Graham Alexander wants Bantams wing backs to get forward

Alexander is likely to stick with the 3-5-2 format against Accrington at Valley Parade tomorrow – with Lewis Richards and Brad Halliday under orders to get forward as much as they can.

Richards is relishing his opportunity under the new boss and scored his first goal in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy win over Barnsley.

“I prefer playing wing back,” he said. “This manager is very demanding of that, he wants you to join the attack and take players on.

“It gives you confidence within yourself that he backs you to do that.

“He wants you to go forward but you’ve got to do both. My running stats are getting there and I like getting up and down.

“Training is more intense and there’s a lot of running. But I enjoy it.

“His attention to detail and what he wants from you is very clear. He wants you to go out there and show what you can do.”

Alexander is determined to drill home a “forward-facing” mindset with Richards and Halliday linking up with the attack.

He said: “We’ve always had flying full backs at previous teams and ones that want to bomb forward.

“But you’d better be fit enough to run back as well because it’s not just one way.

“They both understand if you’re a defender, your defensive duties come first.

“But if you’re just going to sit there and defend and not add anything to the attacking part of the game, you’re probably not going to be for us.

“We’re not asking Brad or Lewis to do things they are not capable of. We’re just letting them off the leash a little bit.”

Richards got his chance after Liam Ridehalgh’s concussion and the switch to a wing-back system after the first-half battering at Notts County has suited his game.

Halliday has been arguably City’s best performer so far this season and has carried that form into the change of manager.

Alexander added: “Lewis is a really physical player, he’s quick and can take people on. He can also defend one v one.

“It’s getting him to focus on those things but certainly be more positive when he gets into those attacking scenarios.

“I feel he’s done really well in the two games. It was a baptism of fire last Saturday but I thought he recovered well from it in the second half and certainly on Tuesday.

“With Brad, I can’t talk too much about performances before but all I’ve seen in the three games is a lad that’s full of energy and fully-committed. Any action he does is never half-hearted.

Lewis Richards celebrates his goal with Richie Smallwood (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“He has got good quality and picks up some great positions in an attacking-sense that are nothing to do with me. That’s just off his instinct.

“We like it and we’re going to let him roll with that. I think he’s a really good weapon for the team.”

Richards can sense the mood lifting within the camp as they look to revive a struggling campaign – and hopes the big win in midweek can provide a much-needed spark.

“I feel like we needed it with the new manager coming in and helps to give us confidence. We’ve not been winning games but I think we’re getting more confident.

“You could tell straight away from my first game the demand from the fans. If you don’t perform, they’re not happy.

“But I enjoy that pressure. When they are behind you, the place lights up.

“I can feel the way we’re playing with the second half against Notts County and last game, that wins are coming. Valley Parade is the best place to start.”