'No pressure' - Graham Alexander looks to League One play-offs after Bradford City's win over Exeter City
Graham Alexander delivers his verdict on Bradford City’s win over Exeter City and the upcoming League One play-offs
Graham Alexander insisted there is no pressure on Bradford City after his side booked a place in the League One play-offs.
Bradford delivered a professional display on the final day of the regular League One season, condemning Exeter City to relegation on their own turf with a 2-1 win.
Goals from Kayden Jackson and Antoni Sarcevic put the game beyond the Grecians, who grabbed a consolation in added time via Josh Magennis.
Fourth-placed Bradford will now battle fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers across two legs for the opportunity to face Stockport County or Stevenage in the play-off final at Wembley.
Graham Alexander on Bradford City’s regular season finale
Alexander said: “I’m delighted with how we approached it. We managed the game really well, certainly in the first half.
“In the second half, they changed a few things, they tried to play through us, made a few substitutions and brought some good players on and we had to manage that period, but it was good that we could understand what the challenge was. I thought we defended really well.
“The second goal was a really good boost for us and a little bit of a push-in going into the end of the game.
“We’ve done so well and worked so hard this season and we didn’t want to let it slip on the last day. That’s a lot of hard work spent over the season, there’s a bit more to come now that the play-offs are secured.
“We were never in the talk to be at the top end of the table, so we can go into the play-offs against a team we have played twice already – and played recently. There is no pressure on us and we can approach it the way we’ve done all season and just go for it.”
Matt Taylor’s verdict
Exeter boss Matt Taylor, meanwhile, conceded his side fell “well short”.
He said: “It was not the result we wanted and not the performance either. We were short today – and well short.
“There was a gulf in levels in terms of experience, know-how and game contribution. They looked bigger, faster and stronger than us in so many areas and it puts more pressure on our output and our output with the ball.
“That first half was as poor as we have been. Maybe it was the pressure of the situation, but we never made two or three passes all half, we never got a set-piece in the right place or got up the pitch and put them on the back foot.
“Everything we wanted from that first half we didn’t do and the goal was a big blow in relation to that.
“Second half we were brighter and had a few moments, but then an honest mistake has cost us in terms of a second goal, which led to a very painful end.
“But, if I am honest, that first half felt as though the pressure was just a little bit too much.”