Bradford City boss Graham Alexander's key observation regarding clean sheet run
BRADFORD City manager Graham Alexander insists that everyone across his squad deserves credit for his side's fine run of four consecutive clean sheets at the start of 2026-27 - with the Bantams yet to concede a goal in all competitions this term.
City, who head to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, boast the only 100 per cent record in League One and also have an unblemished sequence, defensively, after shut-outs against Peterborough United and Sheffield Wednesday.
Alexander's side have also kept clean sheets in two EFL Cup ties versus Rochdale and Burnley.
While the City chief is delighted with the contribution of his backline and new first-choice goalkeeper Jon McCracken, he says that the plaudits need to be shared around.
He said: "Everyone deserves credit for that, the staff and the whole team, certainly from the front guys and the amount of work they have to do not to turn the ball over that much but to put enough pressure on the ball to actually make it easier for the midfield four and the back three behind them and Jon the goalkeeper.
"It shouldn't go unnoticed that, but obviously the defenders will get credit - and this is me talking as an ex-defender. But our whole team produces a clean sheet or a good, solid defensive performance.
"Without them working so hard, the defenders would not be able to do it on their own, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I know the value of players in front of you working hard for the team. Itt's something our squad has consistently done year in, year out for the last two or three years.
"It’s important we recognise that with the players as well. So, whenever we're looking at our defensive stuff, we're constantly referencing the work that the front guys are doing and the midfield four to enable us to be in the right positions defensively to make the final action.
"The tactics are obviously important but ultimately, it comes down to the players and their individual duels to have the quality to come out on top."
McCracken has become the first City goalkeeper to keep four successive clean sheets at the start of his Valley Parade career and he has immediately marked himself down as a reassuring presence in goal after succeeding the similarly calm figure of Sam Walker in the process.
On his steadying influence, Alexander continued: "Yes, but he's got a personality and character about himself. I like him a lot.
"He's really confident, which we like, but I think he’s also brought a composure for the players in front of him as Sam did.
"They know there's a good goalkeeper behind them.
"He’s probably had quite a quiet start for the first two games but certainly Wednesday night and last Thursday, he's had to work. Hopefully we'll have less work for him going forward."