A bit of patience” – Pundit issues plea to Bradford City over Graham Alexander’s future

Just weeks after being fired by fellow League Two team MK Dons, Alexander was announced as Mark Hughes’ permanent replacement at Valley Parade in November.

Since then, it’s safe to say he has had a difficult time winning over Bradford supporters.

Although there was much regret at losing out on a play-off spot, the 53-year-old guided the Bantams to a ninth-place finish last season. However, a solid run of play at the close of the season gave hope that a promotion drive would be in the works this season.

Bradford had a strong start to the season and had risen as high as sixth in the standings in mid-October, but a losing streak of just one victory in eight games has put more pressure on Alexander.

The Bantams now lie 12th in the standings, three points off of the top seven, after losing 3-0 to promotion rivals Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday. All three goals came in a devastating four-minute period in the first half.

Palmer, in an exclusive, advised Bradford to continue with Alexander for the time being, but he acknowledged that the former Salford City manager needs to see results fast in order to keep his job at Valley Parade.

When Palmer told FLW, “Graham Alexander is under pressure at Bradford City,”

“I don’t support firing a manager; it’s a really tough decision.

“They had a very unfortunate outcome on Saturday, losing 3-0 to Notts County, who are currently in last place in the play-offs. Bradford, on the other hand, are in 12th place with 28 points.

“We’ll have to wait and see, but Graham Alexander needs a result and a good performance very, very quickly because you know what happens, the tide can turn.”

“It doesn’t get any easier because they play Port Vale on Boxing Day, and then they’ve got Chesterfield away, but he needs to string one or two results together to get the supporters off his back and to get them back into a play-off place.”

“It seems the supporters are more frustrated with the people at the top than the manager, but Graham Alexander needs to start turning this around.”

“They are not far from a play-off spot; they just need to put two or three results together, so I think a little patience is required.

“He’s got to do something pretty quick to turn the tide.”

With the club being in its sixth consecutive season in League Two, the irritation of Bradford supporters is understandable.

While the Bantams are just three points from the play-off places, they are already eight points from the automatic promotion spots, and it is hard to claim with any certainty that they will be among the promotion contenders come the conclusion of the season.

Alexander’s tenure at Valley Parade has so far been marked by inconsistency; his successful streaks are frequently followed by a run of disappointing outcomes, and if this trend keeps up, his employment will soon be seriously threatened.

Alexander’s time may come to an end if Bradford loses their next home games against Port Vale and Chesterfield, although wins might also mark a sea change in the team’s season.