Graham Alexander has said that his Bradford City side have continued their recent fine form as they push further clear of the League One playoff-chasing pack.
The Bantams coasted to a victory at Port Vale on Wednesday night, giving them their first away win in two months, which put them level with third-placed Bolton Wanderers and ten points clear of seventh-placed Reading.
Alexander Pleased With Post-Royals Efforts
Bradford have delivered in their past two matches after throwing away any chance of points in their away game against Reading, which saw Leam Richardson’s side score twice in added time to put themselves in the promotion picture.
Since then, City have grounded out a tough home victory against Leyton Orient despite being down to ten men, and then capitalised on their game in hand over the Trotters to cruise to victory in Burslem.
Speaking following the final whistle at Vale Park, Alexander told the Telegraph and Argus:
“We obviously didn’t get a reward of the three points there (At Reading), which we felt we deserved, but it hasn’t hampered the players.
“We followed it up with a win at home on Saturday and this was just a continuation of both performances – and we’ve got the goals to go with it and the clean sheet.
“There are different things that go on away from home than we do at Valley Parade, but I still think we can attempt to play in a way that we do there and commit to the game and play with that attacking intent.
“The only frustration at 1-0 was that we were one slip away from throwing something away. So, to get that second goal in such fashion, I just thought it put the game to bed.
“I thought we controlled the game. I thought the performance was really disciplined, we created so many chances and a few boys out there deserved a goal.”
Bradford continue their streak of games against relegation threatened sides at the weekend with a trip to Wigan Athletic, with plenty of opportunities to extend their advantage over the teams behind them with League One leaders Lincoln City playing both Stockport County and Huddersfield Town over the next week.
Pointon Gives City Promotion Hope Boost
It was a crucial win for Bradford City at a time they needed to find some spell of form on the road with the playoffs now firmly on the horizon.
Bobby Pointon, who hadn’t scored in an away game since their ascension into League One, looked imperious against Port Vale and gave them some much needed confidence going into the final stretch of the regular season.
With a ten-point cushion over Reading in seventh, the Bantams should be able to see the rest of the season through and qualify for the play-offs, something that seemed very unfeasable coming into this season.
Bradford will have to come up against a very tough side in that double header and if they struggle in a likely away game first leg, they could see their chances evaporate before gaining a home advantage at Valley Parade.