Bradford City boss Graham Alexander cites two key ingredients in securing a League One play-off spot

The Bantams start out on their first play-off campaign at third-tier level since 2016-17 on Saturday evening when they visit Bolton Wanderers for their first leg of their Roses semi-final in Lancashire (8pm).

The second instalment takes place at Valley Parade next Thursday evening.

Home form, for the second successive year, has proved the bedrock of a promotion charge.

But Alexander says it would be remiss not to mention City's players' strong mindset from day one - and ability to harness the remarkable events of last spring into a blistering start to 2025-26 - and bouncebackability as major drivers to another excellent campaign.

City picked themselves up impressively following a sticky spell in mid-autumn and a triple whammy of defeats early in the new year to Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Lincoln City, allied to some tough away defeats in winter and early spring to last the course and stay in League One's top six all season.

Alexander said: "I've just been pleased with how everyone's mentality has been from pre-season going into the season with no trepidation, no lack of belief. We started great and everything was really smooth, like a honeymoon.

"Then the reality of league football kicked in. We're still here. We're still overcoming those challenges.

"We're still in the shake-up at the end of the season. That resilience as a football club is something I look on and I take pride from.

"It's easy to talk about, but it's difficult to behave in that way.

"I think our club has behaved in that way.

"The pride I get is being part of a team. Honestly, that's the biggest thing for me. I've loved it since I was eight years old.

"As soon as I was in my first football team at eight or nine years old, I just felt at home in a football team.

"I still get that enjoyment now working day in, day out. It doesn't have to be match days.It can be a normal day. Just seeing how people work, how they interact, how they behave, how they respond to difficult moments."

The unstinting backing of supporters and their fervent desire to enjoy the ride after the club's penance in League Two has been another factor in City's story, according to Alexander.

He added: "I think there's been a patience and the lack of expectation on us this season from our support base. They've really enjoyed the ride.

"We've obviously had some difficult moments in January and February.

"But all in all, I think they've really enjoyed it. I think that gives them pride."