Bradford City

Brad Halliday was a huge part of Bradford City's charge to promotion from League Two last season, making 43 appearances and earning a spot in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.

But is yet to feature in League One this term and has only played in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Stoke City and the 2-1 EFL Trophy victory over Grimsby Town.

But the 30-year-old sees it as evidence of the competitiveness throughout the Bradford City squad.

"When you look through the squad, it's really healthy. [There's] strength and depth," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I just keep myself fit and if I am needed or called upon I'm always available to give my best for the team."

Halliday scored the second goal in the win over Stoke, proving he is ready to deliver the goods when his manager turns to him.

Halliday now embraces 'helping people'

In alignment with manager Graham Alexander's communicative managerial style, experienced members of the squad like Halliday provide mentorship to newer members.

Halliday is cultivating a mentorship with summer signing Josh Neufville, whose success so far has effectively forced him to the sidelines.

Halliday played as a right midfielder 32 times in League Two last season, which is the position Neufville has played in each of the six league games so far this season.

"It's about the team ultimately at the end of the day," he added.

"Josh has come to speak to me about position specific stuff which obviously I can help. I've actually enjoyed it. I know it's strange saying that with not playing but I do like helping people."

Bradford City face League Two champions Doncaster Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST) in a rematch of the league game played at the back-end of last season which made Doncaster champions.

Listen to the full interview with Halliday and more Bradford City on Sounds.

Bradford City head coach Graham Alexander has admitted his side wasn't good enough in the first half of their EFL Trophy tie against Grimsby Town.

The Bantams came back from behind in a spirited second-half performance to beat the League Two side, who had been reduced to 10 men after Henry Brown's red card in the 27th minute.

"I thought we were poor in the first half. We didn't the energy needed, the intent on the ball," Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I thought their goal was coming as we were just slow in our play and did not approach the game in the right way.

"When the penalty was given, I'd already been thinking something like that was coming for ten minutes before."

Despite the tricky first-half performance from his side, Alexander's men were able to turn things around after the break, with a late brace from returning striker Andy Cook was enough to secure the win.

"Based on the second-half possession, and the amount of opportunities we had around the box, we needed to score and we deserved to score," Alexander added.

"I'm glad we have won the game because we take each game seriously, each competition seriously.

"It would have been a bitter one to take if we hadn't won the game tonight because we would have only had ourselves to blame.

"As professionals, we should be going into every game looking to win it."

"To be 1-0 down and 2-1 down and still get stuck in and still find the energy and the confidence to go out there and win. We've had some fantastic wins this season, that's the win of the season."

In the latest episode of the BBC podcast 'Take Me Home', Jamie Raynor, Paul Hudson and Mark Bower discuss how grounding out a win emphasises competitiveness in League One before revisiting the emphatic 3-0 EFL Cup win at Stoke City, in what was a fine August for Bradford City.

Listen to the full episode of Take Me Home and more on BBC Sounds.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been speaking to the press ahead of his side's home fixture against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Forwards Antoni Sarcevic and Stephen Humphrys have both trained after missing Tuesday night's EFL Cup second round victory at Stoke City with illness. Alexander is hopeful that both they and defender Matthew Pennington (ankle) will be available for this Saturday.

• Striker Andy Cook is now back in full training with the squad as he continues his rehab from an ACL injury to his left knee. The next step in his recovery is '11v11' game time which Alexander hopes to give him in a behind-closed-doors friendly, however that's proving difficult to organise due to their current busy schedule.

• Defender Lewis Richards is back in training after a muscle strain but remains "two weeks away" from selection due to an interrupted pre-season, with a need to build up his fitness. Calum Kavanagh's shin issue continues to be troublesome, with no specific timescale on his return to training.

• With just days remaining of the summer transfer window, Alexander feels they still need to add one more player. He wouldn't specify which area they're looking to improve, when asked. Due to budget, it remains dependant on whether or not they can move on any of the existing squad before the window closes.

• Alexander said squad rotation is something he's continuing to grapple with, admitting that he's having to adapt his instinctive management style. He spoke of his learnings from last season after a number of injuries hampered their early season form.

Listen to Alexander's full pre-match press conference and more on BBC Sounds.

Bradford City head coach Graham Alexander said his side delivered their best performance of the season in knocking out Stoke City in the EFL Cup second round.

After drawing 1-1 at League One's bottom side Peterborough on Saturday, the Bantams bounced back with a stunning 3-0 victory over the Championship leaders with goals from Will Swan, Bradley Halliday and George Lapslie.

It was the second time this season they have upset a Championship club after winning 2-1 at Blackburn in the previous round.

"I just thought as a performance that was our number one performance this season, as an all-round performance," Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds.

"We are just learning each game, every time we have a little knock-back like Saturday, we just improve again and we learn from that experience and try and improve on it.

"The players are showing that they are brilliant professionals, they trust each other and they are committed to their jobs, and you get performances like that if you have those three things."

Bradford will discover their third-round opponents following the Grimsby v Manchester United tie on Wednesday, with the nine remaining Premier League teams in European competition also entering at the next stage.

Alexander, who made five changes for the trip to the Bet365 Stadium, added: "I want to reward all the players with games and I wish I could pick all 20 every game, I really do. I want them to know that I value them and it's not through words but actions.

"You get performances like that when you have made changes, and I know Stoke had made changes too but they are still a top Championship squad.

"We were the better team and we deserved to win that game - it was a really tough challenge, but the players look forward to it."

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander believes that forced substitutions hampered his side as they drew 1-1 at Peterborough United through an agonising 91st-minute equaliser from Cian Hayes.

Alexander made five substitutions after Will Swan opened the scoring in the 55th minute, but he believes those changes disrupted the flow of the game.

"The intention was to keep the team, [we] were playing well, we were energetic but a couple of boys had mentioned about their tightness in certain muscle areas," Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds.

The Bantams manager did not disclose which members of his starting line-up had been forced off but was clear that he has to be careful with his players at the beginning of a season which will involve upwards of 50 games.

"The two things that we [need] to get through this period is picking up points and keeping players fit," he said.

Alexander is keen for his group to have learned from a tumultuous season in League Two last year, which ended in promotion.

"[We] started the season really well then lost five/six players for three months and we were in the bottom half of League Two, we have to remember that and learn our lessons," he added.

Bradford are unbeaten on their return to League One so far this season, but Alexander believes his side can always be striving for three points.

"There'll be a frustration from us all that we didn't see the game out with a clean sheet and take the three points," he said.

Bradford currently sit fourth in League One with 11 points from five games.

Listen to the full interview with Graham Alexander and more on BBC Sounds

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been speaking to the media before his side's League One match against Peterborough United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Defender Joe Wright remains unavailable due to concussion protocols, after sustaining a head injury during City's EFL Cup win against Blackburn Rovers. Alexander says the 30-year-old is expected to resume full training on Monday.

• Forward Calum Kavanagh's recovery from a shin issue has "plateaued". Alexander says he's not set to return to training for a couple of weeks.

• Antoni Sarcevic should be fit to play on Saturday. The 33-year-old was forced off with cramp after scoring the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Stockport.

• They will take their time over the availability of new addition Nick Powell. The 31-year-old will be treated initially as a "rehab player", with Alexander noting his lack of game time due to injury over the last year.

• Alexander described defender Curtis Tilt as a "monster" in the Stockport win. He explained that Tilt's previous performances as an opposition player was a big factor in why they signed the 34-year-old in the summer. Alexander said it's very rare an individual from the opposite side stands out from the touchline, when he's usually focusing on his own team.

• On the summer transfer window, Alexander said the club have received enquiries about a couple of their players, but the individuals in question have chosen not to explore those options. It's understood forwards Tyler Smith and Adam Wilson have been told they're free to leave the club this summer. They each have a year remaining on their contracts.

• Despite their form, Alexander remains wary of Peterborough, describing Saturday's game as a challenge. Darren Ferguson's side have lost all four of their opening league games.

Listen to Alexander's full pre-match conference and more on BBC Sounds.

How will Bradford City get on in their first season in League One for six years?

In the latest episode of the BBC podcast 'Take Me Home', Jamie Raynor, Paul Hudson and Mark Bower discuss the Bantams' prospects for the season ahead, having started with two wins and a draw.

Bradford visit Stockport County on Tuesday, 19 August. Tune in to full commentary on BBC Radio Leeds.

Listen to the full episode of Take Me Home and more on BBC Sounds.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Making just nine appearances in all competitions last season due to injury, it's understandable why this move for Nick Powell has been questioned by some of the Bradford City fanbase.

Even more so when you consider Stockport's willingness to settle his contract a year early. An attacking midfielder by trade, Powell's position in the much used 3-4-3 formation by manager Graham Alexander doesn't immediately become obvious.

However, his addition may suggest a potential switch to the forward line this season, or at the very least the option to change for Alexander.

In the early stage of this season, we've seen City shift to a more uncommon 3-4-1-2 system. The one behind the two up front formation potentially offers Powell a spot in this squad, although there is stiff competition with the likes of Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon.

It must also not be forgotten how last season's pragmatism in recruitment aided Bradford's bid for eventual promotion.

Defender Paul Huntington was acquired as a free agent on a short-term deal prior to Christmas which was eventually extended through the entirety of the season.

Corry Evans was brought in on similar terms at a time when injuries had ravaged availability. And defender Callum Johnson was offered a one-year contract on the back of an injury-hit campaign at Mansfield, but went on to contribute when called upon.

Of the three players listed, Powell's acquisition has hallmarks of the Johnson deal. With his contract understood to be until the end of the season, this is the 31-year-old's chance to revitalise his career.