A nugget of pure quality - how Kieran Morgan caught the eye on a chill night for Bradford City
ON a cold November night for the diehards, Kieran Morgan showed glimpses of just why Bradford City were so keen to bring him to the club late on in the summer window.
The QPR loan midfielder was involved in much of the good work that the Bantams produced in their final EFL Trophy northern group game against White Rose rivals York City - with goals from Antoni Sarcevic, Stephen Humphrys, Will Swan and Nick Powell seeing the hosts emphatically confirm top spot and a home tie in the knock-out phases.
One moment stood out in the first half when Morgan showed sumptuous technique to strike a shot with the outside of his foot which clipped the post.
It was a nugget of pure quality.
And it arrived on the back of an encouraging display in the club's FA Cup blitzing of Marine.
City may have gorged on 11 goals in two resounding Valley Parade cup wins to start getting the Huddersfield Town derby loss out of their system and answer talk that they are goal-shy, but Morgan's poise in the middle was among the key elements.
Boss Michael Duff, who handed debuts to the impressive Zac Hadi, Leeroy Gomes, Gabe Holt and Oliver Hewitt - with Harry Ibbitson making his home bow - said: "It takes time and opportunity. And when the team's been going so well, it's tough to get those opportunities. So all he can do is, when he gets opportunities, do what he's done in the last two games.
"I think he's been very, very good in both games.
"He's a good player. Forty to fifty Championship games, you don't do that by accident.
"The press is a little bit unique here, so it's slightly different.
"So it takes a bit of probably getting used to, in terms of one minute you're in that 10 position and then you've got to be a six. And it takes time and training. And we've not had loads of time to train.
"We've had four (proper) training sessions (since Duff joined). So it's been tough to get into any sort of rhythm anyway."
The one sour note from a rewarding night came with Duff's post-match confirmation that Bobby Pointon’s knee injury sustained at the weekend has sidelined him for a minimum of eight weeks.
Cameron Dawson (calf), George Lapslie (hamstring) are set to be out for up to four weeks, but Josh Neufville should be available for the home derby with Doncaster Rovers on November 21.
Despite a 4-0 loss, York - already eliminated from the Trophy and still seeking their maiden away win on their return to the EFL - performed well for the opening hour before being blown away.
Minstermen chief Scott Lindsey felt the scoreline was cruel, with some justification.
Lindsey, who changed his entire starting line-up from last weekend, said: "It wasn't a 4-0 game for me and I was really pleased with lots of it, to be fair.
"We had two young 18-year-old's start the game and I think we finished with three 18-year-old's and a 17-year-old. I'm really proud of those boys.
"Obviously, there were some older pros who needed some much-needed minutes.
"All in all, it was a good exercise,” added Lindsey.
"It was always going to be hard when their teamsheet came in, but I actually relished that and thought it would be a good test.
"There were lots to be really pleased about, but games are won and lost in both boxes.
"We had some good chances, we just didn't put them away and they did."