Bradford City

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's opening League One game against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

Here are the key lines:

• Alexander says his new three-year deal as manager is not a reward for the club's dramatic final day promotion to League One last season but a validation of the work that's been done by himself and his backroom staff. He revealed that club CEO Ryan Sparks had first mentioned a new deal months before.

• Alexander believes there is still a lot of potential at Valley Parade and is passionate that more can be achieved over the next three years.

• The club have made nine signings this window and Alexander says they're still looking to recruit further, specifically on an unnamed area. They're yet to identify that individual.

• He went on to explain their current budget allows for one more addition. "Any more than that, we'll have to trade. We'll have to have outgoings."

• "A couple of individuals" were told on the first day of pre-season it's likely they won't be in Alexander's plans. There is nothing close regarding their departures, with Alexander confirming interest has been shown but deals have not materialised.

• When asked about the use of the loan market, he said the club were open to it but stressed the importance of Bradford owning players and the need for long-term consistency. The club are yet to make a loan signing this window.

• Out-of-contract defenders Paul Huntington, who made 21 appearances last season, and Jack Hunt have both been training with the squad during pre-season. Alexander is yet to decide whether they will be offered deals.

• Defender Neill Byrne is out for at least two months with a knee problem, with fellow defender Ciaran Kelly (groin) and forward Calum Kavanagh (shin) doubts for this Saturday.

Listen to the full pre-match press conference with Graham Alexander and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Bradford City chief executive Ryan Sparks says there has been "huge inflation" in the transfer market as the club ready for their return to League One.

City were promoted on the final day of the season and managed to sign eight players before 1 July as Graham Alexander rebuilds his squad.

But despite Birmingham City and Wrexham winning promotion to the Championship last season, Sparks says there are still other big-spending clubs who have made the third-tier market tricky to negotiate.

Sparks told BBC Radio Leeds: "We wanted to move quickly and have a squad ready for pre-season and we did that. We were always going to have plans regardless of what division we were in.

"It is an intense market, the activity in League One has been like never before, there is huge inflation in the market.

"But we are very happy with what we have done. We have been able to attract players for different reasons and we will continue to do that. The window doesn't close for some time yet.

"Recruitment is really important and there are conversations every day. The process doesn't change but the cost of players does.

"The manager has the final say on players, that will never change as far as I am concerned."

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

Image source, Getty Images

Bradford City boss Graham Alexander says there is a "feel-good factor" at the club as they prepare for a return to League One.

The Bantams beat Championship side Middlesbrough 2-0 in a pre-season friendly last week, with goals from Antoni Sarcevic and Will Swan.

Swan is one of a number of new faces settling in at the club and Alexander is pleased with how his squad is shaping up.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "We looked incisive and dangerous when we had the ball against Middlesbrough.

"We looked clunky in our first few friendlies but we have eight new players and we are changing their mindsets. It takes time, it's a process.

"We are still not there but the new players are getting more confidence.

"We try to do our due diligence on their characters as people and they have settled in well. It is a good group of players who want to work, it is a good environment to walk into.

"There is a feel-good factor in the club - but we haven't kicked off yet."

City begin their League One return at home to Wycombe on Saturday, 2 August, after their memorable last-day, last-gasp promotion from the fourth tier in May.

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

Image source, Getty Images

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