Never before had Bradford City made it through to the last four of the EFL Trophy before their deep run in 2023-24, which was brought to an excruciating end in a 1-0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers, leaving Graham Alexander out for more this term.
In charge of Tuesday’s hosts since last November, the 52-year-old has overseen a respectable start to the 2024-25 campaign, as his side have accrued seven points from an available 12 in League Two action so far, while also losing on penalties in the EFL Cup to Bradford City.
Following 2-1 victories over Milton Keynes Dons and Bromley either side of a goalless stalemate with Salford City, Bradford were subjected to their maiden league loss of the campaign on August 31, where Grimsby Town coincidentally inflicted a 2-1 defeat upon them.
On that occasion, a second-half Olly Sanderson strike was inconsequential owing to first-half efforts from Danny Rose and Jason Dadi Svanthorsson, and Alexander did not bite his tongue at full time, admitting that his players got exactly what they deserved in Grimsby.
Now aiming to make amends in the EFL Trophy, Bradford City have a stellar run of home form on their side for Tuesday’s affair, having won four and drawn one of their last five on familiar territory, letting in a mere two goals in the process.
On a weekend where the senior side got one over Tottenham Hotspur yet again, Newcastle’s Under-21s bid to leave their mark against more modest opposition in the EFL Trophy, a competition that may fill the Magpies’ young prospects with a sense of dread.
Indeed, Tuesday’s visitors have been found wanting ever since their inaugural appearance in the tournament in 2017-18, suffering a group-stage exit in six of their previous seven tournaments, the one outlier being a last-16 defeat to none other than Sunderland in 2018-19.
Newcastle’s 2023-24 Premier League 2 showing was also on the forgettable side, having finished 22nd in the 26-team division, and under the wing of Neil Winskill this term, their first three games have at least left something to write home about.
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After a battling 1-1 draw with Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland in their opening affair of 2024-25, Newcastle impressively edged out reigning champions Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in matchweek two, before being beaten by the same scoreline at Derby County on August 30.
Including penalty shootouts – which take place in the group stage if a match ends level – Newcastle Under-21s have embarrassingly lost each of their last 16 games in the EFL Trophy, and the Magpies have to go back to December 2018 for their last win in this feared competition.
