The rise of John Brayford

Gerald Mortimer: Time to trumpet ascent of John Brayford
Derby Telegraph

Aug 15, 2013 6:03AM

John Brayford
JOHN Brayford’s transfer from Derby County to Cardiff City made few waves in the national newspapers.

They were in pursuit of new angles to speculation about the glitterati – Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez – to bother with a deal possibly rising to £2m for a Championship player entering the final year of his contract.

Much better to have the same story written in a slightly different way, especially as the possible fees and wages are mind-blowing.

Yet the trumpets should be sounding for a young Englishman who has made it from the Conference to the Premier League.

The ascent began when Nigel Clough asked former Rams players John Barton and Darren Wassall to help with Burton Albion’s youth team.

After surveying the talent available, Barton produced a summary right out of the Peter Taylor handbook: “If we don’t find some players, we’ll be lucky to win a corner, never mind a match.”

Brayford trained with Stoke City as a schoolboy but they did not offer him anything. He was playing local football in the Potteries when Albion asked him along. He made it through to the Conference side before joining Crewe Alexandra, with Albion chairman Ben Robinson slipping in a sell-on clause.

That paid off when Clough, by now at Derby, bought Brayford and James Bailey from the Alex three years ago. Bailey, incidentally, is now available for transfer, not because he has done anything wrong.

He has just been overtaken by other young midfield talents like Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes.

There was a degree of moaning from the kind of fans who like to have an instant opinion. ‘Why is Clough signing from the lower divisions?’ ‘Sign League One players and that’s where you’ll finish.’

And, tying in Jake Buxton: ‘Clough’s too busy bringing in players who did well for him at Burton.’

Brayford did not take five minutes to banish such pessimism. He was terrific in his three years at Derby.

I have previously likened him to the electric hare at a greyhound track as he belted up and down the touchline and I cannot think of anything more apt.

Occasionally, because of injuries to others, Brayford moved to the centre of defence and was completely at home, making a persuasive case to be considered Derby’s best player in that position.

He is tough, too. He took his fair share of whacks in the scuffling world of the Championship but was usually back on his feet and playing on as if nothing had happened.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has long been covetous. That dates back to his days in charge of Watford and he is not afraid to explore the English market. More managers should do that because there are bargains to be found for those who look hard enough.

I hope Brayford is allowed a decent crack at the Premier League and has not joined Cardiff simply because he provides cover to two defensive departments.

He wants to test himself and is uncomfortable sitting among the substitutes. But if he has to wait his turn, so be it. Then the key is to seize the opportunity.

My daily fix of transfer gossip on text makes depressing reading. All the alleged targets are foreign players and it needs a fee upward of £10m to have a mention.

As the Rams know well, there are bargains to be had in Europe and South America – even Central America – but it is equally possible to land complete duds.

Lower division players should certainly not be dismissed before they have a chance.

Dave Mackay from Tottenham Hotspur was the jaw-dropping signing when the Rams were building towards the greatest period in their history.

But Roy McFarland came from Tranmere Rovers and John McGovern, twice a European Cup winning captain with Nottingham Forest, from Hartlepools United.

Derby thought Roger Davies could at worst provide valid options and he joined from Worcester City.

The search has to be detailed and, of course, much hangs on who is doing the searching.

He may prove me wrong but a bad signing imo. Malky should have gone for a proven PL right back.

Good article thanks.
Always been impressed by him for Derby. Another solid Malkay signing imo.

He may prove me wrong but a bad signing imo. Malky should have gone for a proven PL right back.

"There was a degree of moaning from the kind of fans who like to have an instant opinion. ‘Why is Clough signing from the lower divisions?’ ‘Sign League One players and that’s where you’ll finish.’"

mate at work is a Derby fan - reckoned Brayford is excellent, and has the quality to play in the Premiership.

Will make up my own mind when I've seen him play for a few games, especially if Caulker is his centre half as that combo is new - but I will take the view of a lifelong Derby fan. I think he is fast, hard and intelligent. He offers cover at centre half, and tends to pass the ball to a bloke in his team more often than not. He is also British - whilst I welcome foreign players, I do like to see British/Irish players play in Britain.

Malky is usually pretty good with his targets.

Up the City!

He looked great in Pre Season.

Apparently he wasn't great shakes against Chievo, and didn't even play against Bilbao.

Personally I don't see why he's considered better than Connolly, who despite not being a natural RB, made that position his own.

I hope Malky starts Connolly on Saturday and see how he goes first. Throwing Brayford in from the start would be harsh.