Antoni Sarcevic had words of encouragement for two of his Bradford City teammates after his brace against Leyton Orient.
A double from the attacking midfielder fired the Bantams to a 2-1 win at the weekend, continuing the club’s strong home form.
33-year-old Sarcevic was the senior figure in Bradford’s three-pronged attack, supporting youngsters Bobby Pointon and Ethan Wheatley.
Antoni Sarcevic weighed in with two goals as Bradford City defeated Leyton Orient.placeholder image
Antoni Sarcevic weighed in with two goals as Bradford City defeated Leyton Orient. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
Wheatley has now blanked in each of his first seven Bradford appearances but Sarcevic believes goals will come for the 20-year-old.
Antoni Sarcevic’s message to Manchester United prospect
He said: “Bobby’s a homegrown hero here and Ethan’s a young lad who is finding his feet in the EFL.
“I still think Ethan is doing brilliantly for us. I know he’ll pride himself on goals but I think what he give us to us is really good. The goals will come if he keeps going and Bobby’s just a pleaure to play with.”
Ethan Wheatley is still waiting for his first Bradford City goal.placeholder image
Ethan Wheatley is still waiting for his first Bradford City goal. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
Praise for Stephen Humphrys
Sarcevic also spoke glowingly of Stephen Humphrys, who provided the stunning assist for Bradford’s winner against Orient.
The 28-year-old has not started in League One since January 31 and while Wheatley is battling for his first goal, Humphrys is battling to win back his place in the team.
When asked about Humphrys’ contribution from the bench, Sarcevic said: “I can't speak highly enough of him. I just want to shake him at times because he's got everything and he can be so big for us from now until the end of the season.
“I hope that's helped him because I can't thank him enough. It was an unbelievable through-ball that's made it easy for me to make the finish.
“He's one of my closest teammates in there and I'm buzzing for him as much as I am for myself. Hopefully it can kick him on as well.
“He's a level-headed lad and he's always working hard. He's wanting to come on and make an impact, which I feel like he has done. I just hope he can continue that and help us from now until the end of the season.”
Stephen Humphrys has found himself out of Graham Alexander's starting XI at Bradford City.placeholder image
Stephen Humphrys has found himself out of Graham Alexander's starting XI at Bradford City. | George Wood/Getty Images
Promotion aim reiterated
Graham Alexander’s side are fourth in the League One table with 11 games left to play and Sarcevic has admitted it is hard to ignore the standings.
He said: “I’m not going to lie and say we ignore it. It’s a big three points for us and keeps us in the play-offs. That’s our aim, that’s what we want to do.
“We still want to collect as many points as we can. If other teams around us win, that’s on them. We focus on ourselves.”