Steven Schumacher hailed Wanderers’ strength in depth as his re-shaped side breezed past Bradford to reach round three of the Vertu Trophy.
The Whites’ boss made nine changes to the team that started last Saturday’s draw at Luton Town but still saw his men out-play League One rivals City to go into the last-16 on the back of an impressive 3-0 win.
Winger Ibrahim Cissoko struck twice in the first half with emphatic finishes before Marcus Forss rounded off a fantastic move with his third goal in two Trophy games to wrap up victory against a Bradford side which took a point from a 0-0 draw at the Toughsheet Community Stadium 10 days ago.
“It was a good night for us,” said Schumacher. “We made loads of changes and wanted to try and get some energy and freshen the team up. It just shows again the strength and depth that we've got. Bradford only made a couple of changes and were pretty much the same team as we played in the league here a week or so ago.
“We've managed to come out on top of it and, in the end, come away comfortable winners. I think the way we played in the second half was outstanding. In the first half we were good, we were clinical with the chances that we had, and in the second half we were very good.
“It's a squad game and we're getting goals from all areas of the pitch. We're not just relying on a couple of people which, again, is really important. That's what we want. My only sort of criticism from the night was that we should have had more than three. The big chances that we had in the second half, we should have been a bit more clinical with that. It could have been more but I'm always looking for more and I'm always trying to push the players.
"But it looks like they enjoyed it. When we play that way and we're positive and people are making angles to get on the ball and they're brave then we look like we're a good team, so keep that going. Momentum is a good thing. Winning games of football is fun and the more you can do that, the better. It keeps us going into the next game on Saturday.”
Wanderers are straight back into cup action with an FA Cup second-round tie at League Two high-fliers Swindon Town to try and negotiate at the weekend.
Schumacher admits selecting a side won’t be easy given the resources at his disposal but is eager to extend an eight-game unbeaten run and secure a place in the third-round draw.
The head coach added: “Everyone's desperate to play. I don't know how I'm going to pick a starting XI from that game but we'll figure it out. It's a tough game and everyone will have to be ready to play in that one and try and get us in the next round of the FA Cup as well. I know I've got a good, strong squad and everybody's capable of playing and tonight’s proved that.
“So we just put a team out there and a squad out there that we think can get us in the next round and win the next game. That's what's important because it's a game that we want to try and progress in. Getting into the third round of the FA Cup is the goal and we want to do that.”
Watch the full post-match interview with the boss on Wanderers TV