'First punch of the nose' - Graham Alexander rues lack of Bradford City urgency after loss to Plymouth Argyle
Graham Alexander has reflected on Bradford City’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle
Bradford City manager Graham Alexander was left to rue a lack of urgency after his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
The visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession at Home Park but could not convert it into goals.
Plymouth, on the other hand, displayed a clinical edge as they struck through Julio Pleguezuelo and Harvey White.
Bradford City boss reflects on loss
Alexander said: “We don’t kid ourselves about how difficult the challenges are that face us this season, week in, week out. I thought we were well in the game and could have scored. It’s just the timing and the manner of the goals.
“The timing can happen but the manner of the goals was poor from our perspective. This is the first punch of the nose for us this season, conceding the two goals, and we just didn’t have the response we needed to get back in the game, to be honest.
“We have got to give Plymouth some credit but I know our players and what we are like when we are chasing the game and banging on the door and we just weren’t like that today.
“We didn’t create enough pressure, enough opportunities in the second half. I didn’t see enough urgency from us. It looked like sometimes we were drawing the game.
“We had four wins on the trot. It’s not about momentum. It’s about resetting and you have to have a reset every day. I know this squad and what their response will be on Monday morning, not just Tuesday night.”
Tom Cleverley’s praise for Plymouth Argyle
Pilgrims boss Tom Cleverley, meanwhile, was left to lavish praise upon his side.
He said: “It was about as complete as you can get. Football is about what you do in two directions. It’s not only what you do in attacking perspective but a defensive one as well.
“We all admit conceding eight goals in four games – albeit one of them was against Premier League opposition (Coventry City in the Carabao Cup) – was not good.
“We didn’t want it to become a bigger concern than it was, so we had an honest talk with the defenders and goalkeepers this week and their response was outstanding.
“To reduce a top side, an effective side like Bradford to four shots, none on target, I am so proud and pleased and something we have got to take forward with us.”