By Jason McKeown

As the fervent cheers that greeted Michael Mellon making it 3-0 finally faded, a war cry of “we are going up” bellowed across Valley Parade. The sound of the chant not only reverberated around a proud stadium witnessing new history, it travelled 107 miles North West to Brunton Park, where leaders Walsall were once again stumbling. It could be heard all the way down in London, where third-place Doncaster were slipping up at Bromley. The vibrations of the Bradford City roar seeped into Meadow Lane, where Notts County unexpectedly lost to Barrow. It was also heard by Wimbledon in defeat at Morecambe, Port Vale as they drew at home to Harrogate, and Crewe as they were thrashed by Fleetwood. 

It was a loud message to the rest of League Two. Bradford City had won again, whilst at the same time every other rider in this race for promotion fell off their saddle. This emphatic 3-0 thumping of Cheltenham puts the Bantams into a tantalisingly strong position. They’re eight points clear of Notts County, meaning that – even having played a game more than the chasers – City have a considerable automatic promotion cushion. They’re now only two points off the summit. With Walsall facing a tricky lunchtime tussle with Grimsby this Saturday, City could go into their 3pm game at Gillingham knowing that victory would take them top.

And all of this coming on a night where City set a brand new club record. 10 homes win in a row. 30 points from their last 30 on home soil. For sure, there have been more talented, more celebrated Bradford City teams in the past, but not even the very best that we’ve seen in claret and amber have achieved this level of Valley Parade invincibility.

For perspective, City only won nine home games in the whole of last season, nine the year before, and six the year before that. In total, they’ve now acquired 45 points from 18 home games this season. It’s also now six clean sheets in a row at home. 579 minutes since any opposition player beat Sam Walker within this BD8 fortress.

That wasn’t going to change here. City were simply superb, and in a crowded competition there is a good argument to say this was the best performance of the season. From start to finish they completely dominated it. They beat up and out-played a Cheltenham side who – whilst residing in the bottom half of the table – had come to Valley Parade in decent from, having only lost four of their last 22 games.  

But Cheltenham simply couldn’t live with City. The home side showed positive, purposeful intent right from the off, with Brandon Khela, Mellon and Jamie Walker all going close inside the opening six minutes. There was just no let up. City routinely harassed their brittle green-shirted opponents for possession and worked it quickly up to the front three. From there, they showed some superb link up play to carve out opportunities. And when moves broke down, the high press was enforced to quickly win it back. The pressure was near constant, with Cheltenham welcoming any break in play as an opportunity to simply catch their breath.

But nothing was stopping City here. In the 10th minute, Walker fired just over after some excellent build up play that included clever flicks from Richie Smallwood and Mellon. Not long after, Khela forced a wonder save from Cheltenham keeper Joe Day after a good cross into the box from the excellent Tayo Adaramola. 

The only surprise, really, was that it took City so long to get in front. But the inevitable breakthrough came in the 31st minute. The lighting quick Adaramola had seen a cross blocked but quickly won back possession and was one on one with Arkell Jude-Boyd. He showed great skill to beat his man, burst to the edge of the box and crossed the ball into the middle, where George Lapslie got ahead of his marker and couldn’t miss, heading past Day. Just fantastic play all round from City.

A word on the front three, who were superb. Walker, Mellon and Lapslie have had to wait on the sidelines, but took their chance brilliantly. It was hugely impressive how well they linked up, how quickly they forged understandings. Each of them took risks, tried flicks, played one-twos and ran at defenders. More often than not, they got it absolutely right, tearing through Cheltenham’s backline. And even in moments when it didn’t come off, shoulders never slumped – and the trio looked just as confident and brave the next time they got a chance.

It was an especially great night for Lapslie. The first of the January outfield player recruits has curiously had to wait the longest for a genuine opportunity. Up until Saturday he’d not had more than 17 minutes of action in a game, and hadn’t even made the bench in recent weeks. Remarkably this was his full debut. Not only did Lapslie get off the mark, he got his second soon after half time. Mellon had attempted a pass inside that was blocked and the ball fell to Walker, who raced forwards and produced a delicious low cross that Lapslie was able to steer home.

Seven minutes after that, Walker did some characteristically excellent pressing to close down a Tom Bradbury clearance. He ran onto the loose ball and charged into the box, teeing up Mellon to make it 3-0. And that was the cue for more wild celebrations in the stands, and the unleashing of the war cry.

The only disappointment was City didn’t score more and Walker especially didn’t get on the scoresheet. The Scot probably just shaded it for player of the match and did force a great save out of Day. It is so good to see Walker’s resurgence, when it seemed his Bradford City career was over. He could probably have left in January, but has got his head down and worked his way back into his manager’s plans. The great reception Walker received when he was taken off late on was heartfelt, emotional and richly deserved. He has so much to offer and supporters hold him in great affection.

Behind Walker, Lapslie and Mellon in midfield, Richie Smallwood was again utterly inspirational. Again making everything tick. And alongside him, Khela’s own self-assurance is beginning to blossom. His tentativeness in recent games fading and, because of it, his quality showing. Alex Pattison has been a huge player for City next to Smallwood, but Khela is increasingly filling in well.

You can visibly see Smallwood guiding Khela through the game – urging him when to run forwards and when to stay back. Smallwood’s name was chanted by an appreciative Kop throughout the second half. The same Kop crowd who had booed him in August when he was about to take a penalty. How he has changed public opinion and then some. A great testament to his character and mental strength. 

These are qualities that have translated onto the team and onto the squad. This is not a case of the stars simply aligning for City. Luck has not really been on their side. They’re facing adversity and yet still flourishing. Still fighting. So yeah, take away our top scorer, Andy Cook, for the season. Kick Antoni Sarcevic off the pitch at Salford. Inflict illness on Pattison. Injury on Bobby Pointon. Rob us, at different intervals, of the services of Calum Kavanagh, Romoney Crichlow, Lewis Richards, Ciaran Kelly, Callum Johnson and Tyreik Wright. Unjustly send off Jack Shepherd. Do whatever you want, because this Bradford City squad is made of strong stuff and will just keep going. A modern case study in Ewing Theory. A testament to the merits of proper investment and clever recruitment.

Watching Lapslie, Mellon and Walker substituted to richly deserved standing ovations late on proves this even further. A few weeks ago, you can only imagine the queue of players knocking on Alexander’s door wanting to know when they would get a chance. George, Michael and Brandon questioning why they had been brought to the club in January, only to sit on the sidelines. Jamie wondering what he’d done wrong. If such conversations did indeed happen, Alexander probably reassured them it’s a long season and they’d get their chance. And, blimey, has that proven the case.

You see the squad depth, this interchanging of match-winners, all over the team, including at the back. Good defensive performances are supposed to be built on continuity. But here Neill Byrne was drafted back and slotted in just fine. The three centre backs keep being switched about. And now all but the unlucky Kelly are fit, there’s an embarrassment of riches.

Smallwood, Sam Walker and the now unquestionably back on top form Brad Halliday are the only constants. Eight other places in the team are interchanged weekly, and yet City don’t seem to miss a beat. Andy Cook FC we certainly no longer are.

For that and so much more, Graham Alexander deserves all the credit in the world. I think each and every one of us can admit that, at some point in his tenure, we all underestimated him. That whilst he could rarely be accused of doing a bad job since taking over, at times he didn’t come across as the most dynamic of managers. But that has changed. And thanks to his superb tactical coaching approach, City are in with a great chance of a first automatic promotion since 1999.

And I do think that comparisons with that 98/99 team, who stormed to Premier League promotion, hold some merit. Obviously, there’s a totally different level of ability between the players of then and now. But for coaching performance, I would say the levels of organisation, and how well drilled City are under Alexander, is the best I’ve seen since Paul Jewell’s management of the team during that amazing season. Back then, Jewell built a clearly defined structure to the team, where everyone knew their jobs, and the consistency levels were outstanding. The approach that this current crop are taking under Alexander has a similar feel. And perhaps that’s no coincidence – after all, Jewell helped Ryan Sparks to choose Alexander as the man to replace Mark Hughes last season.

The above might sound harsh on Phil Parkinson. It really isn’t meant to be. No City fan will ever forget or dismiss the incredible job Parkinson did in getting the Bantams promoted from this division 12 years ago. But what stands out right now is just how much this is a squad approach. How Alexander has built such a strong DNA. One that means players can come in and out the side, and the overall standards remain just as high. The approach still the same. It’s a level of consistency not even Parkinson could reach. And if City win on Saturday, they will equal the 69 point total the Bantams achieved in going up via the play offs in 2012/13.

Where all of this will take City remains to be seen. There is still a long way to go. And as hugely encouraging as the situation looks right now, nothing has been achieved yet. No one wants the highlight of this season to be breaking a consecutive home win record. So as much as this moment should be absolutely enjoyed, we quickly move onto the next challenge.

Still, every light on the dashboard is ticking green right now. And the blistering form of the last few months gives us every confidence for the run-in. Because it’s now 16 wins from their last 21 matches. 33 goals scored over that period, with just 15 conceded, including 10 cleans sheets in the last 13 games – and only two league goals going into City’s net since January 4.

When City walked onto the field to play Walsall at Valley Parade on 25 January, they were 17 points behind the Saddlers. 10 games later, that gap is now just two points. In the last week, City have given sold-out-but-nevertheless-small-City away followings memorable, hedonistic moments. And they built on that here in front of their home crowd. Delivering a performance and result of such courage, audacity and brightness that it was impossible for us supporters to not fall even more in love with them.

Something truly special is happening at Bradford City. A piece of history made. And now, this manager and group of players have a huge chance of going on to achieve something even greater – true iconic club status.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2024/25, BCAFC, Cheltenham Town, League Two