The Coaching System

Three days later, 

The floodlights at Valley Parade cast long shadows across the pitch as Bradford City prepared for another crucial night in their remarkable Carabao Cup journey.

This time, the challenge was Newport County, another League Two side, but one that had been unpredictable in cup competitions.

Jake stood near the dugout, arms crossed, as the system flashed a match prediction before kickoff.

[Ding! Match Scenario Simulations Completed]

Win Probability: 65%

Draw Probability: 20%

Loss Probability: 15%

Bradford was the favorite, but Jake knew better than to take any team lightly. The system had also identified three key weaknesses in Newport's squad:

 Slow center-backs – Struggled against quick attackers.

 Weak in aerial duels – Vulnerable to crosses and set pieces.

 Overcommitted midfield – Often left gaps when pressing too high.

Perfect.

Jake had rotated the squad to keep key players fresh for the upcoming league matches, but the starting XI was still strong enough to dominate.

Starting XI (4-2-3-1 Formation – Rotated Squad)

🔹 Goalkeeper:

Jack Simmons 

🔹 Defenders:

James Richards (RB)

Noah Fletcher (CB)

Lewis Hart (CB)

Aiden Taylor (LB)

🔹 Midfielders:

Charlie Benson (CDM)

Daniel Lowe (CDM)

Ryan Carter (CAM)

🔹 Forwards:

Renan Silva (RW)

Joe Thompson (ST)

Alex Grant (LW)

First Half 

The moment the referee blew the whistle, Bradford City immediately took control of the match.

From the very first possession, Jake's plan was clear—quick passing, high pressing, and stretching the play wide. Newport County had set up with a deep defensive block, hoping to frustrate Bradford, but Jake's men weren't giving them a chance to breathe.

Every time Newport tried to play out from the back, Bradford's midfield swarmed them like predators. Carter and Benson pressed high, forcing errors. The fullbacks, Richards and Taylor, pushed up aggressively, pinning Newport's wingers deep into their own half.

The visitors were already on the ropes.

5th Minute 

Bradford nearly found an early breakthrough when Ryan Carter spotted an opening in the Newport defense.

With a single glance, he saw Silva making a blistering run behind the right-back. Carter wasted no time, threading a perfectly timed through-ball into the penalty area.

Silva sprinted past his marker, controlled the ball with his first touch, and had only the keeper to beat.

The stadium held its breath.

Silva took the shot—a powerful low drive to the bottom corner!

But Newport's goalkeeper, diving at full stretch, managed to get a fingertip to it and pushed it wide for a corner.

The crowd groaned.

Jake clapped on the sidelines. "That's it! Keep going!"

Newport had survived, but it was clear they were already struggling.

12th Minute 

Bradford continued to pile on the pressure.

Newport had barely touched the ball, and when they did, their passes were rushed and sloppy. Every clearance came straight back at them.

After a series of relentless attacks, Bradford finally won a corner kick.

Jake signaled to Carter. It was time to use the Set-Piece Mastery function the system had provided weeks ago.

Carter delivered a wicked outswinging corner towards the near post.

At first, it looked like a normal delivery, but Daniel Lowe, positioned perfectly, flicked the ball on with a back-header—completely catching the Newport defenders off guard.

At the far post, Noah Fletcher was waiting.

The center-back, who had been left unmarked, powered a downward header into the net!

GOAL!

Bradford 1-0 Newport County! 

The stadium erupted.

Fletcher wheeled away in celebration, pumping his fists. His first goal for Bradford.

Newport's defenders looked at each other in frustration. They had been completely fooled by the routine.

18th Minute 

Newport tried to respond by pushing their midfield forward, but that only played into Jake's hands.

Bradford waited for their moment, then struck again.

Lowe won back possession in midfield and quickly played the ball to Benson. Benson, without hesitation, slipped a pass to Silva on the right wing.

Silva, one of the fastest players on the pitch, immediately drove forward.

A Newport defender rushed toward him, trying to close him down.

Too slow.

Silva cut inside with a sharp turn, leaving his marker stumbling. Another defender lunged in—Silva skipped past him effortlessly.

Now just outside the box, Silva took a touch to set himself, then curled a beautiful left-footed shot toward the far post.

The Newport goalkeeper dived desperately.

Too late.

GOAL!

Bradford 2-0 Newport County! 

The home fans exploded in celebration.

Silva pointed to the sky, grinning, as his teammates rushed to congratulate him.

Newport's body language told the whole story. Their defenders' heads were down. Their midfielders looked at each other, confused.

Jake glanced at the system as it updated Newport's defensive integrity.

[Ding! Opponent Defensive Integrity: 55% → 40%]

They were mentally breaking down.

After Silva's goal, Bradford continued to press aggressively.

23rd minute: Silva nearly grabbed another goal after linking up with Thompson, but his shot was blocked at the last second.

30th minute: Ortega spotted Carter making a late run into the box, delivered a perfect ball, but Carter's volley went just over the bar.

38th minute: Richards intercepted a poor clearance and whipped in a dangerous cross, but the Newport keeper punched it away.

Despite controlling over 70% possession, Bradford weren't content with just two goals. They wanted more.

Jake shouted instructions from the sideline, urging his players to stay sharp.

As the first half neared its conclusion, Newport looked desperate for the halftime whistle.

They were exhausted.

They were overwhelmed.

And Bradford weren't finished yet.

Second Half 

Jake stood at the edge of the technical area, arms folded as the halftime whistle blew. 2-0 up, completely in control.

But he wasn't satisfied.

Newport was struggling, but he could see minor gaps in Bradford's midfield. Daniel Lowe had done well in the first half, but he was slowing down.

Jake knew what to do.

As the players walked back onto the pitch, he called over his assistant, Paul Roberts.

"I'm bringing Ortega on for Lowe," Jake said. "Tell him I want him to push higher up the pitch and keep the tempo up."

Paul nodded and relayed the message as Jake turned to his bench.

"Ortega, get ready," he said. "I need you to dictate the play in midfield. Keep the pressure on them."

Ortega nodded, eyes burning with determination.

45th Minute: Alejandro Ortega ON, Daniel Lowe OFF (Fresh legs in midfield)

The second half began exactly like the first.

Bradford controlled possession, pressed aggressively, and moved the ball quickly.

Newport, still reeling from the first half, barely strung three passes together before losing the ball.

Jake could see the difference immediately.

Ortega's presence added fluidity to the midfield. Instead of just sitting deep, Bradford was now pressing even harder, with Ortega and Carter dictating the tempo.

51st minute: Ortega found Silva on the right, who immediately whipped in a dangerous cross, but it was deflected out for a corner.

54th minute: Carter and Ortega exchanged quick passes, slicing through Newport's midfield. Carter played a through ball to Silva, but his shot was blocked at the last second.

55th Minute – Silva's Cross & Thompson's Header (3-0 Bradford!)

Jake clapped his hands, urging his players forward.

And then—they struck again.

Silva, now fully confident, received the ball on the right wing. He glanced up, spotting Thompson making a run into the box.

Silva faked a move inside before pushing the ball down the wing and whipping in a dangerous cross.

The ball curled into the six-yard box.

Thompson charged in.

The Newport defenders were too slow to react.

Thompson rose highest, met the ball with a thunderous header, and smashed it into the back of the net!

 GOAL! Bradford 3-0 Newport County!

Thompson pumped his fists, roaring in celebration as his teammates surrounded him.

Jake nodded in approval. A perfect goal.

[Ding! Opponent Defensive Integrity: 40% → 25%]

Newport was falling apart.

63rd Minute

Newport finally mustered a response.

They won a rare free kick near the edge of Bradford's box. A Newport midfielder stepped up, curled a shot over the wall...

The ball dipped toward the bottom corner.

But Jack Simmons reacted instantly.

The young goalkeeper dived to his right, stretched out a hand, and tipped the ball just wide of the post!

A brilliant save.

The Newport fans groaned.

Jake smirked. Not bad, Simmons. Not bad at all.

Tactical Changes & More Substitutions

With the game under control, Jake made another substitution.

He wanted fresh legs on the wings to keep the pressure up.

65th Minute: Jamie Collins ON, Alex Grant OFF (Pace on the wing)

Collins immediately made an impact.

69th minute: Collins received a pass from Ortega, dribbled past his marker, and fired a shot just over the crossbar.

Bradford kept attacking, refusing to let Newport breathe.

By the 75th minute, Jake made his final change.

75th Minute: Lukas Novak ON, Joe Thompson OFF (Resting Thompson after a great performance)

Novak took his position up front, eager to make his mark.

85th Minute 

With five minutes left, Ortega picked up the ball in midfield and immediately scanned for options.

Newport's defensive line was exposed.

Jake shouted from the sideline, "Now! Play it through!"

Ortega didn't hesitate.

With one touch, he sent a perfect through ball between the center-backs.

Novak, reacting instantly, sprinted onto the pass, took one touch to control it, and—

BURY IT INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER.

GOAL! Bradford 4-0 Newport County!

The stadium exploded in cheers.

Novak slid on his knees, arms stretched wide, as the fans chanted his name.

[Ding! Opponent Defensive Integrity: 25% → 10%]

Newport had completely collapsed.

Jake simply smiled.

Full-Time – 

FINAL SCORE: Bradford City 4-0 Newport County

As the referee blew the whistle, Jake shook hands with Paul Roberts and walked toward the tunnel.

The players soaked in the applause from the fans.

[Ding! Carabao Cup Progress Achieved – Quarter-Finals Unlocked]

Manager Growth: +1 Match Preparation