2 days Ago
GRAHAM Alexander insists City must be prepared to win promotion the hard way, warning: "Don't go soft in the head." The Bantams have seen a five-point cushion in second spot reduced to just goal difference after a difficult week on the road. They need to pick up the pieces after losing to third-placed Port Vale in Saturday’s clash with Crewe at another frenzied Valley Parade.
But boss Alexander has reminded his players that it was never going to be easy. “It depends on your mentality but it’s hard,” he said. “Football’s hard, winning is hard.
“Don’t be afraid of how tough it is to be disciplined and focused in your mind. “Don’t expect things to be easy, every game to go to plan and everyone to fall away so we get promoted. “It’s not going to happen that way so don’t go soft in your head and almost wish it was going to be like that.
“Be tough in your mind and disciplined and know that we’ve got another challenge on Saturday and then another one after that. “At the start of last summer, would we have taken second place in the league with six games to go? You bet your life we would. “Let’s go relish the place we’re in and the opportunity we have right in front of us.
Just go and commit to it.” Alexander reviewed the Vale Park setback with the players at training yesterday. He also came under scrutiny for making defensive changes despite keeping a clean sheet at Accrington three days earlier.
His message is to focus on beating Crewe and nothing beyond that. “It’s all about the next game,” he added. “We have to give direction and correct where we think it’s needed.
“But going forward, we’re only looking at Saturday. “There is an urge for everybody to dip for the line when you’ve got one of those top three spots and wish all the other games away. “That’s not the scenario.
Let’s keep our composure and just get ready for Saturday’s game.” Alexander was encouraged to see City improve in the second half on Tuesday and not buckle under. But he also reminded the players how strong the team have been over the past 12 months.
“I said to them after the game, ‘well done for the second half’. They did everything we asked of them at half-time. “I know how difficult it is when you’re getting to the end of the season against a promotion rival and you’re 2-0 down at half-time.
“It would have been easy to fall over and not one of them to a man did that. That’s where our winning mentality comes from. “Before last night, we’d played 46 league games over a year and picked up 89 points.
We’ve been the best team in this division. “That’s not me feeling good about my players, that’s the fact. Let’s not concentrate on first half or second half but what we’ve done for a year now.
“We’re a really good team and make sure we continue to do it. But we need to understand where our strengths are and keep repeating them.”.
