Bradley expects diamond to sparkle under Jones

Skipper Sonny Bradley expects the diamond formation at Kenilworth Road to sparkle once more under returning boss Nathan Jones.

The system was a huge favour of the manager’s during his first spell in charge and Bradley wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar style utilised once more when Preston North End come to town on Saturday.

The Town skipper said: “It’s no secret that Nathan likes to play a four diamond two system, I don’t feel like I’m letting the cat out of the bag with that one.

“We have played that a little bit this season, but we haven’t played it in the same structure that Nathan likes to play it.

“He likes to play it slightly different, but we have young, intelligent boys at this football club, who I think, will pick it up relatively quickly.

“If Gary (Sweet, chief executive) said we need to ‘hit the ground sprinting’ then he is right because the season will start and we need to win games of football.”

Although staying up looks a tough ask for Town with just six points adrift of safety and just 27 left to play for, Bradley thought they were showing signs of being able to maintain their Championship status ahead of the season being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic back in March.

He added: “Before Graeme (Jones) left, we were starting to look good, we were starting to come together.

“We hit a bit of decent form and there was plenty of energy there.

“The last few games we did play four diamond two, but I think under Nathan there will be more structure to it and more energy to it.

"We have to step it up anyway, regardless of what Nathan does, and bring that energy to the table."