HIGHLIGHTS
- Richie Smallwood is the current Bradford City captain.
- Richie Smallwood has made 103 appearances in two seasons for the Bantams.
- Richie Smallwood has triggered a one-year extension at the club.
Every single club across the three EFL divisions will have a player who splits opinions among the club’s supporters, and at Bradford City, that is current captain Richie Smallwood.
The experienced midfielder is now in the twilight of his football career, but he has been ever-present in the Bantams’ midfield since joining the club in 2022.
At the time of signing for Bradford in EFL League Two, Smallwood was believed to be highly sought after by a number of clubs across the EFL after an impressive career spent mainly in the EFL Championship with the likes of Middlesbrough, Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.
When Smallwood joined the club at the start of the 2022-23 season, he was, of course, seen as an outstanding signing at the time, as the midfielder managed 42 appearances for Hull in the previous EFL Championship campaign before dropping down two divisions to join Bradford.
However, despite being the captain under two different managers, Mark Hughes and current manager Graham Alexander, Smallwood has come in for a lot of criticism from a section of Bradford supporters.
Smallwood’s relationship with the Bradford City supporters
Smallwood has received mixed responses from the fans on social media and in the stands since his early days at the club, possibly due to the high expectations of the midfielder coming into the club as captain and from two leagues above.
One of the main reasons for the criticism of Smallwood is for his dead-ball delivery, which often is met by groans from the stands, especially during home games at Valley Parade. It’s often due to the corner or free-kick either failing to bypass the first defender or the ball simply being hit too far and often going out of play cheaply.
Smallwood has contributed with nine assists in two seasons with the club across all competitions while making 103 appearances for the club during this time, which shows that some of the criticism for his dead-ball delivery could be called fair, but it could also be argued that the players attacking the ball could do more from these positions to score.
However, in terms of overall play, Smallwood often provides protection for the defence behind him and rarely loses the ball when in possession. Plus, his passion is always clear to see, as Smallwood is anything but emotionless on the pitch and isn’t afraid to put his foot in when necessary. Some fans may overlook the dirty work he does in midfield, but this is ultimately a key component in winning midfield battles.
Smallwood has been backed by both former manager Mark Hughes and now by current boss Graham Alexander, both with much respect in the game and although he hasn’t set the world alight with his performances, he has performed during spells of the season, and it would be unfair to label the inconsistency of the team on Smallwood during his two seasons at the club.
| Richie Smallwood’s Career Stats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Seasons | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Middlesbrough | 2010–2015 | 72 | 4 | 7 |
| Rotherham United | 2013–2017 | 133 | 3 | 5 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2016–2017 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 2017–2020 | 87 | 3 | 5 |
| Hull City | 2020–2022 | 74 | 2 | 2 |
| Bradford City | 2022–Present | 103 | 4 | 9 |
Retaining Smallwood a good move by Bradford City
Retaining Smallwood for another year is a wise move for the club and manager Graham Alexander, considering his experience and leadership qualities on the pitch. While he has divided the fanbase at times, Smallwood’s commitment and passion for the game are evident.
However, some fans have expressed a desire to see more impact from Smallwood in terms of taking control of games and motivating the team during challenging moments. One suggestion is for him to focus less on set-pieces like free-kicks and corners, allowing other players to take on those responsibilities and potentially leading to more goals.
Smallwood himself acknowledges his role as a team player rather than a flashy standout, emphasizing his contribution to the team’s overall function. Despite initial criticism, Smallwood and the team improved notably towards the end of the 2023-24 season, with Smallwood performing exceptionally well during that period.
The recent change in formation, with Jamie Walker and Bobby Pointon flanking Smallwood in midfield, has allowed him to focus on defensive duties while letting others handle creativity. This adjustment has benefited Smallwood and contributed to the team’s improved form.
With Smallwood set to stay for another year due to a contract clause, it appears to be the right decision for both the club and the fans moving forward.
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