Ahead of their match with Crawley Town on Saturday, Bradford City announced the signing of experienced forward Tom Elliott who has played for clubs such as Leeds and Millwall in his career. Elliott becomes the Bantams fifth arrival of the January transfer window following the arrival of goalkeeper Alex Bass who impressed on debut against Walsall on Tuesday night.
Manager Derik Adams spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of the match with Crawley on Saturday and confirmed that new signing Elliott will be available for selection for the starting eleven. Adams went on to say “We have four fully fit strikers available to start and we have good competition in that area. Andy Cook scored a penalty the other night and is a striker that thrives on pressure”. “Tom Elliott has also played in the championship before he made that move to Salford in January 2020.
Adams refused to be drawn on whether he would possibly use Cook and Elliott in the same system but did refer to previous games in the season where he has used two strikers in the same system. Adams also confirmed that defender Liam Ridehalgh will be available for selection on Saturday. “He will be assessed today and Saturday and the same with Elliot Watt who missed the game on Tuesday”
After 7 points in the Bantams last three games, Adams has also urged that the club still need to maintain this form with the club sat five points of the play off positions with a game in hand on Swindon Town who are currently sat in 7th. “We’re in a very good position, it was a really important win the other night against Walsall and that comes after another good point away at Rochdale”. The Bantams now have the thrill of having their next two matches at Valley Parade starting off against Crawley on Saturday.
“Our away form is actually better than our home form, but we have only lost one game at home so far this season, but the problem has been too many draws”. Adams has also warned that his players need to be up for this challenge with the Scotsman describing Crawley as “one of the more experienced teams in the division” and a club that “play without fear”. “They’ve done really well and are a good group of players” but has called on his players to “exploit the space” as Crawley’s style of play will give his players the opportunity to get in behind the Red Devils back line.