Alex Bradley has set himself the ambition of breaking in to the Yeovil Town midfield and manager Darren Sarll says he is not far away from doing it.
The versatile 23-year-old signed permanently last January having played as a right-back for his previous club Lincoln City and whilst on loan at Harrogate Town in the 2019-20 season and played 27 times for the Glovers last season – mostly at right-back.
However, he has only started once for the Glovers this season in a midfield role in the 3-1 FA Trophy win over Woking in December and his only other game time has come from the substitutes’ bench.
Meanwhile, Sarll has brought in Mark Little in the right-back slot and, when the experienced head was missing through injury he brought Dan Moss in on loan, with Morgan Williams also filling in.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Eastleigh on Saturday, the manager explained Bradley’s lack of starting appearances: “I signed Alex as a right back, but he thought – and I don’t disagree – that he would be more beneficial playing in midfield.
“If someone commits to another position, the manager is reluctant to play him in a position he’s reluctant to play in.
“That drove our recruitment for another right back and for support for Mark when he was injured and Dan Moss was a top signing for us.
“It meant Alex was not competing with Mark Little and Jordan Barnett for a spot, he was competing with a bigger pool of midfield players and you have to be the best one.
“I don’t think there would be too many arguments if I said Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington and Dale Gorman have been among our best players this season, so it’s been harder for him to force himself in to the team.
“Alex has all the potential in the world, when he came in last year I likened him to Jack Stacey who is now at Bournemouth. You have these things as a manager and I know if Alex goes in at right back he gives it his all.”
Bradley played 13 minutes at the end of Tuesday night’s defeat at Wealdstone and six minutes in the closing stages of the derby draw against W*ymouth, but Sarll said he had seen “a real resurgence” in the player in recent weeks.
He said: “We have had to have lots of conversations, he’s probably in a stronger position than he has been right now.
“He has been training really well and I have seen a real hunger and desire in him and he’s made an impression when he’s come on.
“Those conversations between Alex and I have been beneficial.“