As Bradford City close in on the League Two summit, the noise around their stuttering away form has grown louder.
But inside the dressing room, Graham Alexander and his players aren’t buying into the “travel sickness” narrative – and they believe their form tells a very different story.
City’s dominance at Valley Parade is beyond question. With 48 points taken at home, they lead the division in that respect. But with 21 points from 18 games on the road, critics have begun to ask whether their promotion credentials might unravel away from BD8. That’s especially timely with three of their next four games coming away from home – including an early kick-off at Accrington this Saturday.
No fear on the road
Alexander is adamant that performances outside of West Yorkshire are improving – and he’s backed that up with evidence. Since the turn of the year, Bradford have only lost twice away in League Two, and even in defeat, the manager has pointed to narrow margins and missed opportunities rather than structural flaws.
“We don’t change our approach home or away,” Alexander said. “There are different challenges depending on the opposition, of course, but we prepare with the same purpose and intensity. If we’d turned two of those narrow losses into wins, no one would be talking about this.”
Indeed, the Bantams have registered crucial wins at places like Salford and Bromley in recent months, suggesting their composure under pressure has improved. It’s that growing resilience which Alexander wants to build on, and he insists belief has never dipped inside the squad.
Bradford are currently second in League Two and could temporarily go top if they win at Accrington in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture. It’s a high-stakes clash, with Port Vale looming just days later in another tricky away test.
The manager also hinted that tweaks made earlier in the season have contributed to recent consistency, with minor adjustments to preparation routines paying off without disrupting the team’s identity.
“No chance. If I felt there was a mental block around playing away, we would’ve changed more. But the players are motivated, focused, and we’ve shown we can win anywhere. It’s about maintaining that belief and making sure the fine margins go our way.”
Alexander’s confidence extends to team selection, with several players pushing for inclusion. Alex Pattison and Ciaran Kelly are available after injury, and Bobby Pointon may feature again after a recent foot problem. Defensively, Jack Shepherd is back in contention, giving the manager further options at a crucial stage.
With a sell-out away following set to back them in East Lancashire, and promotion within reach, the timing could hardly be more critical. But Alexander knows that titles are built on more than just home dominance – and the next week could define just how far his side have come.
Site opinion
Bradford City’s story this season has been one of transformation – gritty, organised, and ruthless at Valley Parade. The away form hasn’t quite mirrored that success, but it’s no crisis. Alexander has handled the criticism with composure, and recent evidence suggests his side are heading in the right direction. Now, with pressure mounting and the run-in heating up, it’s not about fixing problems – it’s about proving the progress is real. These next two away days could answer that question for good.
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