Bradford City v Colchester United - Young Bantams fill Stuart McCall with optimism

Little wonder he is not “desperate” for further additions and cannot wait for today’s visit of Colchester United.

The Bantams have played two cup matches already this season – one in the League Cup, one in the Football League Trophy – which showcased the depth of talent still at Valley Parade despite having to cut the wage bill in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday’s 0-0 EFL Trophy draw with Doncaster Rovers – who won on penalties – was achieved with senior debutants Finn Cousin-Dawson, Connor Shanks and Kian Scales, and Jorge Sikora making his first start. It has only added to McCall’s excitement about the League Two campaign which starts this afternoon.
“We have a lot of healthy competition and our young lads are pushing everyone as far as possible,” he said.

“We have a group which is capable of playing in a lot of different systems and that is a huge positive for us.

“All the young lads have stepped up so far and the players we have not seen so much last season have all done brilliantly in training.

“We have to look at every different opponent and think about how we can hurt them.

“We’re not in a desperate need (for signings) at the moment.”

It all adds to McCall’s enthusiasm for today’s test against one of last season’s beaten play-off semi-finalists.

“Some teams have got in young, upcoming managers who are naturally hungry and desperate to do well,” he said. “That doesn’t mean to say the old codgers like myself aren’t the same. We’ve been waiting six months.”

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James Mitchinson