Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025Location: Valley Parade
Valley Parade thrummed with an energy different from the usual buzz. There was an edge to it today. A sharpness in the chants, a crackle in the air that wasn't just cold—it was expectation. Southampton weren't just visitors. They were rivals now. Rivals for something bigger than three points.
Jake Wilson stood on the touchline, hands tucked loosely into his jacket pockets, head slightly bowed as he scanned the pitch. His players went through their final warm-up drills, but his focus was elsewhere. Measuring. Calculating.
Behind him, Paul Roberts muttered under his breath. "Feels like a war's brewing."
Jake didn't answer. He didn't need to. His words from earlier still hung over the team like a mist.
If you want it bad enough, show it on second balls.
Not in tactics. Not in perfect triangles. In chaos. In the brawls that didn't make highlight reels but won seasons.
Bradford lined up sharp and brave.
