Graham Alexander encourages Bradford City to shoot on sight

Yes, the opposition might “only” have been Liverpool’s under-21s in the Bristol Motors Street Trophy.

But the numbers spoke for themselves last week as City set about trying to fill their boots while well on top.

It’s been a while but shots, and goals, are suddenly back in fashion again at Valley Parade.

The Bantams have hit the net 15 times in the four-and-a-half games since Graham Alexander reset the tactics board after a 45-minute whopping at Notts County.

The belief to take the risk and have a go is flooding back – a welcome return from the timid, shot-shy side from the final weeks of the Mark Hughes era.

“When I first came in, the ability to shoot and score was there,” said Alexander. “It was just the intent and being prepared to live with failure.

“You’re not going to score or hit the target with every shot but keep trying. Keep going for it, keep getting in good positions.

“I’m not talking about shooting from 35 yards just to say ‘I had a shot’. It’s about working the ball into good areas, which I feel we are doing.

“We’re getting a high percentage of shots from good goal-scoring areas.”

The Bantams have actually netted in 14 consecutive league games – a run only bettered by Peterborough in the entire EFL.

But statistics can be misleading. Despite scoring three at Forest Green last week, City are the fourth lowest scorers in League Two.

Evidence like last week’s Trophy showing, though, indicate that could soon be about to change as Alexander preaches a more positive mindset.

He added: “We’ve spoken about being an attacking team and the qualities we have within the group.

“I’ve told them, I’ve never chastised a player in 10 years for taking a shot.

“We have to play with that risk and go for it. I think players will learn over time.

“It’s good to have a shot and get the crowd going, feel good about yourself and show the opposition you mean business.

“It’s important to do that. The game is about scoring more than your opponent.

“All the other stuff that’s been reinvented around football gets taken away.

“It’s important for players to feel they have the leeway and the opportunity to do what they’d like to do – and they’ve shown that.”

Matty Platt and Jamie Walker both scored at Forest Green (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Alexander, though, has warned that City’s more potent approach is likely to come under more scrutiny as opponents wise up and react accordingly.

“It’s got to continue and I think it will become more and more difficult as time goes if we continue in this run of form.

“Teams will obviously see how we’re playing and how we’re creating chances to score. Then we’ll have to overcome those problems when they arise.

“But I believe that we’ve got the players to do that. That’s the biggest thing for me.

“I’m not working with nothing in my hands here. We’ve got good players who can score, so let them go.”

The first step was to break the vicious circle and unlocking that fear of failure that built up with the poor results in the earlier part of the season.

“It’s a mindset, nothing else,” added Alexander. “Everyone’s got the technique to have a shot and to score.

“It’s there in every pass you make, whether you ping it 30 yards or pass it five. It’s all technique of striking the ball and it’s the same with shooting.

“Confidence has a part to play and not to be seen to be making a mistake. But I don’t think it is a mistake if you miss the target because you’re trying to do the right thing.

“Failing is different to making a mistake, so what you want to do is keep practising. We do practise in training to perfect that particular skill.

“You put a group of eight-year-olds out on a football pitch and the first thing they think about is trying to score a goal. Why change when you’re 28?”