Bantams boss offers encouragement to winger Adam Wilson

The former TNS winger was named on the bench for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy win over Doncaster but did not come on.

Wilson has not featured since appearing as a late substitute against Barnsley in the same competition early in Alexander’s time in charge.

But the Bantams boss has been pleased with his recent response in training – and has offered some words of encouragement for the 23-year-old.

“He has to be better than the other guys,” said Alexander.

“If you’re only opportunity is training, that’s when you have to be better.

“I hear players sometimes say they haven’t had an opportunity. But you train every single day with the others.

“Adam hasn’t said that himself but I hear it all over the place. Players train every day and managers and coaches always go in afterwards and assess that session.

“We talk among ourselves about who did well and who needs to improve. There are always opportunities to show that you can be in our team.

“I feel Adam’s training has improved in the last couple of weeks.

“We have been lacking in a scoring threat and Adam has improved his goal contribution in training.

“I felt it was the right time to get him involved. That’s no guarantee for this weekend because there are players coming back into the squad.

“It’s down to Adam really, as it is with all players. I don’t write anybody off.”

Former England youth international Wilson joined City on a three-year deal in the summer window but has started only four times with 10 sub appearances.

Alexander switched the playing system and admitted the one-time Newcastle trainee became a victim of the large numbers in the squad. 

“If his training is good, he’s competitive and showing the right levels, he’ll have an opportunity to play for us.

“Maybe the last month has been a culmination of what I was saying previously that the squad was too big.

Sam Stubbs has forced his way back into the City side (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“What I didn’t want to was come into Bradford with 27 players and say, ‘right, over the next month I’m going to look at every single one of them’.

“That would have been too much change and rotation and people wouldn’t know where they stand.

“We had to start with a group that we felt would get results which they did. Eventually we would have the opportunity to see others more regularly.

“There’ll be players that you won’t have seen a lot of for the last month or so. But they are still competing to be in the team.

“Sam Stubbs, for instance, wasn’t in the matchday squad for five or six games. He had an opportunity at Derby, took it, and he’s been in the team every week.

“This is how it is and where an oversized squad causes problems. There are good players not in the starting 11 and sometimes not even in the 18.”