Beautiful football all the way for Bradley

He stands an imposing figure at 6ft 5in '“ a towering central defensive unit who plays with plenty of power.
9/5/13   sport

Pompey's new signing Sonny Bradley.

Picture: Paul Jacobs  (131254-6)9/5/13   sport

Pompey's new signing Sonny Bradley.

Picture: Paul Jacobs  (131254-6)
9/5/13 sport Pompey's new signing Sonny Bradley. Picture: Paul Jacobs (131254-6)

Sonny Bradley, though, has warned not to underestimate his footballing ability.

And he has pledged to bring a passing style to the Pompey back four in their bid to climb out of League Two at the first attempt.

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The 22-year-old has been earmarked as Joe Devera’s defensive partner in the new-look Blues side.

Having made 48 appearances with Aldershot last season, League Two is a standard the former Hull man has learned how to handle.

Bradley endured a tough time last term as the Shots failed to remain in the Football League.

Now he has a fresh challenge and believes he can bring a dimension to the Pompey side which may surprise some – considering his appearance.

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He said: ‘I like the rough side of my game but having come up through youth football at Hull, they like to play football, so I can pass the ball.

‘Most of the League Two centre halves this season will kick it into row Z and head it as far as you can – you won’t get that with me.

‘I didn’t get much of a chance to do it last season (with Aldershot) but if I can I will get the ball down and I’ll pass.

‘I’ve spoken to the manager and that’s his plan.

‘He wants to play that type of football, which sounds good to me.

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‘I consider myself a modern-day centre-half in that I am able to use the ball as well as defend.

‘Even though it is a fairly basic, straightforward league, the teams that do prevail and progress are the ones that do actually play football.

‘I have played against your Gillinghams, Cheltenhams and Port Vales – and they are all players who can play and want to get it down to pass.

‘They are the teams that do progress, so if that’s the case at Portsmouth I can see us doing very well this season.’

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For Pompey fans, football in the bottom division is an experience they haven’t tasted since 1980.

At least with the likes of Bradley, Devera, Tom Craddock, Andy Barcham and Ricky Holmes there are players in the squad who understand the scene well.

Bradley also made 14 appearances on loan with the Shots during the 2011-12 campaign.

Regardless of his age, the central defender knows what this level is about.

He added: ‘It will be different for the fans.

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‘But then again I watched League One games on Sky last season and haven’t been overly impressed.

‘I don’t know what they are expecting but it won’t be too much new.

‘There will be teams turning up week in, week out wanting to compete, there’s no doubt about it.’