The Sky Bet League Two season is officially done and dusted for Bradford City.
An underwhelming ninth table position, Bradford failed to live up to the pre-season expectations of the '100 points Gary Bowyer' chant, and instead settled for a measly play-off push. But couldn't even manage a top seven position as the Bantams ended the season four points adrift of Northampton Town and fans of the club were left ruing yet another crestfallen campaign.
Many have already begun to look forward to the 2020/21 season, whenever it may be, by debating who deserves to stay on past the Summer and fight for their place under Stuart McCall's third reign at the club. An array of players have just departed the club due to their contract's expiring, as Kelvin Mellor, Jake Reeves, Shay McCartan, Jordan Gibson, Jermaine Anderson, Hope Akpan, Adam Henley, Daniel Devine, Joe Riley and George Sykes-Kenworthy have all officially left for pastures new.
Whilst Richard O'Donnell continues to ponder a new contract and whether he wants to extend his stay in West Yorkshire, the goalkeeper slot is one which needs to be considered by McCall. O'Donnell has had a solid season as City's number one, but as Sam Hornby returns to the club and Luke McGee and Sykes-Kenworthy both exit, it needs to be considered what's happening. McCall will certainly wait for O'Donnell to decide on his future before he debates any potential replacements, but if the City shot stopper does opt to embark on his third campaign, Hornby may be sent back out on loan as he is unlikely to accept only cup games and fans may see another youth goalkeeper such as the young Thomas Donaghy come through to also fulfil the homegrown rule. If the scenario is that O'Donnell rejects the contract on the table, an ideal replacement could be Josh Vickers who has just been released by Lincoln City, to the disapproval of the Imps fan base. Vickers made 35 appearances in League One last season and conceded just 46 goals, and at just the age of 24 will be difficult to attract but would be immediately one of the best goalkeepers in League Two. He also won the title with Lincoln last season, so he knows whats required for the title, but another option could be former loanee McGee who is also out of contract and looked like a decent option for this level in his few games for City.
The position which fans can be guaranteed a new signing in will be right-back, as Mellor, Henley and Riley all have left the club to the approval of most fans. Whilst Wood has been debatably player of the season at left-back, the right-back role has been the one constant liability all season as Henley and Mellor both lacked form and Riley once again faced injury problems and ate a hole into the Bantams wage budget. As the coronavirus will cause most League Two clubs to be careful regarding wages now, the most suitable option would be to bring in a permanent right-back alongside a loanee from a Premier League or Championship club, such as Peter Kioso of Luton Town who shone for Hartlepool in the National League last season but is yet to get an opportunity for the Hatters, and can also operate at centre-back too to provide cover. In terms of permanent replacements for the trio of departures, an option could be either Oxford United's Sam Long or Blackpool's Ollie Turton. Both are set to be out of contract this June and both Oxford and Blackpool are yet to release their retained list, but Turton has made 30 appearances for the Tangerines this season and featured in right-back, centre-back and even midfield so his versatility could prove difficult to apprehend at Valley Parade. Long on the other hand has been somewhat of a back-up for Oxford, having made 16 appearances in League One last season after Chris Cadden left the club, but took his opportunity with both hands and gave himself a good account.
In terms of centre-back, City look fine for now with maybe one more needed through the door. Many may disagree, but Anthony O'Connor was one of the players of the season and has rectified the shipwreck of a season he endured last year, using his strength and no-nonsense attitude which is required in England's fourth tier. Ben Richards-Everton is similar but dropped off later in the season especially after his penalty he gave away against Macclesfield Town. Paudie O'Connor was decent, but supplied excellent back-up to O'Connor and Richards-Everton and clearly has a bright future ahead of him which McCall will be keen to unlock. A loanee would be an open opportunity just to challenge the three current defenders at the club unless Tyler French is able to take his chance, but Rarmani Edmonds-Green could be a respectable option having spent last season at title winners Swindon Town and as he is a Huddersfield Town youth academy graduate he may be open to playing in West Yorkshire.
Another position that needs to be analysed is the winger role, as the only recognisable winger right now is Zeli Ismail and debatably Harry Pritchard. If McCall is to replicate the electrifying football he presented to the fans back in 2017, the winger position is crucial, as a player like Mark Marshall would surely bring back the entertained crowds to Valley Parade. A player like Marshall could be Tom Pett, the Lincoln City winger who has just been released by the Imps. At 28 years old Pett is entering the prime of his career and having played for Lincoln and Stevenage at League Two level he is familiar with its brutal circumstances and is easy to adapt. Another player could be the out of contract Jodi Jones, who would be a risky signing. His qualities are clearly above League Two level, but the youngster possesses the qualities of Marshall, quick, powerful and with a good end product, but has lacked any real game time in the past two years due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and therefore his injury record might be enough to wayward City, especially after their experience with Jake Reeves and Joe Riley in recent times.
Like the right-back role, new central midfielders are also practically confirmed due to the clear lack of them currently at the club. As Callum Cooke, Reeves, Akpan, Anderson and Devine all leave Bradford, new additions are needed as soon as possible, mainly an entire new midfield to be honest to bolster any chances of City pushing for promotion. The first player needed would be a tough-tackling Romain Vincelot like player, and the player for me personally who would be able to perfectly re-enact that role would be the released Michael Bostwick, an experienced leader on the ball. Similar to Pett and Vickers, Imps fans were in uproar as Bostwick was released and its clear to see why; he is a fantastic player and as he enters his golden years as a footballer, he may be prepared to take whatever football he can get and at whatever level. Another possible signing could be Bristol City's Tyreeq Bakinson, who spent last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, and may be available for loan once again as he looks to continue his development which so far looks very promising and impressive especially at League Two level. Finally, an option could be the Cambridge United released Samir Carruthers who has had a dwindling career, having played for Sheffield United and MK Dons but after dealing with personal issues is available on a free transfer. He clearly has the ability, it now depends on whether McCall can utilise that potential Carruthers has.
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