Bradford City have decided the short-term future of Adam Wilson, sending the winger to his former club The New Saints on loan.
Despite having two years left on his contract in West Yorkshire, Graham Alexander has opted to loan out the Kenyan international for the remainder of the season. Wilson joined from the Welsh league club last summer under Mark Hughes for ‘a nominal fee.’
The arrival of the former MK Dons boss in October hampered the wideman’s playing time, using a 5-3-2 formation for much of his tenure at Valley Parade. This season has seen Tyreik Wright join the club permanently from Plymouth Argyle, setting the starting wing-backs as the Irishman and Brad Halliday.
Wilson has made a total of 16 appearances in claret and amber, scoring a solitary goal against Wrexham. The 24-year-old only featured twice since Alexander began his reign, with his last appearance as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to Harrogate Town, which was also the most recent time he was named in a matchday squad.
The New Saints are within reach of the new ‘League Phase’ of the UEFA Conference League, having to defeat Lithuanian side FK Panevezys across two legs to make their first-ever appearance in a European competition proper. The Oswestry-based club have won the Welsh Premier three seasons in a row, with Wilson being named the Supporter’s Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.
Speaking to the Telegraph and Argus about Wilson’s loan move back to TNS, Graham Alexander was positive about what the winger can do. He said: “I had a conversation with Adam at the end of last season and, to be fair, he’s trained diligently in pre-season. He’s been with us the whole time.
“But at this stage of his career, he’s got a lot of years in front of him and needs to be out there playing in someone’s team and hopefully showing everyone what he can do.
“I think he’ll start to enjoy his football again and the future is in his hands now.
“He’s going to a level and a club he knows, so he’ll be able to hit the ground running. He’s done all the pre-season with us and he’ll be in a really good shape.”
Writer’s View
Adam Wilson likely would never have got a regular place in the Bradford City starting eleven. His dominant side on the right wing is occupied by Brad Halliday, who is probably The Bantams’ most consistent performer. Tyreik Wright, Lewis Richards and even Clarke Odour can fill in on the wings so a move away from Valley Parade is best for the 24-year-old. TNS is the perfect place for him to regain his form, as he is already familiar with the setup at Park Hall and is a well-liked figure by their supporters.
Ultimately Wilson is a victim of a managerial change. Whilst Mark Hughes liked to use him as a bench option, Alexander has rarely utilised the Kenyan international. Being a more advanced winger, Wilson would never properly fit as one of the wing-backs in the former Preston North End midfielder’s system. It wouldn’t be farfetched to expect Wilson to leave next summer on a permanent move elsewhere.
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