Nick Powell is confident that Bradford City will secure a place in the play-offs and believes the team has fully earned the opportunity through their performances this season.
Bradford City can officially confirm a top-six finish if they defeat Plymouth Argyle at Valley Parade tomorrow night. Plymouth, who currently sit just outside the play-off places in seventh position, could reduce the gap to only three points with two matches left to play if they manage to win. Despite the significance of the fixture, Powell insists he is calm and unconcerned by the pressure surrounding the run-in.
He explained that he has maintained faith in the squad throughout the campaign, even during periods when he was unavailable through injury. According to Powell, the players have worked hard to put themselves in this strong position and deserve the rewards that may come from it. He is confident they will complete the job and then focus on making the most of the play-offs once qualification is secured.
Powell stressed that Bradford’s fate remains entirely in their own hands, meaning there is no need to worry about the results of rival clubs. While others may talk about how close competing teams are or speculate on possible outcomes, Powell says his only focus is on Bradford’s next game against Plymouth. He added that every match that passes gives chasing teams fewer chances to catch them, so if Bradford continue taking care of their own results, they should remain out of reach.
The experienced midfielder has become increasingly influential from the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks after returning from a six-month absence caused by hamstring surgery. In Bradford’s recent 2-2 draw away at Barnsley, Powell scored the opening goal, which marked his first goal in 19 months.
He said scoring goals is part of his role and something he always wants to contribute, but injuries over the years have made him appreciate football even more. Being sidelined has shown him how much he misses playing, and now his main desire is simply to be involved as often as possible, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Powell also acknowledged that when he first returned to fitness, the team was performing so strongly that it was difficult for him to break back into the side. He openly admitted the players were “flying” at the time, and because of that there was no obvious place for him immediately. However, after training consistently for several months and working hard behind the scenes, he has gradually rebuilt his match sharpness.
His goal at Oakwell was particularly significant because it was his first since scoring for Stockport County against Everton Under-21s in an EFL Trophy match in September 2024. Before that, it had been two years since his last league goal, which came at Colchester.
Powell revealed that before finally scoring for Bradford, he had started to wonder if he would ever find the net again. In the previous match against Stevenage, he believed he had scored with a strong header, only to be denied by an excellent save from goalkeeper Filip Marschall. Then, shortly before his goal against Barnsley, he was denied once more by a reflex stop from Owen Goodman.
Speaking about the eventual goal, Powell said he initially thought the chance might not lead to anything because of the difficult angle he was in. He noticed teammate George Lapslie moving in and aimed his header toward goal, hoping either it would go in or Lapslie would be able to finish the rebound. Goodman somehow recovered to keep that effort out, which Powell praised as an outstanding save.
However, moments later, Stephen Humphrys produced a brilliant run down the wing and delivered a cross back into the box. Powell connected with the ball, and the moment it left his head, he knew it was going into the net.
He said scoring allowed him to properly celebrate with the Bradford supporters and feel a stronger connection with them. Earlier in the season, he had contributed to wins in smaller ways after coming on as a substitute, but as an attacking player, scoring goals brings a different kind of bond with the fans.
Powell concluded by saying that football can often bring difficult spells where goals do not come, but he remains confident in his own ability. He believes that if he can stay fit and enjoy a long run of games over a season, he is capable of scoring many goals. While he has not had that consistency over the past two years because of injuries and setbacks, he insists he does not feel pressure and simply wants to go onto the pitch and perform.
