'Clean slate': £1.25m Portsmouth man hits key breakthrough in bid to kick-start Bradford City career
Hayden Matthews is yet to register a League One appearance for Bradford City since his summer loan switch from Pompey.
Hayden Matthews frustrations have been well-documented in recent weeks following his summer loan switch from Pompey.
The Aussie is yet to register a single minute of league football for the Bantams, who currently sit second in League One, after agreeing a season-long deal from Fratton Park in August.
The £1.25m capture has been limited to just three appearances during his time in Yorkshire - of which all have come in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy (EFL Trophy).
However, Matthews is looking to make an instant impression under new boss Michael Duff, who was appointed earlier this week as Graham Alexander’s successor at Valley Parade after the Scot recently joined Preston North End.
£1.25m Pompey man completes first 90 minutes in 10 months
Indeed, the Pompey loanee impressed in the backline as Bradford ran rampant against Rotherham United, with the new head coach watching the 4-0 triumph from the stands.
In fact, the display represented the defender’s first 90 minute outing in 10 months, with his previous coming in a 1-1 draw for the Blues against QPR on Boxing Day.
Since then, Matthews has registered just seven competitive appearances and was heavily affected by an ankle injury, which kept him sidelined for a significant period during the second half of last term.
Despite not being named in a single matchday squad for the Bantams in League One, the Aussie will now have a ‘fresh slate’ to impress under new boss Duff as he looks to kick-start his time away from Fratton Park.
Interim boss Mark Trueman told The Telegraph and Argus after Tuesday's game: ‘The gaffer let us lead the team and not really changed anything. It’s obviously an opportunity to show the new manager what they're about.
‘It is a fresh slate for everybody, but in terms of the mentality of the group, it hasn't changed.
‘I think they still would have performed like that whether it was a new manager or not.’
Pompey chief on Hayden Matthews’ Bradford struggles
Amid Matthews’ frustrations at Bradford, sporting director Rich Hughes made it clear the Blues’ loanees currently struggling away from PO4 - including the defender as well as Josh Knight and Makenzie Kirk - have to make their mark in League One if they want a future at Fratton Park.
He recently told The News: ‘We do like them to be playing, but one of the challenges is if they want to be professionals for Portsmouth Football Club, they have to go and find a way of getting into teams.
‘There are probably varying circumstances for varying players. Toby (Steward) has been going great guns, we are really pleased with that.
‘Hayden probably had the toughest assignment in terms of going into a team which wasn't conceding many goals and winning games, which makes it quite difficult.
‘He’s had a bit of involvement in terms of the Vertu Trophy and the Carabao Cup but, ultimately, the challenge falls at Hayden’s door to go and work his way into a team.’