The Coaching System

Bradford had three games left to save themselves.

Three games that would decide if Jake's gamble—his tactics, his leadership, and his war with Holbrook—had all been worth it.

Sitting just four points above relegation, the situation was still dangerous. One slip, and everything would fall apart.

Jake knew the margin for error was razor-thin.

The players knew it too.

But knowing wasn't enough.

They had to prove it on the pitch.

Match 1 – The First Fall (Loss: 2-1 vs. Burton Albion)

The dressing room was silent after the final whistle.

Jake stood near the door, arms crossed, watching as his players sat in pure frustration.

They had just lost 2-1 to Burton Albion,a team that was also fighting relegation.

A must-win game. A six-pointer. And they had thrown it away.

Bradford had taken the lead early, a well-worked goal from Reece giving them hope.

But Burton had responded twice in the second half.

A long-range strike in the 65th minute. A set-piece header in the 81st minute.

Game over.

Jake hadn't said much after the match.

The players already knew.

One mistake was all it took.

And now?

Now they were just one point above the relegation zone.

Match 2 – A Ray of Hope (Win: 2-0 vs. Carlisle United)

They had no choice but to bounce back.

Playing at home, in front of a nervous but hopeful crowd, Bradford showed something different.

Jake didn't change the tactics.

He changed the mentality.

"We're not playing to avoid relegation." His voice was sharp, clear. "We're playing to win. Start acting like it."

For the first time since taking over, Jake saw a team that believed.

They pressed harder. Passed with more urgency. Defended like warriors.

Carlisle had no answers.

Bradford struck early—a bullet header from Nathan Barnes in the 12th minute.

And then, in the 77th minute, a counter-attack finished off by Holden sealed it.

A 2-0 victory.

And more importantly?

A tiny bit of breathing room.

They were four points clear again.

But they weren't safe yet.

Not even close.

Match 3 – The Nightmare (Loss: 3-0 vs. Mansfield Town)

This was the one that hurt the most.

Mansfield Town was a promotion contender.

And they made sure Bradford knew it.

From the first whistle, they were faster, sharper, and more ruthless.

Bradford couldn't cope.

12th minute—Goal. A defensive error.

38th minute—Goal. A counter-attack.

61st minute—Goal. A penalty.

Bradford never stood a chance.

As the full-time whistle blew, Jake stared at the scoreboard:

Mansfield 3 – 0 Bradford.

He turned to the league table.

Bradford was now one point above relegation.

One.

With one game left.

The training ground was silent the next morning.

There was no joking. No casual conversations.

Every player knew what was coming.

The final match of the season wasn't just a game.

It was life or death.

Lose, and they were relegated.

Win, and they survived.

Jake watched his players train, his mind racing.

Tactically, he had one last gamble to play.

For months, he had forced a disciplined, structured playstyle.

Now?

Now, he was throwing that out the window.

"We attack. From the first second."

The players stared at him.

"No sitting back, no waiting for the perfect moment." Jake's voice was firm, certain. "We go for them. Every pass forward. Every run aggressive. Every shot taken."

A deep breath.

"This is the last game of the season. Play it like it's the last game of your careers."

There were no doubts.

No hesitation.

Jake saw it in their eyes.

They were ready.

And they had one last fight left in them.