Mark Hughes sets sights on automatic promotion as Bradford City handed Jamie Walker injury concern during 2-0 win at Gillingham

Bradford City boss Mark Hughes set his sights on automatic promotion after his side’s 2-0 win at Gillingham on Tuesday evening.

The former Wales manager was thrilled with the way in-form striker Andy Cook sealed the three points, after skipper Richie Smallwood had headed the visitors in front. Bradford are now four points off third-placed Carlisle having played a game fewer, and look to be in the hunt following an impressive display against a side who had won their last three.

Hughes knows there is still a long way to go, however, with six points separating third from eighth. He said: “We’ve got a game in hand over most of the teams in and around us; if we win that we’ll be just off the automatics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There is a huge group of teams still involved – they have the same ambitions as us, so we won’t worry about them. You have to go into each game with the same positive mindset, regardless of the opposition. I’m pleased with the mentality tonight.”

BRADFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Mark Hughes, Manager of Bradford City looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers at University of Bradford Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)BRADFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Mark Hughes, Manager of Bradford City looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers at University of Bradford Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
BRADFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Mark Hughes, Manager of Bradford City looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers at University of Bradford Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

And Hughes was delighted to see his players were in the right frame of mind to deal with Gillingham’s physical challenge.

“Gillingham have been on a good run and you have to step up to meet their challenges head on,” he said. “We played well at the weekend (against Doncaster) but tonight required a different type of performance – I think I enjoyed this one more.

“We had to do the physical side of the game right. We’ve matched up against a direct and aerial team this evening.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cook scored the Bantams’ second goal to bring his league tally for the season to 18, and his superb dinked finish just after half-time was his fifth in his last six games. Hughes said: “It was a great goal. He keeps on surprising us with those finishes. It wasn’t an easy chance but credit to him for the way he took it. Hopefully he keeps in this vein of form and hits the targets he’s set himself.”

Hughes hopes a knock picked up by Jamie Walker midway through the second half will not prove serious after the number 10 was withdrawn after 71 minutes as a precaution and replaced by Romoney Crichlow.

Hughes said: “It will be sore the next couple of days. It’s not a pull or anything but you have to be careful with those things. Sometimes you can get a little bit of blood in them and it just weakens the muscle a bit. So hopefully he’ll be okay.”