Ryan (@ryantom1126) makes the case … Should Bradshaw be on the plane?
Has the Millwall striker landed back on Rob Page’s radar after an impressive start to the season?
The next couple of weeks will see Cymru manager Page hard at work picking his 26-man-squad for the upcoming world cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith a wealth of players to choose from Page will be forced to make some bold calls in deciding who to select for Cymru’s first world cup in 64 years.
With Rhys-Norrington-Davies looking likely to miss out on the tournament due to a hamstring injury, there will be a spare seat on the plane for one or more fringe players. And one of these could very well be Tom Bradshaw.
The Millwall striker has been on fine form this season, notching an impressive four goals in 12 games so far.
“Yeah, that is definitely at the top of the list of things I love doing”, said Bradshaw when asked about getting back on Page’s radar following a stunning first-half hattrick against Watford last week.
“I’m always hopeful I’ll get called up again. All I can do is keep scoring goals for Millwall and hope the call comes”, said the forward.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor regular viewers of the Championship, however, an in-form Bradshaw will seem like nothing out of the ordinary. Such is the talent of the 30-year-old who has consistently shown himself to be a reliable goal scorer at this level.
Each of the past three seasons have seen the forward record a tally just short of double digits. With his lowest tally of five goals coming during the 2020/2021 season. Although it is worth pointing out that he did play significantly less than in previous seasons, with only 1,043 minutes clocked according to transfermarkt.
Embed from Getty ImagesBradshaw, who grew up in Gwynedd and therefore qualifies for Cymru, has already been capped three times for his country.
He came close to featuring in the historic Euro 2016 squad but missed out due to a calf injury.
Whilst it remains unlikely that the Millwall man will sneak his way into the starting 11 in time for the opening game, an argument can be made for Bradshaw’s importance as a backup option on the bench.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Kiefer Moore and Gareth Bale remaining as Cymru’s only real central forward options, it could prove useful to have Bradshaw as an extra body in case of an injury to either of his peers.
After recovering from a broken foot sustained in March, Moore has slowly been working his way back into Bournemouth’s starting line-up. But with a busy club schedule ramming in games ahead of the World cup, it could prove beneficial for Page to have the option of lightening the load for one of his key players.
Embed from Getty ImagesBradshaw’s strengths are strikingly similar to his counterpart Moore’s, with the Millwall player thriving in the role of a target man.
Bradshaw averages 4.15 ariel duels won per 90 minutes, alongside averaging 6.28 progressive passes received according to fbref. These attributes make him perfect for a physically demanding role that requires an ability to receive, and play passes off successfully as a focal point in attack.
Bradshaw will have to fight for his seat on the plane. But if he carries on his good form, it could go a long way in convincing Page that he’s the right man.