Graham Alexander reaction after Bantams win at Forest Green

The Bantams made it consecutive league victories for their new boss last night as goals from Matty Platt, Andy Cook and Jamie Walker sunk the struggling hosts.

Alexander had warned about not underestimating their second-from-bottom opponents – and City took control by scoring twice in the first quarter to hit Forest Green’s fragile morale.

“We’ve been under the cosh and suffering a downturn in confidence just a couple of weeks ago,” said the City boss.

“It can turn round quickly if you get encouragement. But we didn’t give them any encouragement and that was the important thing.

“We created pressure on them straight away and momentum and got the two goals.

“It flattened out a little bit and they came into the game a bit more. There was a burst from them after half-time when they changed their shape and caused us a few more problems.

“But we defended well. Harry (Lewis) made a couple of good saves in that period and once we got the third goal we know that was the game done.

“We had to make sure we were disciplined and structured in those moments when we didn’t have control.”

City made it consecutive clean sheets although Ash Taylor was sent off just before the end for a professional foul.

Alexander praised the way his team defended from the front – with Cook and strike partner Tyler Smith putting in a shift.

“You see the energy that Cooky and Tyler have committed to the defensive side of the game to help us keep a clean sheet.

“That’s why we had to bring them off because they were running on empty.

“We bring on two sets of fresh legs to keep that defensive structure and pressure and have still got a goal threat.

“For us to be a consistently winning team we have to be good at both ends of the pitch. That’s what we’re showing at the moment.

“We’re still the unfinished article. There’s still more to improve on and take forward.

“But three goals away from home, a clean sheet, three points, it doesn’t get much better than that.

“Maybe Ash getting sent off at the end was a little bit of a sore point. But apart from that, I think the players have done superbly and followed on from where we left off on Saturday.”

Jamie Walker has a bit of after with Dom Bernard after his goal (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Taylor was red-carded for dragging back Olly Sully on the edge of the box and now faces a three-match ban. Sam Stubbs came on in stoppage time and Jon Tomkinson could also come into consideration now.

Alexander said: “Ash did have a good game as well as the others. You don’t want anyone to get sent off and lose their spot in the team, especially when we’re winning.

“But it opens the door for somebody else. We’ve got Sam Stubbs or Jon ready to come in or we could go to a back four.”

Alexander had gone with the same team – and subs – from the win over Accrington.

“We looked at the players over the weekend and who was ready for the game. We just saw energy and commitment in training and thought we could go with the same guys again.

“We needed the lads that came off the bench to give us that extra energy in those later moments.

“But the players are fully committed to the last three or four performances and got their rewards. But there’s still a lot of work to do.”