The Coaching System

Tactical Adjustments – Jake's Game Plan for the Second Half

With his arms folded, Jake Wilson watched his men get ready to return to the field from the tunnel.

The first half had been a defensive battle, with Okafor making several crucial saves to keep the score level at 0-0. However, Bradford had struggled to create anything meaningful in attack.

That was about to change.

Jake had made one key substitution—Ethan Walsh, the young winger, had replaced Ryan Carter. The plan?

Bradford would push forward slightly when counterattacking, using Walsh's pace on the right.

Novak and Thompson would stay higher up, ready to pounce on any loose balls.

Richards and Taylor, the wing-backs, would push forward more aggressively when the opportunity came.

Jake walked up to Walsh, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't hesitate," he said. "Run at them. They won't expect it."

Walsh nodded, determination in his eyes.

The whistle blew.

Second half, here we go.

Bradford Starts Stronger

Right from kickoff, Bradford looked sharper.

They pressed higher up the pitch, forcing Fulham's midfield into quicker decisions.

Walsh's direct running on the right side immediately caused problems.

Saidi and Barnes held the defensive line well, repelling crosses and through-balls.

In the 52nd minute, Bradford created their first real chance of the half.

Walsh received a pass from Lowe and immediately sprinted down the right wing.

He cut inside, beating his marker, and whipped in a dangerous cross.

Thompson met it with a header—but it flew just over the bar.

Jake clapped in approval. "That's what I want! Keep going!"

The game was still 0-0, but momentum was shifting.

Fulham Strikes Back – Okafor's Heroics

Fulham, now aware of Bradford's more aggressive approach, responded immediately.

In the 58th minute, they launched a rapid attack.

Their left-winger cut inside and played a through-ball to their striker.

Saidi slid in for a last-ditch tackle but missed by inches.

The striker was one-on-one with Okafor.

Jake tensed on the sideline.

The Fulham forward fired low toward the bottom corner.

Okafor reacted instantly—diving to his right and getting a fingertip to the shot!

The ball deflected off the post and was cleared away by Barnes.

Jake let out a breath. "This kid is saving us today."

Paul Roberts shook his head. "Okafor's the only reason we're still in this."

But Bradford needed more than just saves. They needed a goal.

The Breakthrough – Saidi's Long Ball, Walsh's Goal

In the 68th minute, Bradford finally found their moment.

Saidi intercepted a pass in defense and took a quick look up.

Fulham's full-backs had pushed too far forward—leaving space behind.

Saidi launched a perfect long ball over the top, targeting Richards on the right flank.

The right-back controlled it well and immediately drove forward.

He sprinted past one defender.

He looked up, spotted Walsh arriving in the box.

He curled a low cross into the danger area.

Walsh timed his run perfectly, ghosting between Fulham's center-backs.

He met the ball with a first-time shot—smashing it past the Fulham goalkeeper!

GOAL!

1-0, Bradford City!

The away bench erupted, players rushing to celebrate with Walsh.

Jake grinned slightly, arms still crossed.

"Perfect execution," he murmured.

Paul whistled. "The kid's got something special."

Walsh's first goal for the senior squad had just given Bradford a shock lead over a Premier League team.

Now?

They had to hold onto it.

As expected, Fulham threw everything forward after conceding.

They switched to a 4-2-4 formation, adding another striker.

They started firing crosses into the box, testing Bradford's defensive structure.

Their midfielders shot from distance, looking for any breakthrough.

Okafor was called into action twice more.

In the 74th minute, he parried a long-range shot away from danger.

In the 79th minute, he made a brilliant close-range save, stopping a point-blank header.

Saidi and Barnes were immense in the air, clearing every ball that came their way.

Richards and Taylor tracked back relentlessly, making key tackles to disrupt Fulham's wingers.

But as the 85th minute approached, Jake noticed something concerning.

His players were starting to tire.

They had spent most of the match defending, and Fulham were only increasing the pressure.

Jake turned to his bench.

He needed one last change.

In the 86th minute, Jake called over Tommy Hale, the young center-back.

"You're going in for Novak," Jake said.

Hale blinked. "But… he's a winger, boss."

Jake smirked. "I know. We're shutting this game down. Five at the back. No risks."

Novak, exhausted, jogged off as Hale took his place.

Bradford switched to a 5-4-1, parking the bus for the final minutes.

Jake shouted his final instruction.

"Defend like your lives depend on it!"

Fulham pushed for an equalizer, launching one last desperate attack.

In the 90th minute, they won a free kick just outside the box.

Jake held his breath.

The Fulham midfielder curled it toward the top corner…

But Okafor leaped and tipped it over the bar!

The referee blew the whistle.

FULL-TIME: Bradford City 1-0 Fulham.

Bradford had just beaten a Premier League club.

As the players celebrated, Jake was already thinking ahead.

The system flashed an evaluation.

[Ding! Tactical Analysis Complete]

[Weaknesses Exposed:]

Midfield lacks physicality – Carter struggled against aggressive pressing.

No pace on the right – Richards had to cover too much ground alone.

Jake nodded.

This confirmed what he already knew.

They needed two new signings.

A strong central midfielder to control possession under pressure.

A pacey right winger to balance the attack.

Press Conference – Jake Announces Transfer Plans

The media crowded around him, eager for his thoughts.

"Jake, how does it feel to beat a Premier League team?"

Jake shrugged. "It's preseason. What matters is how we play when the real season starts."

"But this proves your tactics work, right?"

Jake smirked. "It proves we're heading in the right direction."

Then, one reporter asked, "Are you making more signings before the season begins?"

Jake didn't hesitate.

"Yes. We'll bring in two more players. A midfielder and a winger."

The media buzzed with excitement.

Bradford City had just beaten Fulham.

And now?

They were about to get even stronger.