GRAHAM Alexander has cited Bradford City's ability to roll with the punches as the secret to their success over the past couple of seasons.

Amid their resounding sequences of form, there have been plenty of bumps in the road along the way, more especially away from Valley Parade, which is one of the most imposing citadels in the English Football League.

City head into Good Friday's home game with Northampton Town on the back of a three-match winless league run, including successive away losses at Burton Albion and Wigan Athletic.

All told, Alexander's side have lost nine of their last 11 matches on the road.

placeholder image — Bradford City boss Graham Alexander.

Another statistic that conveys Alexander's side in a better light is that they have won on seven occasions after a league defeat already this term.

The Bantams chief said: "The messages we give the boys - and the ones they transfer between themselves in their actions, behaviours and body language - is really important and massive (after defeats).

"I think they have done superbly well to do or we won't be in the position we are. We'd have had a good 10-game spell at the start of the season and then faded away.

"To still be in this position is great testament to the group of players and their approach to a challenge of a season over 10 months.

Influential Bradford City midfielder Antoni Sarcevic. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"But there's still a significant period for us to compete for.

"We're in a real good frame of mind and know what the challenge is in front of us. I know we have the players to do that."

City face a test of character over Easter, just as they did back in January following a triple whammy of losses to Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town.

The way they rallied spoke volumes about Alexander has in his dressing room. A group of strong professionals.

He added: "The Cardiff one was just a good game of football against a really strong opponent.

"Either could have won, but obviously the Lincoln and Huddersfield ones were performances that we're not proud of and we let everyone down - including ourselves.

"Then, we had to question ourselves and we didn't look like us.

"That's how a team grows. Every team who has had success has gone through moments of challenge and test. It's about seeing how you come through it."