Bradford City manager Graham Alexander is sticking to his guns ahead of Thursday's crucial League One play-off semi-final second leg against Bolton Wanderers. Trailing 1-0 from Saturday's first leg, the Bantams boss insists his side will not abandon the approach that has served them so well all season.
"There's clarity—we have to win the game," Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds. "The way we have approached all of our home games for the past two years is 'we have to win.' We've never gone into a game targeting any less than that."
It's a bold stance from a manager who knows the stakes. Since taking over from Mark Hughes in November 2023, Alexander has transformed Bradford into a side chasing successive promotions—a feat the club has never achieved. Last season's dramatic last-minute win over Fleetwood secured their League Two title, and now they're just 90 minutes away from another step up.
"We have to look at what we've done over the past two seasons and just this season at home—the blueprint is there for us," Alexander added. "We're not going to change. I don't think I'm giving any secrets out there, we're not just going to come up with some masterplan. I don't want it to be about our opponents, I want it to be about us."
That confidence is backed by a formidable home record that has fans dreaming of another Valley Parade night to remember. The bond between squad and supporters has been forged in those high-pressure moments—like last season's title decider or the time they battled with 10 men to snatch victory.
Alexander isn't planning a rallying cry for the fans. He doesn't think he needs one. "What the fans have bought into and played their part, we've seen it so many times over the past two seasons," he said. "The last game of last season where we were throwing everything at it and it was just constant encouragement, or this season when we were down to 10 men and we went on to win it—it's those moments, and there will be moments and lulls, when the backing of supporters can keep players alive."
For a club that has rebuilt its identity around grit and togetherness, Thursday night is more than just a match—it's a testament to how far they've come. And Alexander is betting that staying true to themselves will be the winning formula.