HUGE CLASH AT THE CCS

ccfcinsider
Sep 19
2 min read

Cardiff City are back in the Welsh Capital as they host Graham Alexander's Bradford City.

The Opposition:

Bradford were promoted automatically last season, after a dramatic last ditch winner on the final day, ending their six-year stay in the fourth tier.

The Bantams have been active in the summer window as they prepared for life back in League One. Bradford and Alexander added Stephen Humphreys from Barnsley, Josh Neufville from AFC Wimbledon, Matthew Pennington from Blackpool, Joe Wright from Kilmarnock, Nick Powell from Stockport County, Curtis Tilt from Salford City, Jenson Metcalfe from Everton, Will Swan from Crawley Town, Tom McIntyre from Portsmouth, Max Power from AGF and Ibou Touray from Stockport County.

Alexander emphasizes an aggressive, high-press style with a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on winning the ball high up the pitch to trigger quick transitions into dangerous attacking areas. While preferring this shape, he adapts the team's progression, sometimes moving the ball down the left more than the right, and utilizes a fluid midfield with a combative holding player, a box-to-box midfielder, and a creative force. His approach prioritizes an immediate, direct forward momentum from turnovers rather than prolonged possession.

The Bluebirds:

Cardiff come into this on the back of a 1-0 win in the opening game of the Vertu Trophy group stage. A second half header from Callum Robinson was enough for BBM'S Bluebirds.

City could disrupt Bradford by using quick, possession-based play to pull apart their rigid, direct structure and exploit the spaces left when Alexander’s sides press aggressively.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Bobby Pointon is a product of the Bradford Academy and has started this season brilliantly. Pointon is a quick, agile forward who uses his vision, movement into half-spaces and ability to break lines — both with runs and through balls — to unlock defences.

Pointon signed his first professional deal in 2022. The forward then spent periods on loan at Brighouse Town, Farsley Celtic and Liversedge, before making his Bantams debut in 2023. In more recent weeks, Pointon netted a hat-rick in Bradford's recent derby game against Huddersfield Town.

Last Meeting:

Bradford City 0-1 Cardiff City (2004)

These two sides last met over twenty years ago, with City running out winners with a goal from Richard Langley.

Robert Earnshaw had a penalty denied by Alan Combe, but Langley headed in from the rebound to give City all three points.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Late decisions to be made on Dylan Lawlor and Gabriel Osho. Alex Robertson available for the first time this season. Ollie Tanner and Eli King remain out for City.

Bradford City - Neill Byrne could return for the visitors. Calum Kavanagh a doubt with an ongoing issue. Alex Pattison and Curtis Tilt out for the visitors.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Ronan Kpakio

RCB - Perry Ng

LCB - Will Fish

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Ryan Wintle

RCM - Rubin Colwill

LCM - David Turnbull

RW - Cian Ashford

LW - Chris Willock

ST - Yousef Salech