Bradford City hailed for "absolutely brilliant" signing of "real fighter" | OneFootball

Bradford City have started the 2025/26 campaign in strong form

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Bradford City have started the 2025/26 League One campaign in flying form.

The Bantams were promoted to the third-tier last term in dramatic fashion, with Antoni Sarcevic’s goal in the season’s dying embers handing them a direct route out of League Two.

There was a confidence surrounding Graham Alexander’s side that they could establish themselves in their new division, but nobody would’ve predicted the excellent start they’ve made to the new campaign.

Bradford have won five of their first eight league outings and sit second in the table at this moment in time, losing just once against Doncaster Rovers, who have also started the season strongly.

Scoring goals for fun has been a big contributing factor towards such success, with only Huddersfield Town netting more than the Bantams currently.

Another key factor behind their early-season joy is brilliant recruitment. After achieving promotion from League Two, Alexander brought in players such as Stephen Humphrys, Josh Neufville and Max Power, who have all performed brilliantly during the early stages of this season.

Power has arguably been the most important coup, as he was appointed club captain following the departure of Richie Smallwood. The 32-year-old has started every league game thus far, impressing supporters with his consistent performances and strong leadership skills.

Football League World’s Bradford City fan pundit, Boris Thomson, believes that Power has been an unbelievable capture by the Bantams and stood out as someone to spearhead Alexander’s dressing room from day one.

Bradford City commended for Max Power coup

“When Richie Smallwood left at the end of last year,” Boris began. “I thought it would either be Sam Walker or Brad Halliday promoted to captain.

“When Max Power was announced, I immediately said that they've signed him to become club captain. I think he's an absolutely brilliant bit of business.

“He's got experience all over the pyramid. He's got bags and bags and bags of games in the Championship and League One. He's a real fighter.

“I don’t think he is the bargain of League One. I think there are definitely teams that have made better signings. I would argue that our signing of Josh Neufville was the bargain of League One.

“Power has come straight in, he’s a born leader, speaks really well. An awesome bit of business.”

Bradford City will Max Power’s experience can help them maintain their form

Bradford City’s start to the 2025/26 campaign has been impressive to say the least and already puts them in a strong position to challenge

for the play-offs as the season progresses.

However, as more games are played, teams that haven’t clicked yet will begin to gel and push up the table, which puts increased pressure on the Bantams to raise their performance levels.

Power has plenty of experience and know-how of what it takes to succeed at this level, claiming the League One title three times whilst with Wigan Athletic.

Therefore, his presence in the dressing room as club captain will become increasingly important, as tough periods begin to appear along the road.

If Bradford can make their way through rocky patches and still maintain solid performance levels on the whole, then they could be serious contenders for promotion come May.