Latest updates Today Mark Hughes Issues Big Challenge To His Bradford City key players
Bradford City manager Mark Hughes has challenged his squad to maintain their good form, despite suffering defeat against Championship side Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The Bantams suffered a stuttering start to their League Two campaign, losing two of their opening four fixtures, but have responded by going undefeated in their last five. They recorded an emphatic 4-1 win away at Newport County last weekend before putting up a good fight against Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup third round earlier this week.
Despite losing 2-0, the Yorkshire side were far from outclassed and can hold their heads up high as they prepare to host Walsall on Saturday.
With four draws to their name already this season though, Hughes will be keen to build on the victory at Rodney Parade and continue to surge up the table. They currently sit in 11th, but are just two points outside the play-off places.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Hughes has reiterated that message and called on his squad to start delivering consistency. Speaking to official club media, the former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss said;
“We are going into the game against Walsall off the back off two good performances.
“Obviously, the performance against Newport was very good, but I thought we put up a good fight on Tuesday night (against Middlesbrough) as well.
“There is a feeling within the group that we can have a period where we can get some consistency and put a good run of results together.
“We have seen some good individual and team performances in recent games, which we all hope can continue on Saturday.”
Reflecting on Tuesday’s defeat, Hughes believes that the opportunity to play against a team in a higher division will be a benefit in the long run;
“Playing against higher opposition can have benefits. We can look at what they do, and take things from them.
“The experience of playing against higher opposition can give us things we can take forward into the rest of the season. Some of their decision making, the ability to offload the ball at the right time was impressive.
“It will give the players an insight and understanding into what it takes.”
Writer’s View
Bradford were one of the favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season and Hughes has seemingly turned things around after a tricky start. Supporters were beginning to grumble and the boss will be keen to build on the momentum of last week’s victory against Newport. However, there have been too many draws this season, and he has a squad which should be challenging in the upper reaches of the table.
Five games unbeaten looks good on paper, but the Bantams have only acquired nine points in that time. Walsall have lost their last two fixtures and Hughes will be confident of gaining a second successive win for the first time this season.
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