Conor Bradley is expecting a tough encounter tomorrow when Bolton Wanderers travel to take on Ipswich Town as he feels it will see two sides playing a similar style come up against one another.
Wanderers travel to take on the Tractor Boys this Saturday afternoon at Portman Road. They will be seeking to begin the 2022/23 campaign in positive fashion after a top 10 finish last season.
The Whites are seeking to mount a promotion charge this campaign, but will be far from the only side with that ambition. Many ambitious teams will contest League One this campaign and another competitive season is in the offing.
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Bradley has joined Wanderers from Premier League giants Liverpool for the season on loan. He is poised to make his competitive debut for Wanderers tomorrow against the Tractor Boys.
And the full-back is anticipating a tough encounter when the two sides lock horns against one another. He is looking forward to challenging himself at League One and pushing for promotion.
He said: “Obviously it’s going to be a tough game, it’ll be a good test for us, but we’re all looking forward to it, we’re all eager to go and just can’t wait for it.
“Obviously it’s going to be a difficult game and the first game being away as well makes it even harder, but they will be a good football playing side. They like to press as well so it will be a tough game. They’re quite similar to us in the way they want to play so that’ll be a good game but a tough game as well.
"Hopefully, if we get a good start against Ipswich it will set us up well for the season. If I’m involved, it will be a great occasion and I just can’t wait for it.
"That’s what it is all about – challenging myself and trying to get better every day. There are some big teams in League One and it is going to be a tough league, but hopefully we can push for promotion and do everything we can to get it.
"I love playing on the front foot. I want to press, win the ball back high and create chances. That is everything that Bolton want to do, so it is perfect really."
Bradley has been welcomed with open arms at Wanderers. He has already played with Northern Ireland team mate Dion Charles and now links up with the striker at club level.
He is also building a relationship with Gethin Jones, whom he will play closely alongside this season. Bradley is poised to be right wing-back, with Jones on the right on a back three.
But the most welcoming person at the club for Bradley has been Manchester City loanee James Trafford. He has bonded with Trafford following their similar paths in the game.
He said: “Probably Traff, obviously we’re a bit similar as we both came on loan, he’s been really good. He’s a nice lad.
"Gethin Jones as well helped me settle in just the way we want to play football. He’s helped me settle in and tell me what he wants and what’s expected from a wing-back.
"In the first week that (having Charles here) was very good for me. It was important to have Dion here, someone to speak to and someone you know. Someone I have linked up with in the past. It was very good having Dion here.
"You have to have understanding with everyone you are playing with, and that takes time – you don’t get it straight away. But I have built up a good relationship with Gethin.
"So far, we have played most of the pre-season games together. That partnership is working well, and you just need to have partnerships with everyone in the team really and understand how each other plays."
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