Bradford City have long carried the tag of being one of English football’s ‘sleeping giants’.
Their last taste of Premier League action came in the 2000/01 season, when they finished bottom of the table. Since then, the Bantams endured six tough years in League Two before Graham Alexander guided them to promotion last term, securing a place in League One for the 2025/26 campaign.
The step up hasn’t fazed them either. Bradford have started brightly in the third tier, going unbeaten in their opening six matches with four wins and two draws, leaving them sixth in the table at the time of writing.
Support for the club remains huge. Last season, Bradford averaged almost 18,000 fans in League Two — far surpassing Notts County, whose average was just over half that figure. It’s a clear reminder of the club’s stature, the loyalty of its supporters, and the untapped potential that could carry them higher up the pyramid.
Much of this progress is down to Alexander’s tactical blueprint. His approach has been central to their fast start, and this analysis will break down the aggressive, transition-focused style driving Bradford’s resurgence.
Graham Alexander’s Style of Play
Alexander sets his side up in a 3-4-2-1 system.
Bradford may see less of the ball — averaging just 40.9% possession this season — but their effectiveness is undeniable. They’ve produced the highest xG (10.45) in League One after six games, scoring 10 goals in the process. They also rank third for shots per 90 (11.75), while recording the third-fewest passes per 90 (263.59) and the division’s lowest pass accuracy (69.8%).
The message is clear: this is not a team that looks to dominate the ball patiently. Instead, they thrive on intensity, winning duels, and launching direct, dangerous attacks. Bradford are aggressive in both defensive and aerial battles, pressing hard and driving forward at pace once possession is regained.
The philosophy under Alexander is simple — pressure the opponent relentlessly, regain the ball, and immediately put the opposition’s backline under strain.
Graham Alexander’s Pressing Game
Labeling Bradford as just a ‘counterattacking’ side doesn’t do justice to their approach. Rather than sitting deep and waiting to break, they are equally comfortable pressing high and forcing turnovers in advanced areas.
Their 3-4-2-1 shape allows them to swarm opponents near their penalty area, creating prime attacking opportunities the moment the opposition lose possession. The forwards, wing-backs, and midfielders all push aggressively to disrupt build-up play, while the central midfielders and centre-backs step forward to ensure compactness and cover any gaps behind the press.
This vertical compactness is vital, preventing rivals from exploiting the spaces between the lines. At the same time, it enables Bradford to keep their pressing effective and coordinated, often winning the ball back in dangerous areas.
The result is a side that combines intensity, organisation, and ruthlessness — a style that has quickly made them one of League One’s most exciting teams under Graham Alexander.
Leave a Reply