Sonny Bradley will captain Lincoln City against Watford in the inaugural Graham Taylor Cup on Tuesday evening. The fixture marks the defender's first appearance for his new club at Vicarage Road, a ground familiar from his five-year spell with local rivals Luton Town.
Bradley, who also played for Plymouth Argyle and Derby County, was taken off at half-time in his final Luton appearance due to illness. He has stated he is fully prepared for this match and will approach it like any other this season, with the aim of helping his team take three points. He acknowledges the atmosphere may be lively given his past, but insists the focus must remain on Lincoln City's performance.
Watford enter the cup tie sitting 20th in the Championship, having taken 14 points from their opening 14 league games, a record of four wins and two draws. Their recent form reads two wins and three losses from the last five, a sequence that includes a 1-0 victory over Lincoln City just three days ago. Stephy Mavididi scored the only goal in that league meeting, assisted by Myron Boadu. Their recent results have been inconsistent, following the win over Lincoln with a 3-2 defeat at Norwich on Saturday 31 October, where Myron Boadu scored both Watford goals. Prior to that, they suffered a 1-0 loss at Wolves on Saturday 24 October, a 2-0 home win over Charlton on Saturday 17 October, and heavy defeats to Cardiff and Burnley earlier in October.
This new cup competition adds a fresh layer of significance to the fixture, with silverware to be awarded for the first time. Bradley expects a mix of reactions from the stands but is determined not to be distracted. The story may centre on his return to Hertfordshire, but the job, he says, is about Lincoln City.
For Watford, the match offers a chance to build momentum ahead of a key Championship home game against Middlesbrough on Saturday 7 November. The Hornets have conceded 23 goals this season, a defensive record they will be keen to improve upon during this busy period.
The Graham Taylor Cup clash kicks off at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.
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