Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has challenged Calum Kavanagh to keep being a “pain in the bum” after the striker’s double helped the Bantams produce one of their most convincing performances of the season.
Kavanagh marked his first start in nine matches with a brace in City’s 4-1 dismantling of in-form Colchester United. The 21-year-old led the line with relentless aggression and played a key role in a dominant attacking display that ended a two-game scoreless run for the Bantams.
Alexander Urges Relentless Mentality
City’s manager made no attempt to hide his expectations for the forward moving forward, urging Kavanagh to maintain the intensity that defined his performance at the University of Bradford Stadium.
“He was giving up two feet each against those centre halves but he didn’t give them a moment’s peace. He was constantly backing into them and making them drop the headers down and that’s what he has to be. He has to be a pain in the bum for everybody and he’ll get his rewards for it.”
Kavanagh opened the scoring from close range after meeting Brad Halliday’s cross at the near post, and later doubled his tally with a composed finish from Brandon Khela’s assist. His goals moved him to nine for the season, underlining his growing importance in Alexander’s direct and aggressive system.
Alexander reflected on the qualities that led to the forward’s arrival at the club, highlighting his commitment and pressing game as key attributes.
“The big thing when we wanted to sign Kav, when we watched him play, he was a little hand grenade dropping bombs all over the pitch and pressing everybody. Even though he didn’t have a goal record to talk of, we went ‘that player will suit our team’.”
Colchester arrived in West Yorkshire on the back of five straight wins, having conceded just once in that spell, but were unable to live with City’s intensity. The win was a timely response from the Bantams following two consecutive defeats without scoring.
Alexander praised the collective intent of his side and the clinical finishing that had previously been lacking.
“All the data was there last week to suggest the same but we weren’t really going that final yard. There were brilliant finishes. The intent was there from every single player.”
Writer’s View
Calum Kavanagh’s double may have grabbed the headlines, but it was his tireless attitude and physicality that stole the show for Bradford City. In a system that values graft as much as goals, his performance embodied everything Alexander demands. If the striker can replicate that hunger consistently, he could yet fire City to a late-season surge up the League Two table.
