Bradford City’s recent dip in results has ultimately reinforced their promotion credentials, according to head coach Graham Alexander, as per the Yorkshire Post.
After winning seven of their opening ten league matches following promotion, Bradford went six games without a victory during October and November.
However, five of those fixtures ended in draws, ensuring the club remained firmly in the automatic promotion conversation. A subsequent run of three consecutive wins has lifted them to second place ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient.
Bad form leverage for improvement
Alexander has framed that sequence as a useful recalibration rather than a setback, arguing that consistency, not momentum, defines sustainable success.
“We try to take drama away from professional football,” he said. “There’s a lot around it. It’s like a soap opera. That’s good for people talking about it 24-7, but that’s not how we need to live our lives.”
Rather than focusing on the absence of wins, Alexander said internal discussions centred on performance levels and emotional control, particularly during a stretch dominated by draws against strong opposition.
“We have to have consistency and composure,” he said. “Putting context on those continual draws for the players, the staff, myself and the supporters to understand the bigger picture is important.”
Alexander also suggested the winless run provided a timely reminder of the challenges posed by League One, particularly after a dominant start that may have softened expectations.
“I think we all got caught up in it,” he admitted. “You win seven of your first ten games, steamroller some teams, and maybe some of us start thinking this could be easy. Then reality hits. Teams adjust to you, and you realise how tough it is.”
Relatively easy Christmas period
Despite being second in the table, two points clear of third-placed Lincoln with a game in hand, the festive period can see a lot shift. Bradford, on paper at least, have an easier Christmas than the likes of Lincoln and Cardiff, who play each other this weekend.
Port Vale and Mansfield Town are winnable, and while Wigan looks challenging, they’d expect to be competitive against them and Leyton Orient. Alexander will certainly know if the dip in form really has given them a boost come the first week of 2026, when things will really have taken shape over Christmas.
