Bradford City boss Graham Alexander is optimistic that his squad will receive a timely boost ahead of a hectic festive period.
Key players Alex Pattison, Antoni Sarcevic, and Aden Baldwin are nearing returns to first-team contention, which could ease the selection challenges that have plagued the team in the first half of the campaign.
Injury Troubles Easing?
City’s struggles with player availability, particularly in the left-hand side of defence, have been a persistent issue. Alexander is hopeful that the return of experienced players will help alleviate the strain on his squad as they face a grueling schedule, including ten fixtures from Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Morecambe through to early January.
“It’s great to see these players on the horizon. But as I’ve said, I’m not counting them in yet until they are out there. We’ve had to hold back on our hopes because there have been a few knockbacks over the last couple of months,” Alexander said.
With the busy holiday period looming, Alexander emphasised the need for a full complement of players, noting that squad depth will be critical to navigating the intense schedule successfully.
Squad Depth Crucial
The manager reflected on the challenges of working with a thin squad, often limited to 15-16 players due to injuries. Alexander stressed the importance of having a deeper bench, especially with the frequent use of substitutes in modern football.
“When those games come around, having 18-19 outfield players to pick from will be much better than 13-14. If we can get that to 20-21, that would be a great position to be in,” he added.
Bradford’s recent struggles have highlighted the impact of injuries, but Alexander is optimistic that the worst may be behind them. He remains cautious, however, about the possibility of further disruptions as the season progresses.
Writer’s View
Graham Alexander’s optimism comes at a critical juncture for Bradford City. With a packed schedule and squad depth already tested, the return of key players could be the turning point in their campaign. However, navigating the festive fixtures will require both careful management and a bit of luck to avoid further injury setbacks. If City can bolster their squad in time, they may yet turn their fortunes around.
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