GRAHAM ALEXANDER has urged Bradford City’s players to avoid ‘being weighted down by all the concerns’ surrounding the club and to ‘keep their thoughts clean’ at a difficult time in the season.
City suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat in Saturday’s 3-0 setback to Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Town, a performance and outcome that veteran player Kevin McDonald labeled as ‘unacceptable’ in the aftermath.
It was also a day when City owner Stefan Rupp and CEO Ryan Sparks faced further criticism from the irate Bantams traveling contingent, who vented their frustrations in a disastrous second half.
City’s defeat in the derby dropped them to 17th in League Two. If their terrible run continues, they are in serious risk of matching their lowest Football League finish in modern history. Or worse.
Bradford finished 18th in 2010-11 and repeated in the next season. The club’s previous lowest finish came in 1965-66, when it was re-elected to the old Division Four.
Injury difficulties, along with fan unrest and bad form, are creating the equivalent of a perfect storm at the beleaguered club.
Alexander stated, “It (feels) like that a little bit. However, rather than becoming bogged down by all of the issues, we must keep our minds clear and our composure while working through them.
“Certainly, there have been many factors that have worked against us, but there have also been many things that we have created for ourselves and must improve on.
“We need to work carefully to ensure that we complete those tasks.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. I believe there are a few individuals who might be, but there is no place for it in football, especially in a successful team.
“We have to get rid of that emotion right immediately and ensure that we will achieve success.
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“We need to make our fans, the people around us, believe that we still have wonderful traits and personalities. That is what we have to present. We have no other alternative. If we exhibit anything else than that, we will lose.”
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On Saturday, few City players passed test, with loanee Dan Oyegoke being one of the rare exceptions, having recently returned to action after a long-term shoulder ailment.
The Brentford defender had the misfortune to score a late own goal, but his effort throughout the game demonstrated the spirit that Alexander expects from his men in the coming games.
Alexander, whose team faces Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday, added: “We’ve all been there as defenders.
