Written by Jason McKeown (images by John Dewhirst)

I’m not quite sure how they’re managing this.  A rise up a division, a revamp of the squad – there was every reason to expect a slow start to this season. And yet Bradford City have begun it as though this new-look squad have played together for years. They took it to even greater heights here to win and win well at the home of Championship outfit Blackburn.

Remember, if you’re old enough, 1998/99? City had gone on a summer spending spree but started terribly. A mere five points from the first seven games, as we anxiously waited for the team to gel. And sure, that worked out rather well – City were promoted to the Premier League – but it left us with the acquired conventional wisdom that close seasons of squad revamps will inevitably result in early bumps. Teething problems. A few missed beats.

Not something as smooth as this.

For here, just like on opening day against Wycombe and to a lesser extent at Northampton, City were organised, methodical and sharing in a collective purpose of executing a gameplan with hugely encouraging results. And it not only resulted in a place in the hat for round two of the League Cup, here we also got verification of the strength in depth that is now in place.

Because this was a City team with six starting XI changes, yet there were no holes to be found. Jensen Metcalfe made his City debut and set up a goal inside two minutes – it proved to be the start of a wonderful individual display. Will Swan got a first start and made it 2-0 before the game was four minutes old. His all round game was really good. Tyreik Wright continued his slow resurgence with a brilliant display. Aden Baldwin’s redemption arc began with a strong showing in his first appearance since THAT red card. Ciaran Kelly was fit again and superb. George Lapslie reminded us he has much to offer.

It was all just so encouraging, aided by the fastest of starts. Ibou Touray was the beneficiary of Metcalfe’s stunning early cross, meeting it at the backpost with a clinical finish. What a signing this guy is proving to be. Touray doesn’t attract the same attention as Josh Neufville but he is just what City needed. And with this goal the 30-year-old demonstrated he has much to offer going forward when there had been doubts.

It soon got even better. Blackburn boss Valérien Ismaël had awarded 18-year-old goalkeeper Nicholas Michalski a senior debut, and it’s fair to say he didn’t start well. Four minutes in Michalski raced out to intercept a through ball and attempted to keep possession rather than clear his lines. Tyreik Wright smelt blood and succesfully pressed the youngster to win possession. Then the City forward set up Swan to knock the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box.

Apart from that mad April period when Richie Smallwood was absent, City rarely lose winning positions under Graham Alexander and so Rovers had a mountain to climb. It took them an awfully long time to get going, and though they dominated the ball City always packed a more powerful punch when they went forwards.

All was going really well until an injury to the once-again-formidable Joe Wright meant he had to be withdrawn – hopefully he is okay for Saturday – with Curtis Tilt brought on. Within a few minutes – and just before the half time whistle – Rovers took advantage by pulling one back. Lewis Miller sent a powerful long throw into the box that Tilt didn’t deal with, and Neufville should have done better tracking Dion De Neve, who was able to score from the angle.

That set up a second half of some tension, but in truth Rovers only really ran up a head of steam in the final few minutes. City were indebted to an absolute wonder save from Sam Walker to keep their advantage. But despite some late scrambles and half-decent penalty appeals, City held on.

Maybe it could have been more comfortable. Stephen Humphrys came on as sub in the second half and frankly should have done better in several positions on the counter. But that was the only real gripe. Every player put in a huge shift. And the victory was thoroughly deserved. Their efforts helped by a truly awesome display of noise from a packed out Bantams away end.

I’m not quite sure how they’re managing this. But clearly, all the credit in the world belongs to Alexander for overseeing it. The way he, the coaching staff and the recruitment team have evolved the squad and prepared them to hit the ground running is a seriously impressive performance.

How far it can take City this campaign remains to be seen. But they’ve given themselves every chance of a happy season, with tonight another notable building block that sets the foundations for future success.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2025/26, BCAFC, Blackburn Rovers, League Cup