The League Two playoff race is reaching its climax, with Bradford City aiming to replicate Doncaster Rovers’ impressive turnaround this season.
Doncaster’s remarkable 10-game winning streak has propelled them into the top six, but for Bradford City, who had only a 2 percent chance of reaching the playoffs a week ago according to playmakerstats, the task is more challenging.
With five consecutive wins, including crucial away victories against playoff contenders Walsall and Barrow, Bradford City now has an outside chance. They need to defeat Newport County at Valley Parade and hope for Mansfield to defeat Barrow and Grimsby to stop Crawley at Broadfield. Bookmakers now estimate their chances at around one in four.
However, in the unpredictable League Two, surprises on the final day are common. Just two years ago, Bristol Rovers’ 7-0 win over Scunthorpe turned the tables on Northampton’s goal difference advantage, securing promotion in the dying minutes of the season.
Could Bradford City pull off a similar feat? It seemed unlikely just a month ago, especially after a 3-0 loss at Harrogate that sparked discontent among away supporters towards the club’s leadership.
This led CEO Ryan Sparks to fly to Munich for crucial talks with owner Stefan Rupp, who had rejected a takeover bid in late 2023. Following discussions emphasizing the need for change, Rupp penned an open letter promising significant shifts in strategy and increased investment. The appointment of David Sharpe as head of football operations was seen as a positive step.
More changes are on the horizon, with Rupp actively considering repurchasing Valley Parade, seen as crucial for the club’s competitiveness. Additionally, a larger summer budget has been pledged, which surpasses the previous year’s and places Bradford City among a select few teams in the top nine that didn’t spend six figures on transfers last summer.
While promotion remains a long shot, it would be transformative for a club that recently competed in the Premier League. Despite last year’s playoff disappointment and setbacks like Alex Pattison’s injury, there’s optimism for a memorable achievement.
Although several key players are out of contract, extensions are being considered for Richard Smallwood, Bobby Pointon, Brad Halliday, and Jamie Walker, reflecting a positive recruitment outlook.
With over 13,000 season tickets sold, concerns of boycotts have been defied. Manager Graham Alexander’s reputation has also improved with a 50 percent win ratio since his appointment in November, setting a positive tone for the upcoming season.
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