Lincoln City defender Sonny Bradley was in a confident mood following City’s 3-0 victory against Rotherham United yesterday.
A Reeco Hackett brace either side of Ben House’s close-range volley brought City their first three points at the Bank against the Millers this century. It was a deserved victory, and one that extended the lead over Bolton Wanderers in second to 18 points. Cardiff, in second place, are now seven points behind the table-topping Imps.
It’s fashionable for players to say they don’t look at the table, but Hull native Bradley gave a typically honest assessment of how the players react to other teams’ outcomes.
“We’re aware of results; let’s not be completely naive,” said Bradley post match. “But all we know is that for the past few weeks now, since we’ve put ourselves in a great position, we just need to focus on ourselves, do our job and that’s what we did today.
“No messing about. Back to basics. Created some really good opportunities. Could have possibly been more in the end, but we’re not going to complain at 3-0. It’s a great result, and it sets us up nicely for the last seven games.”
Bradley is a serial winner, promoted with Plymouth Argyle, Derby County and Luton Town during his career. At 34, he isn’t done yet, but when asked if he was surprised by what the club have achieved, he was honest about the aims.
“I don’t know yet, because I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said. “It’s not done yet. We still need to be relentless. We still need to be putting the performances in.”
“We’re chasing down a league title. There’s no two ways about that. I’m not scared to admit it. We have been for a good six, seven weeks now thinking about that, especially going into the Cardiff game. The Cardiff game was a big game.
“At the start of the season, I sat down, and I said that I came and I wanted to achieve something. I didn’t just come here to take part in an average League One campaign.
“That’s not what I wanted to do. I only joined the club because I believed we could achieve something. I said that to the manager before I signed. I said it to Chris (Cohen).
“So far, I think I’ve backed it up in my performances and my belief.”
With seven games to go, the Imps’ hunt for a place in the Championship could be done and dusted over Easter weekend, an unbelievable achievement for a side 18th in the budget table. One thing that won’t be kicking in is complacency, with the influential figure of Bradley assuring fans the mentality will remain the same going into the final month of the season.
“It’s not job done. As much as we want to celebrate and celebrate our achievements so far, football’s a funny game. The moment we take our eye off it and take our foot off the gas, we could get caught out.
“It might be unlikely, but we’re just going to keep the same mentality, keep the same attitude and keep going all the way and possibly fight for a league title.”
City now have a two-week break to get fresh and fit before the arrival of AFC Wimbledon, a game that could see City promoted. A win would ensure Bradford couldn’t catch us, while Stockport would need to have beaten Wimbledon on the international weekend to still be in the hunt. If they have, then we’d need to better their result, and Bolton’s to be assured of the title.
A title Sonny Bradley admits we are now pursuing. I guess to use his own words, it would be naive of a side seven points clear with seven to play to think we weren’t challenging for the title, wouldn’t it?
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