The Coaching System-Chapter 179: Shifting Gears

"Itoshi slides it across—RICHARDS!!! That's 1–0 Bradford!"

"A rare run forward from James Richards, the right-back arriving late and unmarked—he buries it with the composure of a striker. What a move from front to back! Valley Parade roars in approval."

29' Minute

"But credit to Sunderland, they've found their feet. Neat interplay down the left-hand side—Bradford's shape looking slightly stretched. Lowe can't quite get there—Sunderland man threads it through..."

"Danger here! Shot comes in—GOAL! Sunderland equalise!"

"Matthew Cox had no chance with that one. Right into the side-netting. It's 1–1, and Bradford have been reminded: there are no easy games in this league."

2nd Half – 63' Minute

Substitution: Off goes Raphael Mensah. On comes Costa.

"And here comes Costa. You can feel the Valley watching closely—after that underwhelming performance in Europe, this is a big moment for the young forward."

84' Minute

"And now—look at this! Bardghji, again the architect, dances past one—slides a clever ball between the lines—COSTA'S THROUGH!"

"COSTA!!! OH, HE'S DONE IT! Redemption in red and amber!"

"The finish is crisp, calm, and exactly what Jake Wilson would've wanted to see. 2–1 Bradford, and Costa looks to the heavens—what a way to bounce back."

Full-Time

🎙️"And that's the whistle! Bradford City, 2 – Sunderland, 1. It wasn't as electric as their European midweek miracle, but Jake Wilson will be just as pleased. A rotated side, a test of depth, and still, three points in the bag."

"Richter's hot streak continues, Costa gets his moment, and Jake's men go marching on in the Championship."

Wed 20 Aug – EFL Cup Round 2 vs Preston North End

1st Half – 14' Minute

"Oh, Richards again with space on the right—he times his overlap to perfection. Gets the return from Rasmussen—low ball in… Costa's there!"

"Costa buries it! That's 1–0 to Bradford!"

"Clinical from the young striker. That'll ease the pressure. But give credit to Richards—he's making that flank his own."

28' Minute

"Now Silva cuts in off the left—he's dragging defenders with him. Ibáñez joins the play, quick lay-off to Velez just outside the D… and he threads a gorgeous ball into the channel—Richards again!"

"He squares it—Costa again! 2–0!"

"Oh, that is beautiful football! Costa with the brace, Richards with his second assist, and Preston look stunned."

2nd Half – 57' Minute

"Daniel Lowe intercepts, sends it forward early—Silva on the break now, dashing down the left. He slips it across to Velez, who holds it up, waits for the run—Rasmussen arriving late…"

"Rasmussen! 3–0!"

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

"Bradford are having fun out there. Velez the orchestrator, and the young Dane finishes with real class."

88' Minute

"Into the final few minutes now—Bradford in total control, but still pressing for more."

"Ibáñez again, dictating the rhythm—slides it left to Aiden Taylor, who's been brilliant tonight down that flank."

"Taylor with the early delivery… Costa's there—touch! Finish! That's the second of the night for the number nine!"

"Clinical. Confident. That's the striker Jake Wilson wants to see more of—and tonight, Costa's making a statement."

"Bradford four, Preston nil. Absolute dominance from the visitors."

Sat 23 Aug – Championship Matchday 4 (A) vs Sheffield United

Bramall Lane, loud and unforgiving, welcomed Jake Wilson's Bradford City with no sympathy and no space. Coming off the back of a euphoric week—a European comeback, domestic cup triumph, and a grinding league win—this was the kind of fixture that threatened to expose fatigue, especially in a squad still learning to manage the rigors of a packed calendar.

Wilson stuck largely with his core, tweaking the XI slightly from the midweek EFL Cup fixture. But the signs were there early—heavy legs, delayed reactions, miscommunications. The sharpness that defined their recent high points was missing.

1st Half – 12' Minute

"Sheffield looking lively here, pushing bodies forward—pressure mounting on Bradford's backline."

"Loose touch from Lowe—Sheffield pounce! Played wide—cut back across the box!"

"And it's in! Early breakthrough for the home side!"

"Bradford caught cold—sloppy in possession, punished by a side that's started with real intent."

34' Minute

"Silva's barely had a touch in this half—Sheffield doubling up on him every time he receives it."

"Richards tries to switch play, but the pass is cut out—Sheffield on the counter now!"

"Ball squared to their striker—first-time hit! Saved by Emeka—NO, wait—it's spilled!"

"And tapped in for 2-0! Sheffield United in full control here at Bramall Lane."

"Wilson's side looks leggy—disjointed—and it's showing."

Halftime Analysis

In the dressing room, Jake's frustration was written across his face. Not in anger, but in understanding. This wasn't a tactical collapse—it was exhaustion. The emotional highs of the last week had drained his squad. Richter, electric just days ago, looked isolated and disconnected. The midfield couldn't hold shape under Sheffield's pressure. Silva, constantly swarmed, looked visibly frustrated.

61' Minute

🎙️

"Still 2-0, and Bradford trying to play their way back into it."

"Chapman, just on, pokes it through to Richter—he turns, shoots—oh, it's just wide!"

"A rare sight of goal for the visitors. But they've got to take those when they come."

77' Minute

"Sheffield controlling the tempo now—slowing things down, knocking it about confidently."

"Bradford chasing shadows, and Jake Wilson looks a picture of frustration on the touchline."

"He's barking instructions, urging his players forward—but there's just no zip left in those legs."

Full-Time Whistle – Bradford Fall 2-0

It wasn't a shock. Sheffield had come with a plan and the legs to execute it. Bradford—wounded by the schedule—couldn't match the intensity. Emeka made several saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but even he couldn't turn the tide.

Jake knew this was coming. Knew a drop would hit after three high-intensity games in eight days. But still—it stung.

This wasn't just a loss on the table. It was a lesson. The fairytale had paused—and the Championship reminded them what kind of beast it truly was.

Jake's Post-Match Reflection

In the tunnel afterward, Jake stood alone for a moment.

Arms folded. Jaw clenched.

He wasn't angry at the players. They'd given everything. But this... this was where the season's real challenge began. Not just reacting to setbacks—but enduring them. Bouncing back. Staying sharp.

Bradford City weren't the surprise package anymore.

They were a target now.

And everyone in the league had just been reminded—they're still learning what that means.

Post-Match Press Conference – Bramall Lane Press Room

The room was packed. Local and international media now followed Jake Wilson's every word—especially with Europe around the corner. But after a sobering 2–0 loss, the tone was subdued.

Jake took his seat, water bottle in hand, no notes in front of him—just tired eyes and the quiet confidence of someone who had nothing to hide.

Reporter 1 – BBC Sport:

"Jake, tough one out there tonight. What's your take on the result?"

Jake Wilson:

"Sheffield deserved it. They were sharper, hungrier on the night. I'm not going to sugarcoat it—we weren't at our level. That's on all of us. Myself included."

Reporter 2 – Sky Sports:

"This is your third match in seven days. You've had highs, now a low. How are the players coping with the schedule?"

Jake:

"They're human. That's the reality. Three intense matches in a week—two of them knockout-level intensity—it takes its toll. We rotated where we could, but there's only so much you can patch with tactics. Fatigue isn't an excuse, but it's part of the truth."

Reporter 3 – The Guardian:

"There were long spells where Silva and Richter struggled to get involved. Were they carrying knocks or was it more tactical from Sheffield?"

Jake:

"Sheffield did their homework. Doubled up on Silva, crowded Richter. We needed to adapt quicker, and I didn't do enough to help them from the sidelines. Simple as that."

Reporter 4 – The Athletic:

"Do you worry about momentum heading into your first UECL group match next week against Fenerbahçe?"

Jake:

"No. I worry about legs. I worry about recovery. But not about belief."

"This squad's proved we can bounce back. Europe is a different animal—and Fenerbahçe? They're a proper test. But we've earned our place. We're not here for the photo op."

Reporter 5 – Turkish Football News:

"Fenerbahçe have experience, pedigree—some big names. How do you prepare a young squad for that atmosphere?"

Jake:

"By telling them the truth. It's going to be loud. Fast. Unforgiving. We respect them, but we won't be starstruck. We've played in front of 20,000 at home and away. We've been under the lights already this season. The shirt doesn't get heavier in Europe—if anything, it means more."

Reporter 6 – Bradford Mail:

"six matches, six very different moods—do you feel you've learned something new about this new league format already?"

Jake:

"Absolutely. I've seen how they celebrate, how they grind out results, and now I've seen how they lose. Quietly. With accountability. No finger-pointing. That's a squad I can build with."

Jake stood, nodded once, and exited without a word more. He didn't need to sell a story. The real answers would come Thursday night, under the lights in Istanbul.