Bradford City manager Mark Hughes is not concerned by his star striker Andy Cook’s mini goal drought, in comments given to the Telegraph and Argus. 

The 32-year-old attacker leads the way in the golden boot race in League Two. Despite failing to score in the last two encounters for the Bantams, the experienced striker has rocked up 24 goals to his name from 42 appearances.

Despite Cook having a few off performances from a personal perspective, Bradford City have managed to still show a lethal edge in front of goal even without their usually reliable number nine scoring. An away day out to Rochdale recently saw the Bantams leave the Crown Oil Arena as convincing winners, clinching a 3-0 victory with defender Sam Stubbs even getting involved in the strikes.

That same lethal edge in front of goal was, however, missing last time out, Mark Hughes’ men attempting 16 shots on the road at Swindon Town to no avail. Jody Morris’ side would then capitalise, Jonny Williams securing a narrow 1-0 win late on for the Robins.

With big games to follow against Gillingham and Northampton Town, Mark Hughes will be hoping Cook can score some more crucial goals to stop this two-game rut and fire the Bantams to hopeful promotion glory.

The experienced striker has been a goal machine throughout his lengthy career, even scoring 13 goals at League One level with Walsall back in the 2018-19 season. He’s become a firm fan favourite at Valley Parade, making over 100 appearances for the League Two side with the 32-year-old only three strikes away from bagging 50 goals in total in Bradford City colours.

Mark Hughes, when speaking to the Telegraph and Argus, believes Cook will continue being the talismanic attacking presence his side needs to get over the line in crucial matches to come.

“I think we’ve realised that Andy is not a streaky centre forward. He scores on a regular basis. Two games for him is viewed as a drought,” said the former Barcelona striker.

“Everybody acknowledges Cooky is a natural goal-scorer. Even if he starts missing chances or doesn’t get as many to be able to convert, he’s always getting opportunities. Because of that there’s always the chance that he’ll get on a run again. I wouldn’t put it past him that he starts that at the weekend.”

The Bradford City boss also opened up at the fact that his man can get be too hard on himself when he doesn’t play to the best of his abilities.

“I know what he’s like. It’s how Andy is, you’re not going to change him. He is a confidence player and just thrives on goals. When he doesn’t score, he does get a little bit too hard on himself.

“But there’s no concern with where he is in terms of his form and his ability to score goals for us. It changes very quickly. He has got that ability, not many players at this level have, so we’re grateful that he’s with us.”

Writer’s View

Andy Cook is known to lots of lower-league fans for being a prolific goalscorer, especially when he was at Tranmere Rovers – he was a player that would always prove to be a nuisance for opposition defenders to contain.

His prolific nature hasn’t dried up at Bradford – and at a stage in his career where some might deteriorate – the 32-year-old is continuing to show off his talent.

Two games without a goal is a concern, but as Mark Hughes says, a player of Cook’s ability should able to brush this mini goal drought off with ease, and it could well be that he bags a couple of goals this weekend against The Gills.