Bradford City have spent the past 20 years alternating between the third and fourth tiers of English football and, despite their impressive support, are some way from the glory days of Premier League football.
Mark Hughes led The Bantams to the playoffs last term, only to be beaten by eventual promotion winners Carlisle United. Hughes, the former Manchester City boss, then lost his job just months into the new campaign to be replaced by Graham Alexander.
The former Preston North End stalwart took over with the Valley Parade club sitting in 16th and seven points adrift of the playoff places. One word to describe the club this season has to be inconsistent, as they have been able to put together several short unbeaten runs only to come unstuck and lose three on the bounce.
With the size of the club and the huge support they enjoy, many would view Bradford as underachieving as they look set to end the season in mid-table of League Two.
One player who represented the club during their stay in the Premier Division is winger Lee Sharpe. The three-time FA Cup winner joined the club in the summer of 1999 from Leeds United.
Sharpe, who made over 60 appearances for The Bantams, spoke exclusively to The Real EFL about the minimum expectations that will be placed on Graham Alexander and his team next season.
“Behind the scenes, I’m not exactly sure what state the club is in, or how much money they’re going to give him. I think you’ve got to be careful of setting goals and standards. I’m sure that he’s going in and he’ll be trying to get himself as high up the league as he can and trying to get a playoff place potentially.”
The 52-year-old believes the support from those above Alexander will be key to success this season.
“Or is it that he’s got to sell some of his best players and he’s got no money and he’s just trying to avoid relegation? I think I know which one he will be choosing but he just depends on the budget he gets given and the support that he gets given from upstairs.”
“He’s done a great job steadying the ship and I’m sure that he’ll be looking to get a bit higher next season.”
This exclusive was made possible by BetVictor.
Writer’s View
Bradford City always stand out in League Two which should be challenging for promotion. After last season’s playoff heartache, the club would have been hoping to go one step further this term.
The season has provided little to cheer for the Valley Parade faithful and Graham Alexander will be wary of the pressure and expectation that will be placed on him for his first full season in charge.
