Bradford City’s current predicament is the result of ‘wrong moves’ in the recruitment market, according to former striker Don Goodman.
The Bantams are currently 14th in the table following this weekend’s matches, having won 1-0 against Accrington Stanley. Given that they were 18th before the weekend’s fixtures, supporters hope that this result will serve as a catalyst for change.
Graham Alexander, the manager of MK Dons, has already been sacked this season, but the Bantams have also been in the business of sacking, with Mark Hughes leaving the club. He was the 17th manager this century, not counting caretaker managers, and that, according to Goodman, is part of the problem.
“It’s tough to see what’s happening at Bradford,” said the Leeds-born former player. “Sometimes I have to remind myself that they’ve been in the Premier League!
“It’s heartbreaking to see them sit in 18th place in League Two.” Graham Alexander is their eighth manager in five years, which says it all. They are an ambitious club with a large stadium and large crowds, but they lack stability.”
Part of the insecurity stems from managers being hired and fired as they strive to return to the third tier. Hughes, who led the Bantams to the play-offs last season, paid the price for a shaky start, but Goodman believes it is a series of poor decisions that have kept them in the bottom division for the past five seasons.
“Bradford continues to make poor management and recruitment decisions.” Given their Hollywood element, they are everyone’s cup final, along with Wrexham. It is always the case.
“The struggle for goals is proving costly this season. Only two teams have scored fewer goals. Andy Cook, who scored 28 goals last season, is struggling.
“I expect them to fly up the league once he starts firing, but it remains to be seen if the job of getting promoted is too big for them. They really need to try and gatecrash the playoff places, but it’ll be tough.”
Goodman started his career at Valley Parade and was part of the squad on the tragic day of the fire disaster in 1985, losing a former girlfriend on the day. He later played for West Brom, Sunderland, and Wolves in a distinguished career.
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