Final Rehearsal: Bradford City vs Salford City
The pre-season curtain came down with a friendly match between Bradford City and Salford City. Manager Graham Alexander's view was not entirely positive, emphasizing the need for full commitment from his players despite the relaxed nature of the game.
Alexander had made nine changes to the Preston starting lineup, ensuring that the team played with intensity. Wing-backs Ibou Touray and Josh Neufville were the only names to remain on the pitch. Joe Wright returned after recovering from an eye injury, while Macaulay Gillesphey was back following a family issue.
Stephen Humphrys led the line for City in his return at Valley Parade. The team created chances despite not playing with the required intensity, with Cartwright coming closest when his drive was steered off the line by Joe Powell. Salford's Macaulay Langstaff and Luke Molyneux combined to score the first goal, while City equalized through Adam Phillips' header.
Positive Performances and Areas for Improvement
Despite the mixed results, there were several positives that emerged from the match. Nick Powell scored his third goal in three games, cementing his chances of a second deal with the club. Kayden Jackson showcased versatility as a wing-back, while Henry Cartwright grew in confidence in midfield.
Reece Welch also showed why City have made him an offer, playing to the end. However, Alexander noted that the team held back at times, particularly in the first half when he felt they were not giving their full commitment. The manager stressed the importance of learning from mistakes and ensuring players are fully committed during training sessions.
The encounter with Salford City provided a decent final examination before the main event-the Carabao Cup kick-off against Rochdale. Alexander highlighted that while it can be too smooth, the real value lies in identifying areas for improvement through such matches.
