportunities to try and upgrade on Kelly in their defence – City did go on to deny this claim, though the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. That the club are (allegedly) exploring improving their squad with a player like Critchlow, more athletic, and better in possession than Kelly, also implies they may be looking for something different out of this role in the back three.
It may be that more comes of this over the coming weeks, with Crichlow, or another player. If not, City will be hoping Kelly’s development curve ticks up after his experiences last season and he can kick on alongside two new defensive partners in the City back three. Entering the final year of his current deal, you’d think the next nine months are massive for Kelly as he seeks to establish himself in the Football League.
What a good season looks like: He establishes himself as a starter in a good defence, creating a balanced platform for the team to succeed on the left. Ciaran Kelly in 2023/24.
What a great season looks like: He kicks on and makes his position his own, especially himself as an excellent player at the level. Nat Knight-Percival in 2016/17.
Neill Byrne
| 23/24 apps | Mins % | Goals | Assists |
| 10 (6) | 23% | 1 | 0 |
By Alex
Neill Byrne joins City this summer from Stockport, and was immediately handed the Number Five shirt, presumably slated to start in Graham Alexander’s revamped backline.
The City brains trust have spoken positively of Byrne, new Head of Football Operations David Sharpe noting how he’d previously tried to sign him at Mansfield. Byrne, a tall, experienced central defender signed a two-year deal and comes off two seasons at Stockport where he helped the team to promotion out of League Two. Alexander has been open about his close relationship with Antoni Sarcevic, who has spent the last two years playing with Byrne, and you’d think will also have given him a positive recommendation.
City have been very transparent in their pursuit of experienced ‘winners’ this off-season, with Byrne certainly fitting that mould. That said, Byrne’s time at Stockport was stop-start, coming off the bench for the majority of last season before being released. It’s worth noting, for comparison purposes, last season Byrne played about as much for Stockport last season as Ash Taylor played for City. He wasn’t a critical piece in their starting eleven. Turning 32 this season, Byrne only played significant minutes in 1 (one) season in the Football League, in 2021/22 for Hartlepool, who finished 17th with a bottom six defence.
Yet, he clearly fits Alexander’s ‘type’. A tall, dependable, central defender, with successful experience last season playing on the right side, and in the middle, of a back three, Byrne brings several obvious attributes. Curiously, Stockport were a very possession-heavy team during Byrne’s spell there, and all their defenders needed to be comfortable with the ball at their feet. Whilst that doesn’t really (or even a little bit) fit with Alexander’s style of play at City to date, it will be interesting to see if this signing (and others) signal a shift in approach this season.
Byrne has lots of experience, though not loads starting at this level. Alexander and City will be hoping the experience he has gained over his career will help him ensure City’s revamped backline can maintain the performance from second half of last season and perhaps even evolve the play in possession slightly. If they are to succeed, Byrne hitting the ground running will likely play a key part.
What a good season looks like: He comes in and immediately settles into the backline, helping create a positive platform for the team. Sam Stubbs in 2023/23.
What a great season looks like: He builds on previous flashes and finds a new level a Valley Parade, leading the defence to become a strength in the team. Rory McArdle in 2012/13.
Aden Baldwin
| 23/24 apps | Mins % | Goals | Assists |
| 37 (4) | 81% | 1 | 0 |
By Alex
Completing the set of our new defenders this year we have Aden Baldwin who joins on an initial two-year contract from Notts County. The circumstances around this one are particularly interesting, with the 27-year old Baldwin coming in to replace former Bantam Matty Platt at the centre of City’s back three, who himself rejected City’s offer of a contract extension to join…Notts County and replace Baldwin.
This is a good ol’ same position head to head player trade with a clear difference in player assessment, valuation and strategy between Valley Parade and Meadow Lane. One to keep an eye on.
Coming through at Bristol City, with spells at MK Dons and Notts County, Baldwin is capable with the ball at his feet with a lot of experience in possession teams and likely a significant upgrade on his predecessors in that regard. Having defenders capable of holding possession is no bad thing, and this again seems to chime with the recruitment of Neill Byrne, and potentially a third ball playing defender, like Romoney Critchlow. Though it is notable that this is the exact opposite of the intuition the club had in January, bringing in Sam Walker to replace Harry Lewis as they were devaluing passing out from the back.
The benefit of ball playing defenders will be curtailed when their keeper is launching it over their heads to Andy Cook. And if Sam Walker is now being asked to play out like Harry Lewis to maximise the defenders’ abilities in possession, is this putting him in a position to fail? It’s one to keep an eye on as, on its face, Baldwin is a curious fit. Maybe we’re signing him for the next manager in February?
It’s even more curious when you look at Baldwin’s background. He does tick the ‘proven winner’ box, having got promoted with Notts County out of the National League. Though whilst he is a year older, Baldwin has significantly less experience than his predecessor, Platt, with 50 Football League appearances total in his entire career. The vast majority of those coming last season for Notts County who with him at the centre were the worst defence in the division (and the second worst League Two defence since 2016), conceding 86 goals over the season. Platt conversely has four seasons in League Two under his belt in four good defences, also previously won the National League (with Barrow), and is younger.
City were much better with Platt last season than without, winning only one of the thirteen league games he didn’t start. They were a promotion side with him and a relegation side without him. With this in mind it’s interesting that despite this City didn’t prioritise re-signing Platt, so much so that Notts County were able to offer him a more attractive situation. It’s also interesting the club decided on replacing him with a different style of defender, contrasting against the wider team, and doing so with the man who was at the heart of the worst defence in the division last season.
If the signing pays off, Baldwin has the potential to be transformative in the team’s style of play and perhaps unlock a new level for the team in what was a strong defence last season. Yet of all the changes since last season, this is probably the one from the outside which makes the least sense. City found a very strong defence in the second half of last season with Platt at the heart of it, yet have elected to revamp it.
Whether this gamble pays off will likely go a long way to determining how far they go.
What a good season looks like: He can pick up where his predecessor left off, maintaining the defence’s strong performance from last season, improving the style of play in the process. Matty Platt in 2023/24.
What a great season looks like: He immediately settles into the backline, and elevating the team defensively, and in possession, filling a leadership gap in the defensive line. Paudie O’Connor 2020/21.
George Goodman
| 23/24 apps | Mins % | Goals | Assists |
| 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
By Jason
There wasn’t much to encourage about Bradford City’s 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Chorley – but the second half performance of 18-year-old centre back George Goodman was definitely one bright spot. Goodman looked a revelation. Strong in the tackle, comfortable in possession and confident bringing the ball forward. He is tall and already looks the part.
Goodman has subsequently spent pre-season representing Northern Ireland at the Under-19 Euros, putting his wits against the future stars of Italy and Norway. It meant he wasn’t part of City’s pre-season trip to Austria, but his reputation is growing and he looks to be in Alexander’s longer-term thoughts. “He trained with us quite often in the second half of last season,” Alexander stated. “We brought him up because physically he can compete and he’s good technically.”
With heavy competition at the back, Goodman is unlikely to taste League Two action anytime soon. But keep an eye out for him popping up in the EFL Trophy matches. Goodman will hopefully get an opportunity along the way, and grasp it when it comes. Remember the name, as they say.
What a good season looks like: He gets a chance in the EFL Trophy and underlines his future potential, paving the way for more opportunities in the future. Reece Staunton in 2017/18.
What a great season looks like: He gets an unexpected opportunity – perhaps because of injuries – and impresses greatly, quickly elevating himself to first team player and getting 20+ games under his belt. Andy O’Brien in 1996/97.
The verdict
This is the biggest area of uncertainty going into the new season. Under Graham Alexander in the second half of last season, they became a very stingy defence which was clearly capable of providing the platform to a promotion team. And yet, when planning in the off-season, they chose Door Number Two and undertaken a revamp.
David Sharpe noted in the summer the desire to get more experience into the defence, at least implying the youth and inexperience of last year’s outfit undermined the team’s resilience. They’ve clearly prioritised that in converting the loan slots of Oyegoke, Tomkinson and Wright into the permanent signings of Johnson, Byrne and Wright. In doing so, also jettisoning some of the superfluous depth with Luke Hendrie, Ash Taylor and Timi Odusina leaving without being replaced.
In doing so, Alexander will be hoping to have built on a strength, creating more reliable resilience in his squad and evolving the style of play slightly in the backline, without losing any ground in the system last year which led to one of the division’s best defensive outfits by the end of the season.
Alexander and his assistant Chris Lucketti are gambling that they will again be able to hammer a solid defence and platform out of their new charges in the backline. They showed last season that they were able to do just that with pretty much the same defence, playing in the same structure, being transformed under their management by the end of the season. With Wright and Halliday in the wing back roles, they have good balance, and good depth with experience to come in as necessary.
Yet in pursuit of investing in these strengths, they have let one of their previous strengths walk out the door, creating a big question mark at the heart of the defence. The club have traded away certainty, and a fair amount of their athleticism and recovery pace, for some older heads who can be calmer in possession. If between Byrne, Baldwin, a healthy-again Stubbs, and perhaps another to come on the left side of the back three, they can find a combination to replace the output of Platt, Kelly and Tomkinson from the second half of last season, this gamble on resilience, depth and attacking balance could bring huge dividends.
However, if City’s promotion charge is to come off the rails anywhere, this is likely going to be where it does. Byrne and Baldwin have combined two full seasons of experience starting at this level in mediocre to abysmal defences respectively. Can they form the basis of a promotion defence? Can this be the heart of a defence conceding fewer than 50 goals?
This is probably the question heading into the new season
Tomorrow, we look at the Bantams midfield.
Categories: Previews
The magnitude of this next week for Bradford City can’t be understated 
Hope 
This means more 
This is what we’ve all been waiting for 
widthofapost.com 
The assessment of the new signings isn’t great is it. Platt – Stubbs is not much of a downgrade to me but Platt to any other centre back we’ve signed feels underwhelming now.
Interesting you feel Byrne will be the starting RCB and Baldwin the Platt replacement.
I’m really hoping GA opts for Stubbs from the off and feel the team selected vs Sunderland could be telling.
Central defence is the area of concern for most supporters. Much of the speculation with two weeks to the off is about which of our central defenders will be deployed and where. Kelly clearly must play on the left side, as things stand, and presumably either Stubbs or Byrne will take the central berth. Let’s assume for the moment it’s Stubbs, then we have a choice of Byrne or Baldwin on the right, the big man or the ball player. Alexander’s choice will tell us much about his thinking. If however he opts for Byrne in the centre, one imagines Baldwin must play. Stubbs’s strengths are aerial and in his positioning and reading of the game down the middle rather than in pace or mobility out wide. I have to say that which ever way you perm these four in the three positions, it does not inspire too much confidence that we have the makings of an impenetrable wall, a solid base to allow our attacking players freedom to be creative. That is what having the extra centre back is supposed to achieve. Yet in the modern game it is desirable that at least one is capable of stepping into midfield, especially at home where you don’t need three men marking one attacker. So I’m assuming Baldwin will start. It also seems likely Byrne, the new boy with the number 5 on his back, will initially get the nod over Stubbs. Let’s see if we get a bit of a steer tonight.
A peak Stubbs is better than a peak Platt and we saw the good side of Stubbs towards the end of last season. Frankly, his poor start and lack of confidence has to be be put down to Hughes’s crackers approach to the start of last season as even Platt suffered some drop in form, due to this.
Incidentally, I think Stubbs has lost his injury prone tag – his only major one for us, has been the freak head injury.
I was dreading Stubbs been allowed to leave – far more than Platt, simply because that form / talent he had for Exeter and then us for the second half of the 22/23, is always likely to come back if he is managed correctly.
I’m also fine with Platt going, because I do think GA wants a defence where all the back three are comfortable on the ball – hence his summer signings and targets. I don’t think Walker’s distribution is that bad, that it hinders this.
Difficult to access, but I’d be surprised if we conceded more than, say, 55 goals – which gives us a chance.
Sunderland, could tell us a lot – but let’s remember pre-season is rarely a good gauge for what will be happening from March onwards,
I haven’t read it all but (a) I do not believe that the defence is capable of conceding under 50 goals and (b) I also do not believe that our strikers are capable of scoring the goals required to gain us promotion.
Really do hope that I am wrong though!
Even though we had a plethora of centre halfs (7?) we started off the season with no pace in the back 3. And to make matters worse we were always talking about playing the high press. So all the opposition had to do was drop the ball into the space between our back 3 and keeper and we were in trouble, which they all did. Once Tomkinson came into the side this tactic didn’t work and the defence looked a lot more balanced/ solid. Stubbs is a good footballer but painfully slow, so no surprise he struggled alongside other slow players. I think the same could have been said for Taylor. In fact i thought Taylor handled the high ball better than Stubbs, and if my memory serves me correctly he wasn’t dropped, he lost his place through suspension. Hopefully we are going to start the this season with some pace in the back 3 and not make it so easy for the opp.
I will be very surprised if we don’t see a loan coming in the shape of a Critch/Tomkinson/Oygoke this season. It feels like that one pacey prem acadamy grad is needed.
Until we see the new guys play (and the shape/style) it’s hard to say what we have, but if we take Stubbs as the Platt replacement then we at least don’t look any weaker and perhaps Walker plus a settled formation might be the only improvement we actually needed.
Platt was and still is the best centre half we had in this league who was ours. I don’t understand City’s mentality of quality over quantity. Surely we could have offered what Notts County offered instead of signing two centre halves who have played most of their careers in non league. Stubbs is too slow also. If City start the season poorly and lose to MK Dons and Salford say, watch the panic and they will go back in for the Peterborough centre back on loan. Any team who wants promotion is built on a solid back four and to date I don’t think City has one.