Mark Hughes: Bradford look like a team who can achieve something

Posted Sunday, April 16, 2023 by PA

Mark Hughes believes his Bradford side are on the verge of achieving something big after they bolstered their promotion hopes with a 3-0 win at Rochdale.

The Bantams moved to within two points of the top three with a routine victory against a Dale side who look destined for the drop.

Sam Stubbs headed them into an early lead, converting Richie Smallwood’s free-kick after five minutes.

Ian Henderson and Abraham Odoh went close for Dale before half-time while Scott Banks hit the crossbar for the visitors.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell then headed Smallwood’s free-kick into his own net after 74 minutes before Banks’ deflected 82nd-minute effort completed the scoring.

“We’ve made big inroads into the totals of other teams,” said Hughes.

“Other teams above us were well ahead of us for a long time but we’ve managed to claw that back and now we’re just looking forward to the next game.

“We’re in a good position, in good heart. We’re really strong at the minute and we’re looking like a team that is hopefully going to achieve something.

“We played well, we had any number of chances in that first half and probably should have scored more.

“They were trying to build up a bit of pressure when we just needed to stand off them and allow them to pick the wrong pass. We resolved that at half time – clearly what they wanted us to do was over-commit and then play in behind with clever passes. We didn’t allow that in the second half.

“You always want that second goal and once that went in the game was over.

“The third put the game totally to bed and in the end it was a straightforward victory which was pleasing because it wasn’t easy coming here with the situation Rochdale are in and the bounce they’ve had recently with the new manager.

“It was a different challenge for us and one we had to work out, which we did quickly. We’ve been able to give our fans a great result and it’s on to the next one.”

Dale came close to a late consolation via Devante Rodney in the 90th minute but his effort hit the post.

Dale boss Jim McNulty said: “I have to admit, first and foremost, that we weren’t at the races. We didn’t produce the play I knew our players were capable of in terms of individual skills.

“We didn’t handle the ball well and the types of player we can be in certain areas of the pitch, we weren’t. Therefore, we found it tough against a team on the march.

“Despite the fact we were nowhere near the races, we still had chances to come away with a result. We got done by a couple of set-pieces and a deflected shot.

“I think we struggled mentally to recover from some early mistakes. We are in a critical position in the league and it was edgy, it was nervy.”