By Tom McDermott

The title of this article is probably a little misleading because the learning and progression period began a couple of weeks ago. What we are seeing now is a consistency to performance, style, and whisper it, but perhaps even results as well.

Here are my five things, not just from the game against Forest Green, but from recent weeks since that painful afternoon in Nottingham.

3-5-2

The formation that was heavily criticised when Mark Hughes was in charge has had new life breathed into it by Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti. Hughes’ 3-5-2 possession at all-costs approach has been replaced with a more structured pressing game, closer support for Andy Cook, and an expectation on wide players, most notably full-backs Brad Halliday and Lewis Richards, to press as high as they can (at the right time) and create overloads when possible.

Forest Green had far more possession than Bradford City on Tuesday evening but it didn’t feel like it at times.

City looked well organised and dare I say well coached, picking their moments well, understanding when to go long, when to play shorter balls into Jamie Walker, or down the channels for Tyler Smith to chase.

Credit Graham Alexander

When Alexander arrived it was clear that he wanted to play 4-4-2 in a style he thought at the time, would best suit the squad he had. After a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Barrow in his first game in charge, you have to wonder what was said at half-time in his second match in the dugout, at Notts County, in front of the Sky cameras, 4-0 down (playing 4-4-2).

The game as we know ended in a 4-2 defeat and on another day, remarkable as it may sound, City could have left with a point.

Since then, City have won convincingly in the EFL Trophy and enjoyed back-to-back league victories, and for this, credit must go to Alexander who has adapted quickly to what he has at his disposal and is playing in a fashion that is bringing results.

It remains to be seen how far this approach will take them, but it certainly feels and looks like the players are comfortable with what the manager is asking them to do. Automatic promotion is probably a stretch too far, but there’s no reason why this side can’t have a real go at making the play-offs.

Leadership and experience

All of a sudden, some of the players who looked like they might not have a future at the club or were perhaps unfancied by the previous manager, have a renewed energy and enthusiasm for playing.

I’ve always felt that this squad, under the right manager, is good enough to get out of the division. Harry Lewis in goal was one of the most impressive ‘keepers in the division last campaign. Halliday continues to excel whoever is in charge, and further up the pitch Richie Smallwood and Walker have enough guile and expertise from a higher level, to really make a difference. Cook might not hit the heights of last season but as we’ve seen, there are still plenty of goals in him and certainly enough in this league to take City where they want to go.

The squad needs trimming but when players like Kev McDonald and Bobby Pointon aren’t even on the bench (for various reasons), it suggests the squad might not be as weak as some might have you believe.

Old habits

Alexander admitted after the game that his side got a little bit sloppy in their defending – and he was right. City’s problems were caused by City. After an impressive opening period and getting two goals ahead, the players took their foot off the pedal slightly. Yes, you expect the home side to react, and they did to a degree, but Alexander might look at how his team can ‘manage’ the game better when ahead.

City were a class above on the night and it was comfortable, but there were one or two warning signs or ‘old habits’ that threatened to creep back in.

After the break, Smallwood under-hit a pass back to Lewis which nearly resulted in a goal, and late on, Ash Taylor, who has improved in recent games, didn’t deal well with Forest Green’s direct ball and was dismissed, needlessly.

So while it was a good performance and three away points, most of the encouragement the home side received came from City, something that will have been noted and that will be worked on in the coming weeks/months. Better teams might not have been so lenient. 

Conclusion

My belief is that City hit rock bottom at half-time at Notts County. It might, on reflection, have been the best thing that could have happened to them this season. The players look happier, there’s belief in the 3-5-2 approach that wasn’t there under Hughes, and supporters, albeit very early, can see a style of play emerging.

The question is; is there enough time to accumulate enough points to make the play-offs? The gap isn’t that big but you have to allow for further bumps along the way, given that the manager is still new, it isn’t his squad, and that he joined with a third of the season already played.

I’ve seen enough from Alexander over his career to suggest that if he’s given time, he’s capable of taking City out of the division, if not this season via the play-offs, then certainly next.

Categories: Match Reviews, Opinion

Tags: 2023/24, BCAFC, Forest Green, League Two