Swindon Town faces a concerning situation following recent remarks by Bradford City manager Graham Alexander.
There are indications that he might recall striker Jake Young from his successful loan spell at Swindon back to Valley Parade in January.
Despite Bradford’s struggles this season and the managerial change in October, Young has excelled during his season-long loan at Swindon, becoming League Two’s top scorer with an impressive 16 goals in 19 games.
This outstanding form has played a crucial role in propelling Swindon towards the edges of the playoff positions.
In contrast, Bradford has had a challenging season, leading to the dismissal of manager Mark Hughes. The appointment of Graham Alexander has brought some positive results, with three consecutive wins, but their offensive capabilities remain a concern if they aim to replicate last season’s playoff spot.
Interestingly, Alexander acknowledges the irony that the league’s leading scorer is their own player, and he has suggested the possibility of bringing Young back into the squad in the New Year.
Alexander recognizes the various factors that contribute to a player’s success at different clubs and expresses satisfaction in seeing their players perform well elsewhere. He emphasizes having the option to bring them back into the squad if needed.
Young initially joined Bradford from Forest Green Rovers in 2022 but struggled to make an impact before going on loan to Barrow in January.
While he had a challenging time at Barrow, he has found his stride at Swindon, scoring in his last six appearances.
In the writer’s view, Graham Alexander faces a dilemma. While Bradford desperately needs goal-scoring prowess, Young’s form at Swindon could be the solution.
The question arises of whether to let the player continue his development at Swindon or risk disrupting his form by bringing him back to Bradford.
Despite being currently in 14th place, Bradford is only five points away from playoff contention, and Young could potentially be the catalyst to propel them up the table.
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