HIWULA MAKES MCCALL SO POSH
STUART McCall felt a first win in his comeback as Bradford manager was nothing more than his side deserved at Posh.
It was a successful afternoon for both the Bantams’ midfield legend and his striker Jordy Hiwula, who grabbed the winner with his 11th-minute header.
The striker’s first goal for the club broke Bradford’s run of goalless draws to start the season which included a sickening 11-10 defeat on penalties to Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup.
McCall, who could only field five substitutes due to the spate of injuries at the club, said: “The last couple of games we’ve come off and been happy with the performance but not the result. Here, we got everything.
“It was an outstanding performance, collectively and individually.
“It was a deserved victory – it should have been more comfortable.
“We had to defend really well in the last five minutes. But I think it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t walked away with all three points.”
McCall is looking to bring another striker into the club. He explained: “I don’t want to put pressure on Jordy. If we can get four strikers to get between ten to 15 goals each that would be great – there are not many 20-goal strikers out there.
“But I’m delighted for him. He’s worked hard at his game and that will do him good.” Bradford stuffed Peterborough 4-0 six months ago, and they pounced early on when Posh left-back Jerome Binnom Williams lost possession, allowing Tony McMahon space to send in a cross which Hiwula headed back across goal and into the net.
Paul Taylor hit a 20-yard effort narrowly over the bar for the home side, but Bradford should have doubled their advantage early in the second half when McMahon’s low cross was steered wide by Josh Cullen, back for a second loan spell with the visitors.
The hosts’ best chance came through Marcus Maddison, whose low shot was tipped round the post by Colin Doyle, while Bantams striker James Hanson twice fired over late on when well placed.
Posh boss Grant McCann said the biggest disappointment for him in the game was witnessing an eighth home defeat of 2016 – something he is itching to put right.
“We huffed and puffed and, all in all, we did not deserve anything,” he said.
“A centre forward should never be free in the box and he’s in there on his own.
“I thought our energy was off, our sharpness was off. I just thought we were way off it, there’s no point hiding behind it.
“They did get the better of our midfield. We were second best for 70 minutes.
“Our home form has been a shambles over the past year or whatever. I’m hoping we are not going to have that kind of run again. I will make sure we won’t.
“We need the win on Tuesday, there’s no way we can go two defeats in a row.”