By Jason McKeown

Suddenly they went up through the gears and there was no stopping them. This was the Bradford City winning machine back up and running. Playing in what’s becoming their own identifiable style. One that is starting to transcend whichever 11 claret and amber shirted players happen to be on the field. The Bantams really look like they’re going places, and now one of those destinations is the last four of the EFL Trophy.

This was a masterful second half performance. They took full control of a game that for 45 minutes was bitty and dreary. They bossed and outplayed opponents from a higher division. Planting the flag in the middle of Rotherham’s own patch and bullying them out of the competition. Seriously impressive stuff. And further validation that something special is brewing.

On a night with much to encourage, Graham Alexander will be grateful for the mammoth team selection headaches he’s about to face over the coming days. He made changes here and was given largely positive answers about the overall strength in depth that is currently at his disposal.  

There was a superb second debut from Romoney Crichlow, alongside a recalled and heroic Neill Byrne and Paul Huntington. In the second half there was a terrific, don’t-forget-I-exist substitute outing from Jamie Walker that did so much to tip the scales in City’s favour.  And with Sam Walker, Tyreik Wright, Richie Smallwood, Brad Halliday, Calum Kavanagh, Bobby Pointon and another second half sub, Antoni Sarcevic, also flourishing, those January arrivals must be wondering how on earth they’re ever going to break into this team.

Every member of City’s second half XI was outstanding, and it all resulted in the Bantams’ first ever victory at the New York Stadium. In fact, it’s the first time City have won inside the town of Rotherham for 21 years, an occasion when Ronnie Wallwork scored twice in a 2-1 success at Millmoor under Bryan Robson in the second tier, back in 2004. City did win away to United twice in the late 2000s, but those successes came during Rotherham’s exile to Sheffield and the Don Valley Stadium. Inside the boundaries of Rotherham, they’ve routinely come up short.

And though it’s true to say Rotherham aren’t having the best of seasons back in League One, they do boast the division’s sixth best home record, losing only three times. This humbling is only their second home defeat since the start of November.

For a time, it seemed Rotherham would continue their strong home form and make their higher divisional pedigree count. Steve Evans had kept eight of the same starting XI from the league in place, underlining how seriously the mid-table Millers’ were taking this competition. The first half was a whole bunch of nothing, as neither team seized the initiative. But for 35 minutes Rotherham were shading it, edging possession and racking up more shots on goal. Sam Walker – suddenly glancing over his shoulder, with City having signed Blackburn goalkeeper Joe Hilton on deadline day – made a brilliant stop to deny Hakeem Odoffin.  

Alexander had made seven changes to his team. He’s in the middle of a flurry of Saturday-Tuesday games, and the strong recent form has opened up the very real possibility of pushing for automatic promotion, so really this was not a game that should have been too high on the priority list. But the beauty of having a deep squad should be that you can call upon hungry, overlooked players to come in and do everything to prove their worth. The City manager largely got that here. Even though he played a weaker hand than Evans, it was one that was full of motivation and determination.

At least it was in the most part. However, Clarke Oduor won’t look back on this night fondly. It was a disappointing display from the attacking midfielder. He’s started just one league game for the Bantams since the middle of October, and having been left completely out of recent matchday squads, you would have thought he would have played with a point to prove.

But Oduor’s pressing was poor, and he routinely left Halliday doubled up by failing to track back. When he did have possession, it wasn’t much better. Oduor twice shot well wide from distance – the first of which was from a tight angle where there were much better options to pick out in the box. He was subbed off at half time and can have no complaints. A real shame for a player who clearly has talent and has shown some promise since joining 18 months ago. On this evidence, he may struggle to get another opportunity this season.

Because taking Oduor off and bringing on Jamie Walker changed the dynamic. Like Oduor, Walker has had to deal with a fall from grace that has seen the Scot slump from one of the most important names on the team sheet to not even able to make the bench. You expected Walker to attract interest from elsewhere in the January window and leave. But he’s still here. Left facing an almighty fight on his hands to get back into contention. This was not an opportunity he could pass up. And he absolutely didn’t. This was a much-needed reminder for everyone of what a good player he is.

City were also aided by Sarcevic coming on with Walker at the break, with Alex Pattison making way. Just like on Saturday at Wimbledon, Pattison dipped slightly from his recent stunning form and perhaps needs more of a breather. Sarcevic took Pattison’s place at the base alongside Smallwood, and had one of his most eye-catching games yet for the club. And with Walker and Sarcevic bringing new energy and thrust, City absolutely took off.

What followed was a second half of visitor dominance. Attacks full of invention, pace and power. It culminated with Reece James bringing down Halliday in the box for a clear penalty, after the City right back had latched onto a long ball and cut inside. James’ challenge was silly and needless, especially given City had already had two strong penalty appeals turned down and referee Adam Herczeg was feeling the pressure of a furious Alexander. Smallwood smashed home the penalty and declined to celebrate netting against his former club.

There was still half an hour to play, but Rotherham never recovered. They never achieved a spell of dominance. They rarely looked like they were capable of coming back. City could and maybe should have had more. They do what they do so well – setting up really well out of possession, pressing hard and then bursting forward quickly on the transition to mount another attack. A second goal would have eased the tension, but their game management to the end was superb. Rotherham did make stoppage time a little nervy, but that was largely because Alexander had subbed off most of his attackers and perhaps gone a little too defensive, making it difficult for City to clear their lines and get the ball sticking higher up the pitch.

No matter though, because they picked up a fourth clean sheet in five games – before this run, they’d only managed five clean sheets all season. The latest shut out was achieved with a totally different back three to the mainstays who’ve proven so resolute in the league of late. And that’s just one area of the team where selection dilemmas will be tricky for Alexander to solve over the coming days. He has problems. Very welcome problems.

So City have reached the final four of the EFL Trophy for the second season in a row. They are again just 90 minutes away from Wembley. Apart from Cheltenham, everyone else left in the competition is in League One – including the globally-hyped Wrexham and Birmingham. It will not be easy from here for sure, but having now defeated three League One teams on their own patch in this competition, what is there left for the Bantams to fear?

There is a question mark over whether this cup distraction is helpful when City have huge incentive to concentrate on the league, but so far this squad is proving it can handle competing on two fronts. They’re looking fearless right now. Comfortable in their own skin. Clear in their purpose. And with nine wins in their last 12 games, they’re raising the ceiling on what could be achieved this season.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2024/25, BCAFC, Football League Trophy, Rotherham United