Bantams boss Graham Alexander keen to get to Wembley

The Bantams boss guided Salford all the way in 2020 but the final was postponed for a year because of Covid – by which time he was no longer at the club.

The Ammies did win the delayed game against Portsmouth on penalties in April 2021 behind closed doors.

But they were holders for just 24 hours before Sunderland took the trophy for winning that season’s competition.

Alexander said: “It was a really strange situation. For me, by the time it came around, it was gone from my head.

READ MORE: Semi-final team news as Alexander delays naming side

“I was more disappointed we didn’t get to play it that season because all the other defining games of the Covid season were played - the play-off finals, this, that and the other. It was the only game that wasn’t.

“I felt more for the players who had worked so hard to get to a major final at Wembley and the ones who left that summer and didn’t get an opportunity to play in it.

“It’s very rare that you get opportunities like that in football careers. A lot of players who missed out weren’t there the next year as well.

“But I have put it in perspective. There were a lot more serious issues than me missing a cup final in general life.

“It was a lot less than people went through at that particular time of life. It is what it is.”

Alexander’s Salford had beaten Newport on penalties to reach the final. He admitted they “tapered” the celebrations that night because just getting there was not the end goal.

It will be the same for the City boss this evening if his current side can book their place in the April 7 showpiece at Wembley.

Alexander added: “I believe it’s not just getting to the final, but winning the final.

“But we have a game to focus on and put any potential thing it leads to to the back of our minds.

“We have to focus on how to stop Wycombe and create opportunities to score.

“But for us to be involved in these games is good in itself. The worst thing in football is watching other teams do it.

“You have loads of seasons like that and other clubs having success and getting to finals and stuff and there’s a tinge of jealousy.

“We want a touch of that. We have the opportunity, as do Wycombe, to make us feel good about ourselves.”

Graham Alexander was all smiles after City's win at Derby (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City have won all six Trophy ties so far to reach the semi-finals for the first time in club history.

“I wouldn’t see winning games as being a slog,” said the Bantams boss.

“It’s not given to you on a plate, you have to earn it and Wycombe will say the same as well.

“It’s when you get down to this stage and the four semi-finalists all deserve to be there.

“I certainly feel my team has done that but it doesn’t give you any extra credit or strength. You have to win that game again.

“I would like to think the players have built up a feel-good head of steam in this competition.

“I think it’s an amazing competition. Wembley is a sacred place, not just in English but world football.

“We, as professionals, have the opportunity to compete for that every season. Why wouldn’t you go into that fully focused and committed to try to get there?

“That’s how we have approached the competition with every team we have been in charge of.

“Hopefully, we can go that extra step, but I don’t want us to even think it’s the final step of just getting there. We have to reset if we are fortunate to win the game.”