GRAHAM Alexander won’t moan about the financial muscle City are up against in the window as they try to fill some “gaping holes” before Monday night’s deadline.
The Bantams are focusing their late recruitment efforts on attacking targets after the injuries to Will Swan and Antoni Sarcevic.
Manchester United’s Ethan Wheatley is not expected to be the only addition with at least another forward in their sights.
There are strong suggestions that Wrexham's Paul Mullin is Valley Parade-bound in a loan deal. The former League Two golden boot winner scored five goals in the first half of the season with Wigan.
Jake Beesley and former Bantams frontman Devante Cole have also been mentioned, although it is understood there is nothing in the Cole link.
Top-six rivals Stockport and Bolton have both been busy in the market this week. Stockport have strengthened their forward line with St Johnstone’s Adama Sidibeh and bringing back Tanta Olaofe from Charlton.
Bolton have covered their attacking injuries by snapping up Derby and Charlton wingers Corey Blackett-Taylor and Rob Apter.
Alexander accepts that City are battling it out at the top with clubs boasting much bigger budgets.
“Up to the January window, we were aware of people’s squads and financial clout,” he said.
“I think we went toe-to-toe with everybody and showed we could compete on an even keel when we do our thing to the best level.
“The pitch is a great leveller if you do things right. But sometimes off it, it’s not level and some people have more than others like we did in League Two.
“We have ambition. We have tried for people that have gone elsewhere.
“But that happened to us in League Two as well. It wasn’t like we could just hoover up the talent.
“There were still fierce competitors on a financial and club level. But certainly, in League One, they’ve gone bigger.
“The level from the top budget to the bottom is extreme. “It’s a normal scenario for every level of league football where there’s a disparity in budgets. But we work in a way where we try to overcome those gaps and we’re comfortable with that.
“We don’t moan about what we have or haven’t got. We’re grateful for what we have and want to make it work in the best way for us.”
The need for more in attack has been highlighted by the three-game losing run which has seen City muster just four efforts on target.
Swan’s injury after the Cardiff defeat, following Andy Cook’s recent exit, has left Alexander with Stephen Humphrys and Calum Kavanagh as the only available forwards.
Angry away fans chanted “sign a striker” during Tuesday’s 3-0 loss at second-placed Lincoln.
Alexander added: “We’ve got two gaping holes there in our squad.
“Not so much with Louie (Sibley) because he’s just joined us but Swanny and Sarce have played significant parts this season.
“You can’t pre-empt injuries. When you look at their injuries, they both came during the lull in games not during the period where we played four in 10 days. “We certainly have to win games here and now if we want to maintain what we’re doing.
“It happened to us last year when we lost Lewis Richards and Tyreik Wright (at wing-back) right at the end of the window. We got Rom (Romoney Crichlow) and Tayo (Adaramola) on the last day.
“That was pure luck. If it had happened the next game after the window, we’d have been two players down.
“We were always going to go into February with the full complement of squad we can have.
“It might be that we have to direct our attentions to a certain part of the pitch if we’re going to have risk over Sarce, Swanny and other players.
“We were always looking there anyway but we might have to go one more player if we can, to potentially do that. But if we can’t get somebody, then I’m happy with what we have.”
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