Bradford City v Salford City – Former Bantams’ boss Gary Bowyer returns with playoffs in mind

City have endured a bittersweet campaign in 2020-21 and it was the same last term until the season was suspended due to Covid-19.

Under Bowyer, the club were among the League Two pacesetters and were in second spot at the start of November, 2019.

Three months later, the Bantams dropped out of the play-off positions and Bowyer was sacked.

Bowyer, appointed as Salford chief for the rest of the 2020-21 season last month, makes a first return to BD8 since his dismissal tonight, with the Ammers being just outside of the top seven and, unlike City, with a fighting chance of making the end-of-season lottery with three games.

On working with Bowyer, Cooke, handed a chance to rebuild his career under him after a tough time at Peterborough United, said: “I enjoyed it and I also enjoyed my time with him at Blackpool (too). I think he’s a good manager.

“I know people maybe questioned his tactics or whatever but, to be honest, he does seem to get results.

“Since he has gone to Salford, he has steadied their ship again and they are in with a shout of the play-offs.

“I will be honest, I was very surprised (when Bowyer left Bradford). I thought we were going to go up. At one point, we were absolutely flying. Maybe a bit of complacency kicked in, who knows.”

Last six games: Bradford DWLLLL; Salford WWLDWW.

Referee: C Pollard (Suffolk).

Last time: Bradford 1 Salford 1, December 21, 2019; League Two.

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