Richie Smallwood has divided the Bradford City fans in terms of their opinions, but overall, the club’s decision to keep the players is a good one.
The seasoned midfielder is now nearing the end of his playing career, but he has been a constant presence in the Bantams’ midfield since signing in 2022.
Smallwood was thought to be in great demand by a number of EFL clubs when he signed for Bradford in EFL League Two, following a strong career spent primarily in the EFL Championship with Middlesbrough, Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, and Hull City.
When Smallwood joined the club at the start of the 2022-23 season, he was regarded as an impressive addition, having made 42 appearances for Hull in the previous EFL Championship season before moving down two levels to join Bradford.
However, despite serving as captain under two separate managers, Mark Hughes and Graham Alexander, Smallwood has received a lot of criticism from Bradford fans.
Smallwood has garnered conflicting reactions from fans on social media and in the stands since his arrival at the club, partly due to the midfielder’s high expectations coming in as captain and from two levels above.
One of the primary criticisms levelled against Smallwood is his dead-ball delivery, which frequently elicits moans from the fans, particularly during home games at Valley Parade. It is frequently due to the corner or free-kick failing to pass through the first defender or the ball being hit too far and falling out of play cheaply.
Smallwood has nine assists in two seasons with the club across all competitions while making 103 appearances during this time, demonstrating that some of the criticism for his dead-ball delivery is justified, but it could also be argued that the players attacking the ball could do more from these positions to score.
However, in terms of general performance, Smallwood frequently protects the defence behind him and seldom loses the ball when in control. Furthermore, his enthusiasm is constantly visible, as Smallwood is far from dispassionate on the pitch and isn’t hesitant to put his foot in when necessary. Some supporters may ignore the gritty job he does in midfield, but in the end a key component in winning midfield battles.
Smallwood has been backed by both former manager Mark Hughes and now by current boss Graham Alexander, both with much respect in the game and although he hasn’t set the world alight with his performances, he has performed during spells of the season, and it would be unfair to label the inconsistency of the team on Smallwood during his two seasons at the club.
When it comes to what Smallwood brings in terms of experience and leadership on the pitch, retaining the midfielder is a good move by the club and manager, Graham Alexander.
Although Smallwood has split the fanbase to some degree during his time at the club, he never hides away from criticism, and his passion for the game is clear. However, fans would like to see more in terms of grabbing a game by the scruff of the neck when needed and rallying the troops when the players need to dig deep during the course of a season.
Ideally, it would benefit everyone at the club if free-kicks and corners were left to other players moving forward. Then Smallwood would be out of the firing line for criticism in this respect, and ultimately, more goals may come from these situations, so it’s a win-win for the club and the fans in that regard.
Smallwood himself admits: “I’m not the player with outstanding skills or perhaps one that catches the imagination of the fans, but I do a particular job for the team.”
However, it is worth mentioning that Smallwood, like the rest of the squad, improved dramatically in the last stretch of the 2023-24 season, and Smallwood was one of the standout performers during that period.
Smallwood appears considerably more at ease in midfield with Jamie Walker and Bobby Pointon on each side of him, as evidenced by the change in formation. The defensive midfielder may concentrate on his defensive duties while leaving the creativity to the players around him. This technique appears to suit the player exceedingly well and has played a significant role in the Bantams’ recent success.
Smallwood will remain with the club for another year after triggering a condition in his contract during the season. Ultimately, the correct decision.
Leave a Reply