Bradford City boss Graham Alexander insists his team’s mentality remains unchanged despite finding themselves in the unfamiliar position of League Two leaders heading into the final stretch of the season.
City head to Swindon Town this Saturday knowing they are now the team others are chasing, but their manager remains focused on stability and simplicity as the defining fixtures approach.
Being the ‘hunted’ won’t derail Bantams’ approach
When asked whether his team now feel like the ‘hunted’ in this fierce promotion battle, Alexander responded with a smile — and a clear message. “I felt like we were being chased when we were in second position too,” he said. “It’s still three automatic spots and that pressure is the same wherever you sit in the top three.”
Having led the division for several weeks, Alexander sees little difference in how his players should handle the situation, stating that the key lies in keeping their objectives simple and their focus sharp.
“There’s a lot of noise around being top,” he added. “The outside perception changes, but internally, nothing changes. Whether we’re chasing or being chased, it’s about winning the next game.”
Bradford’s rise to first is their strongest at this point of a campaign since the 1984-85 season, but with six teams still realistically chasing the top three, Alexander knows the battle is far from over.
Injury updates offer timely boost
Bradford have been handed some welcome news ahead of their trip to Swindon. Alex Pattison and Niall Byrne, both of whom came off in last weekend’s win against Crewe with minor issues, have returned to training.
Antoni Sarcevic, recovering from a hamstring injury, has also trained and is said to be ahead of schedule, though his availability will depend on final assessments.
“We gave them the best chance of being ready for Saturday,” said Alexander. “They could’ve trained earlier this week but we managed their recovery carefully. They’re professionals and do everything to the best of their ability — it was just about making sure the niggles were gone before we push them again.”
With the season nearing its climax, player management has become a balancing act — something Alexander and his staff are clearly prioritising as they look to maintain momentum.
“Whether you are chasing or being chased, you still have to win games,” said Alexander. “We just keep our eyes in front and tackle each hurdle as it comes.”
Site opinion
Alexander’s no-nonsense approach continues to serve Bradford City well. While others may get caught up in the emotions of being at the top, the manager’s focus remains on the fundamentals: keep players fit, ignore the noise, and win games. With his squad returning to full strength and spirits high, City are positioning themselves well — not just to go up, but perhaps to finish the job as champions.
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