The Lowdown: Bradford

October 29th 2021James Williams

Rovers are looking to extend their lead at the top of the League Two table as they travel to face Bradford City this weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Bantams ahead of the match.

MEET THE MANAGER: DEREK ADAMS

Derek Adams became Bradford City manager on a three year deal in the summer having already gained two promotions to League One.

After his 14 year playing career Adams took his first managerial role at Ross County in 2007, where he led them to promotion and a surprise Scottish Cup Final appearance.

He left to become assistant manager at Hibernian but returned for a second spell less than a year later to win promotion this time to the Scottish Premiership.

He then took over at Plymouth in 2015 and after playoff final heartbreak in his first season, he guided Argyle back to League One at the second time of asking.

His last job saw him take charge of Morecambe. In his second season, they missed out on automatic promotion by a point but did it the hard way, winning the playoff final against Newport County.

KEY PLAYER: ANDY COOK

Andy Cook moved to Bradford on a permanent deal from Tranmere in the summer after a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.

Cook came through the Carlisle academy system scoring a heap of goals for the club's youth teams before non-league loan spells to Workington and Barrow.

Cook has a vast amount of National League and EFL experience having played for the likes of Grimsby, Tranmere, Walsall, Mansfield and the above mentioned Barrow where he had four spells.

The Bishop Auckland born attacker has notched over 100 goals in his club career and has also made one appearance for the England C team back in 2013.

The veteran striker has had another impressive start to a league campaign having played all 14 of the Bantams opening games scoring six and notching the one assist.

FORM

02/10/21 – Bradford City 2-0 Rochdale

09/10/21 – Newport County 0-0 Bradford City

16/10/21 – Bradford City 2-2 Bristol Rovers

19/10/21 – Bradford City 1-3 Hartlepool United

23/10/21 – Swindon Town 1-3 Bradford City

LAST TIME OUT

Bradford City ran out 3-1 winners against Swindon Town in a very impressive performance at the County Ground.

The Bantams travelled to face an in form Swindon but found themselves ahead just 15 minutes into the tie. A long throw saw the ball find Caolan Lavery who volleyed his effort into the far corner.

Five minutes before half time and it was two. A long ball into the box caused chaos with Andy Cook hitting the post before Levi Sutton was on hand to tap in a second and his first of the season.

The home side tried to get back into things but a sheer moment of magic settled the game for Derek Adams side 15 minutes from time.

Theo Robinson had been on the pitch for seconds before he fired a brilliant effort into the top corner marking his first goal for the club right in front of the travelling support.

A Jack Payne penalty a few minutes later was simply a consolation for the Robins as Bradford took all three points after three games without a win.

LAST TIME WE MET

Forest Green Rovers fell to a third defeat in four as they lost 4-1 at the hands of Mark Trueman and Connor Sellars’ Bradford.

The home side went in front on ten minutes as Elliot Watt met a cleared corner to fire his shot low into the far bottom corner.

Rovers’ best chance of the first half came not long after as Issac Hutchinson did well to turn in the box before firing his volley into the Valley Parade stands.

The score line remained 1-0 until half time but two minutes after the interval it was two. A mix up at back allowed Andy Cook to race in on goal before finishing well past Lewis Thomas.

Cook had his second 15 minutes from time cutting in from the left before poking the ball past Thomas once again.

Jake Young did pull one back on the 90 with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, but Rovers’ misery was complied when Danny Rowe made it four deep into added time.