Bradford City manager Mark Hughes has backed the Bantams fanbase to continue getting behind their playoff chasing team, in comments given to the Yorkshire Post.
Bradford managed to secure a playoff spot on the final day with a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient, Bantams defender Bradley Halliday scoring his first ever goal for the West Yorkshire side to seal a share of the points.
6th spot in the division was secured in spite of Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town picking up a final day victory away at Colchester United.
Now, Carlisle United await Mark Hughes’ men in the playoff semi-finals. A day out to Wembley is what the Bantams will hope for after Carlisle home and away, hoping for a return to League One for the first time since relegation at the end of the 2018-19 season.
How Has Mark Hughes Done At Bradford This Season?
Mark Hughes has achieved the task set out for him when he put pen to paper on a Bradford managerial deal back in February last year – managing to get the Bantams in the playoffs.
After a number of disappointing and below-par finishes – finishing 15th and 14th in the fourth tier in recent campaigns – Mark Hughes has made the Bantams fanbase believe that they can make the step-up to League One.
Andy Cook has been Mark Hughes’ main man all season long, notching up 28 goals this season in 46 appearances. Can he score more crucial goals when the pressure is on the Bantams during the League Two playoffs?
Bradford will have everything crossed that they can put an end to their four-year stay in the fourth tier this campaign, dreaming of winning at Wembley on Sunday 28th of May.
Recent Bradford Fan Unrest
Although Mark Hughes has praised the Bradford fanbase for their unwavering support – Valley Parade nearly at full capacity this weekend for the visit of Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient – the antics of the fanbase recently has also led to some backlash.
Recent scenes involving flares being thrown on the pitch when Bradford travelled to Crewe Alexandra away led to a whole host of stoppage time being added on, leading to Chris Long scoring a last gasp winner at the expense of the Bantams who were still chasing automatic promotion at the time.
Condemned by Bradford City directly after the match – with Mark Hughes stating that his side ‘lost control’ in the encounter – the ex Manchester City manager will hope his recent rallying cry will see the passion of the Bantams fanbase spur his side onto greatness in the playoffs. In the process, any unwanted negative publicity will be soon be forgotten.
What Has Mark Hughes Said?
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post before the first playoff match against Paul Simpson’s Carlisle, Mark Hughes believes the Bradford fanbase will have a key role to play in helping his side win after the near sell-out versus the O’s.
He said: “I thought the connection with the crowd was fantastic, it wasn’t only the numbers. That will make headlines but the amount of support we had was really important, especially when we went behind.
“There was no negativity. We got back on track and they got us over the line – we’ll obviously need more of the same on Sunday (against Carlisle)”
The former Manchester City boss also commented on Bradford’s defeat away at Carlisle during the regular season, a result that will work in Bradford’s advantage when seeking revenge in the playoffs.
He said: “We’ve obviously played them twice already. Away at Carlisle was probably one of the poorest performances we’ve put in, in all honesty.
“But I think we’ve moved on a lot from that moment. It will be two good games. It’s up to us to take advantage when that presents itself.”
Writer’s View
Mark Hughes will hope his words to the Bradford fanbase means Valley Parade will be bouncing for Carlisle’s visit to West Yorkshire, a hostile and passionate atmosphere might well lead to the Cumbrian side crumbling on the big occasion.
Everyone connected with Bradford will hope no incidents similar to Crewe away will occur in these two playoff matches, the fanbase spurring the team on without flares being thrown.
The fans could well prove to be an effective calling card, Wembley potentially packed out with swarms of fans from West Yorkshire if Bradford make the League Two playoff final.
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