'It's happened again' - Graham Alexander rues Bradford City's lack of cutting edge after defeat to Stevenage
Graham Alexander conceded Bradford City have not been clinical enough this season after his side were beaten 1-0 by Stevenage.
The Bantams have been strong on home turf in League One this season but stumbled against their fellow promotion hopefuls.
They enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and registered a total of 13 shots but none got the better of Filip Marschall between the Stevenage sticks.
Dan Kemp struck the winner for Stevenage after a Charlie Goode throw eventually made its way to him.
Graham Alexander rues shortcomings
Alexander said: “All teams have challenges and you have to understand what they are. We’ve all got our ways and you have to overcome it.
“I think they had one goal on target and score from it. We haven’t been clinical enough this season, you can throw that at us and it’s happened again.
“It’s a game that I don’t think we should lose, 100 per cent. Even a draw would have been unfair. We don’t create loads of clear-cut chances until the end when the ‘keeper makes a couple of really good saves, but I thought we had some moments we should have done better with.
“We have to be stronger mentally to stick to what we spoke about on the long throw. Stevenage have been doing it all season.
“It probably went to the script for an away performance, drag everything out, take your time and get a goal off a set-piece.
“You know the officials won’t do anything about it (time wasting). From our perspective, I thought we could do better on the goal. I think we just have to get that goal that opens them up a little bit.”
The Stevenage view
Stevenage boss Alex Revell, meanwhile, was left purring over the unity his players showed.
He said: “We did what we had to do. It’s a perfectly-executed plan when you win.
“Everything we know about this team you saw today – desire, togetherness. We spoke about it before the game, about what it takes to come here and win.
“We needed everybody to be on their game and from the strikers to the keeper, we were exceptional in defence.
“For everybody that came – the travel and all of the players – it’s a huge win for us. The first half we were getting the measure of each other. We were strong and solid. That’s not always the aim because we want to score goals, but you want to make sure you’re in the game.
“I thought we frustrated them. They’re a really good side. It was a fantastic finish from Dan Kemp to win the game. You need your ;keeper to produce that type of performance like he did.
“In my opinion everybody worked hard for each other and that’s what we’re based on. I talk about how proud I am of this group and you saw everything we stand for and I’m really pleased with that.”