Wimbledon vs. Bradford City: A Warning from Alex Gilliead’s Press Conference
Alex Gilliead’s recent press conference ahead of Bradford City’s League Two match against Wimbledon seemed to serve a dual purpose – previewing the game while also cautioning the club’s leadership. Despite the proximity of AFC Wimbledon’s stadium to the original Wimbledon FC ground, there’s a world of difference between the two. The days of the Crazy Gang’s direct football, characterized by the notorious “reducers” like Vinnie Jones, are long gone.
Today’s football has evolved, emphasizing a more refined style with a focus on keeping the ball on the ground rather than launching it into the air. However, it’s essential to strike a balance.
A change in management, as currently experienced by Bradford City, provides an opportunity to reassess past mistakes and allows players to share their thoughts candidly, or at least semi-candidly.
Gilliead’s thoughts suggest that he’s not necessarily celebrating Mark Hughes’ departure, as Hughes heavily relied on him. Still, Gilliead believes that caretaker manager Kevin McDonald is moving in the right direction by being less dependent on ball possession.
Bradford City recently won a League Two match against Swindon Town with less possession for the first time this season. According to Gilliead, the team’s success in that match was due to a focus on the basics of pressuring opponents, compactness in transition, and minimizing distances between players. They also adopted a more direct style of play, which suits their striker, Big Andy Cook, and leveraged their fit and deep squad for fresh legs and quality.
Gilliead acknowledges that while possession football works for teams like Manchester City with world-class players, it’s more challenging in League Two. Often, opposing teams sit back, forcing Bradford to pass the ball around at the back, which doesn’t always resonate with the fans. Getting on the front foot, pressing opponents, and being aggressive can engage the crowd and create excitement.
However, Gilliead isn’t advocating for a return to old-school Wimbledon’s style. He recognizes that there is still a place for passing football in League Two; it’s all about finding the right balance.
Gilliead also mentioned that change takes time and that the team had tried to alter their formation this season, which didn’t yield the desired results. Whether a team plays possession or direct football depends on the players’ capabilities and preferences. The key is to press the opposition enough to force them into playing long balls, allowing Bradford to regain possession and initiate their attacks.
Kevin McDonald is in the dark about Bradford City's manager hunt – and that is how he likes it#bcafc | @sturayner https://t.co/oio80jMljm
— Yorkshire Post Sport (@YPSport) October 13, 2023
Gilliead is enjoying his role in this new approach, and caretaker manager Kevin McDonald seems open to change. While the club is in the process of selecting a new manager, McDonald has been candid with the players about his vision for the team’s style of play. He has expressed a desire to return to the playing side of football, but the unpredictability of the sport means that anything can happen in the future.