JUST IN :Bantams Caretaker Boss Explains Why He Left Out Harry Lewis
KEVIN McDonald felt it was the right call to leave some of City’s big hitters at home in the Football League Trophy.
The Bantams went with effectively a second team in their opening group game at Grimsby.
Caretaker boss McDonald made nine changes from the league win over Swindon – including leaving out Harry Lewis for the first time since he joined the club.
Goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle took his place between the posts as City’s makeshift line-up claimed a 2-1 victory at Blundell Park.
The 38-year-old’s first senior outing since May 2021 – and first for the club in five-and-a-half years – ended a run of 70 straight appearances for Lewis.
“Somebody said Harry has played every single game,” said McDonald. “He wanted to play but sometimes you’ve got to put people out of certain situations and that’s what we’ve done.
“You could have left other players at home. In the grand scheme, these players have played a lot of football.
“But I felt it was right and it was a gut feeling to take that decision.
“Doyler leads by example back there and didn’t put a foot wrong. That’s why we put him in and he was another one who didn’t do himself any harm at all.”
Lewis was not the only regular to be spared Trophy duty. Andy Cook, Jamie Walker, Sam Stubbs and Liam Ridehalgh did not travel as McDonald rang the changes.
McDonald put himself back in the side after sticking to the dug-out at the weekend. He partnered skipper Richie Smallwood, one of only two players to remain in the starting line-up after Swindon.
“It was good. I enjoyed playing alongside Richie.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him as a player and a person.
“He’s a good player and he played well Saturday and Tuesday night.
“We worked well together. I’m sure people say there aren’t too many legs in there but when you’re doing things right that we’re trying to work on, that then takes away the whole part of that.
“I didn’t think we looked overrun at times. Again, I thought individually and as a team we were really good.
“Everyone was at it. There were some things we can work on, obviously their goal, but it’s a work in process and we’ll look into that again.”
Bobby Pointon was the other survivor from Saturday’s starting 11 and had an assist in Emmanuel Osadebe’s winner.
“Bobby gives it his all,” added McDonald. “He’s exciting on the eye and one you can see is always trying to do things.
“He’s got things to learn, of course. He doesn’t need to do little flicks and stuff but that’s the type of player he is.
“But he was spot on again and will be ready to go again Saturday.”
Fellow academy product Freddy Jeffreys also came on in the closing stages for his senior debut. McDonald felt he took the step-up in his stride.
“I’ve only seen him a few times but Freddy is a good player. In an ideal world you put him on when it’s a bit more comfortable but I thought he did well and stuck at it.
“He took care of the ball when he got it and worked hard off the ball. It was a good start.”
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