Bradford City urged to take transfer action on “really promising” 26-year-old.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…

Bradford City’s strong start to the summer window will have to be offset by the departure of some players.

Overall, Graham Alexander has welcomed eight new players to Valley Parade since the club’s dramatic promotion to League One.

It’s a leap that, unlike in other leagues, hasn’t been too difficult for those advancing to the third tier in recent years. Only one of the four promoted teams was relegated back to League Two in the previous two seasons.

Bradford did lose some key players over the summer break, including Richie Smallwood and Jamie Walker, but their squad has largely remained intact.

They currently have a 29-man squad and may look to move some players, whose minutes may be restricted, to other clubs.

Bradford urged to take transfer action on former international

Clarke Oduor is one of the main candidates that Football League World’s Bantams fan pundit, Boris Thomson, would like to see sent out on loan.

The 26-year-old former Kenya international made only 19 appearances last season, seven of which were in the starting XI.

“I think one player who could do with the loan move is Clarke Oduor,” according to Thomson. “I think he’s a very good footballer. However, as a wide midfielder, he does not fit into our system of playing five at the back and three forward, because he is insufficiently defensive as a winger.

“He’s primarily a winger or attacking midfielder. His playing style does not lend itself to being a wing back. And I believe this style of play has worked well for us.

“It’s a solid bank of five when we’re defending, and Clarke Oduor cannot play that role. He’s a very good footballer who would thrive in a different system. He’s had moments for us when he looked really, really good, and he’s a very promising talent, but I believe now is the time for him to go out on loan.

“I’m confident he can develop in a situation where he gets more game time and a system that suits him, then return to us and potentially take over a spot in attacking midfield. He just needs to grow in a different system than what we play.”

Reality may hit soon for Clarke Oduor and his Bradford future

Promotions frequently come at the expense of those on the edges. Those who weren’t considered good enough to play major roles in the club’s previous division have an even lower chance of thriving after moving up in level.

In some cases, this trend is booked, and people prove themselves to be more valuable against stronger competition.

There isn’t much hope for someone like Oduor, given Alexander’s system and the competition for positions that he’d likely be in. The attacker has less than a year left on his Bradford contract. The 26-year-old could very well make a permanent return to League Two.

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