Graham Alexander hails Bradford’s character as they hit back to take a point

By Sports Desk December 26, 2023

Graham Alexander was pleased with Bradford’s character as they fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw with Morecambe.

The Bantams, who had won their previous six games in all competitions, trailed 2-0 at half-time at Valley Parade.

But Clarke Oduor and Brad Halliday scored in the second half to rescue a point.

Boss Alexander said: “Over the course of a season you’re going to be challenged in many different ways and face many different hurdles.

“But you’ve got to have the belief in each other and as a team that there is the ability and quality to do whatever it takes to win a game of football.

“We showed that in the second half. There were some really professional performances and we didn’t give them anything.

“We had three or four really good chances – we took two of them and missed a couple we’d probably score on another day.

“We knew we weren’t going to win every week between now and the end of the season.

“It’s about taking whatever we can when it’s there on offer. I was okay with a point.”

Morecambe had gone ahead after three minutes when Adam Mayor’s free-kick was not cleared by the home defence allowing James Connolly to score.

JJ McKiernan increased their lead and former Bradford midfielder Yann Songo’o headed against the crossbar.

Bradford’s comeback began when substitute Oduor finished off Brad Halliday’s cross. Halliday then levelled before Andy Cook was denied a third by the woodwork.

“It was a brilliant finish from Brad,” added Alexander. “Ciaran Kelly put in a great ball and he’s really committed to getting into goalscoring positions and took it well.

“We can’t just rely on Andy Cook to score and we haven’t done that today.”

Morecambe manager Ged Brannan hid his disappointment to praise his side’s defensive efforts.

Brannan said: “It was a great game to watch from the sidelines. I really enjoyed it.

“We dominated the first half and could have gone in four or five up. I was absolutely delighted.

“I love the way we’re improving all the time and I’d say that was our best performance since I’ve been at the club.

“But we knew second half they were going to come back at us and we needed to defend.

“We conceded at a bad time in the game and then the crowd helped them get back in.

“Our lads were brilliant second half and dug in really well. We haven’t had that before with that many crosses coming in.

“You could see our lads tiring because they had worked ever so hard first half.

“You come away with a 2-2 draw at Bradford on Boxing Day and you’ll take that. But obviously we’re a bit disappointed from 2-0 up.”

Related items

  • Everton x-x Brentford: xxx Everton x-x Brentford: xxx
  • Postecoglou thinks Spurs can end Guardiola's Premier League dominance Postecoglou thinks Spurs can end Guardiola's Premier League dominance

    Ange Postecoglou relishes the opportunity to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Premier League dominance after he signed a contract extension with Manchester City.

    It was announced by City on Thursday that Guardiola will stay at the club until 2027 after agreeing a new two-year deal, taking his time at the Etihad to over a decade. 

    Under Guardiola (since 2016-17), City have lost more Premier League games (six) and conceded more goals (22) against Spurs than they have against any other opponent in the top-flight. 

    It is perhaps unsurprising then that, despite the City boss having lifted the Premier League trophy in six of the last seven seasons, Postecoglou was happy his competitor was remaining at the helm.

    "I look at it the other way, imagine you knock him off? That would be something, eh?,"Postecoglou began.

    "And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously. 

    "I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.”

    Postecoglou is preparing to travel to face City in the league on Saturday during Guardiola’s worst run of form of his career.

    City have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions. The Citizens last lost more consecutively between March and April 2006 under Stuart Pearce (six – the fifth game of which was also against Tottenham).

    It could present the perfect opportunity for the Australian boss to start his ascent on Guardiola’s dominance, though he will have to face demons of his own as his side have won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L7).

    "I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going,” he added.

    "I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing."

  • New Man Utd boss Amorim: 'I will do my thing, my way' New Man Utd boss Amorim: 'I will do my thing, my way'

    Ruben Amorim insisted "I will do my thing, my way" at Manchester United rather than concerning himself with where his predecessors went wrong.

    The 39-year-old will be on the touchline for his first game as United head coach on Sunday as they face Ipswich Town, taking over from caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

    Amorim was confirmed as the new head coach at Old Trafford at the start of November after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor run of results.

    The former Sporting CP boss will not look to the past for answers, however, as he looks to turn the fortunes of United around.

    "I will not try to find out the right thing to do or try to find out what was missing with Erik ten Hag, with Jose Mourinho, with Louis van Gaal," Amorim told Sky Sports.

    "I will not try that because I think it's a waste of time. They chose me because they saw something and I do something in a clear way.

    "I really don't know what the [other managers] missed here but I know I will do my thing, my way and try to find out what is missing in my way of seeing football."

    Ten Hag guided United to two trophies but struggled to maintain form across all competitions as they fell to a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

    It adds to the persistent struggles of the club since the departure of Alex Ferguson as, despite their illustrious history, United have failed to win a league title since 2013. But Amorim believes he can deliver success.

    "We will have really hard moments but, in the end, I truly believe that we are going to succeed," he said.

    "The first impression is that it's so big, with a lot of departments. I came from a big club in a small country. Here is a different world.

    "You have a lot to do. You are not just a coach. You have to be something more.

    "So it's a little bit different, but I think I'm prepared for that. And it's Manchester United. It doesn't matter the last years."

    Amorim enjoyed great success at Sporting, winning two league titles.

    He took charge of 231 games in all competitions, the most in the club's history, and won 164 of those matches, losing just 33 times, with his 71% win percentage also a club record-high mark. His team scored 510 goals, averaging 2.2 per game.

    After a successful four-game stint for interim boss Russ van Nistelrooy, Amorim officially took over at Old Trafford on November 11.

    He is, however, understanding that fans may still be wary of the future, given what has come before.

    "I know that at this moment our fans are with mixed feelings - 'I want to be excited, but I have been here so I'm a little bit afraid. It's the same story all the time. I can be disappointed,’" said Amorim.

    "So what I can say is that I'm really excited. I'm not afraid to show it. But I have a clear idea that this will take time.

    "Don't confuse my happiness with naivety. It's not the same thing. I'm really happy.

    "I know what to do. But I have an idea that we are going to suffer a little bit before improving in the way that you should improve."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.