Tom Bradbury made his EFL debut against Morecambe six days ago. It was an important moment for the Cheltenham defender as just 8 months prior he was part of the Halifax Town squad that fell short in the National League playoffs in the summer.
Although handed a defeat at the hands of the Shrimps, it was a midweek bounce back for the Robins. They managed to beat Salford and advance in the Papa John’s Trophy to the semi-finals.
Bradbury spoke about how a lot more goes into a start than the 90 minutes of game time.
“Everything else that goes with the game. Sort of the day before training when you know you’re involved. The day after when you’ve got to do the recovery. Making sure you get enough sleep, do all your stretches at home” he continued later “It’s been a big week, it’s nice to get my mojo back”
The former Yeovil defender is hoping to keep up his current run of form although he has a tough test of Derby County on Saturday. Who are undefeated since October, and have scored eight in the last three.
“Derby are an iconic team and you know the badge when you see it,” reflects Bradbury. “If I get called upon, and selected it will be a nice day for me and my family. A proud day.”
Yet Bradbury refuses to lose himself in the occasion,
“When that whistle goes, it’s just a game of football. Whoever is in front of me I’ve got to try and beat. Hopefully get three points for the team.”
Expanding on this later, he made sure to highlight how it’s important not to make changes depending on the team “We just go through the usual prep, the gaffer puts the clips up on a Thursday and on a Friday.”
“Obviously they’re in a good vein of form, but we have got a good home record.”
The Robins hold themselves well at home with five wins, and a draw from their 11 matches so far. One of their loses was a narrow 1-0 to league leaders Plymouth.
Looking back to the Aylesbury born player’s debut, he was confident on who he wanted to tell first when he got the news he was starting.
“Me old man, my dad, he’s been my biggest fan since I was a kid. Driven me all over the country. Whenever I get a good bit of news, I’m straight on the phone to him”
With Charlie Raglan’s suspension and Lewis Freestone’s injury handing Bradbury the start, he came into the side suddenly and surprisingly. Keeping that place once Raglan is back next week will be a harder challenge. And with the possibility to get even tougher as manager Wade Elliott looks to bring in another defender.
Although he stands unfazed by this,
“I’ll be the first to admit they’ve (Other Cheltenham defenders) been brilliant, so when everyone is back fit, when Ragsy (Raglan) is back, I’ll have a tough job on my hands. It’s just about doing what I can do really. If the gaffer thinks I’m good enough to play, I’ll play. If not I’ll keep working hard and wait for my next chance.”
“I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, my attitude is to work hard, if I’m called upon I’ll do my best. If not I’ll support the boys that are playing”
