Notts County v Bradford City: Why Graham Alexander is happy to dredge up past for once

The Bradford City chief does make an exception when reference is made to today's opponents Notts County.

When the Bantams' team coach pulls into Meadow Lane this morning, he might just think back to the late autumn of 2023.

The history books show that Notts were City's opponents for Alexander's first away game in charge on November 18 that year. A Saturday lunch-time kick-off, like today.

It was an occasion when Alexander, just a fortnight into his job, wasn't just provided with food for thought, but a banquet.

The visitors plumbed the depths in an atrocious opening half which saw them trail 4-0, with the visiting contingent taking aim at owner Stefan Rupp at certain junctures.

On the pitch, reaching the traditional safety margin of 50 points as opposed to a points tally in the early-70s which is usually enough to secure a play-off place looked Alexander's first port of call.

City were then very much in League Two, of course. Now, they are most certainly not.

The embarrassing interval scoreline was only part of the story, that said.

The Bantams 'won' the second half 2-0, but what proved more significant was Alexander's interval switch to a three-man backline. He dropped onto something and has stuck with it ever since.

Alexander recalled: "We scrapped the back four and mid-block and we just went back three and pressed everything that moved.

"The second half was a complete contrast to the first. We scored two goals and should have actually got something from the game, from being 4-0 down at half-time.

"We were absolutely gutted that we didn't actually win the game, let alone even draw it.

"But these are the things that I talk about all the time. These really difficult moments where there's a chance to grow from and be energised and have clarity.

"Certainly, that first half, for me, gave me a lot of clarity about what was needed here.

"I'd agree that at half-time, that was probably as low as I thought it could get.

"We still had another few lows later on in that season, but certainly now where we are, the growth of the club, the improvement of everybody and everything within it has been a very steady and an upward curve.

"We got beaten 4-2 but there was a real belief in the changing room after the game, because of how we played in the second half. I think we won our next six games after that on the bounce.

"There are these moments that can change if you harness it the right way and actually learn from it."

Two big clubs then operating in the fourth tier and desperate to escape its shackles, times have changed, in a positive sense for both Notts and City.

While the Bantams' elevation came at the end of Alexander's first full season at the club, in astonishing fashion, in the Antoni Sarcevic-inspired 90+6 game against Fleetwood Town in May 2025, Notts' wait has been a wee bit longer.

They returned to the third tier at the end of last season after a 11-year absence.

Just like with Alexander, that arrived at the end of Martin Paterson's maiden first full campaign at the Magpies’ helm.

The City chief was pleased with what transpired for his ex-Burnley team-mate, who he signed during his spell in charge at Fleetwood in his early days in management.

Notts' promotion allows these two clubs to renew acquaintances. Alexander, for his part, is likely to be glad that David McGoldrick is no longer wearing black and white stripes, while he will also be anxious to square the ledger somewhat.

His two trips to this part of Nottingham with the Bantams have both ended in defeat, 4-2 and 3-0 respectively.

On heading to Notts, he continued: "I think it's a fixture that has got a profile about it, certainly in the lower leagues because of its history and the size of it.

"But they (Notts) have had difficult moments. They’ve been in the National League a few years ago, but eventually got out of there and back into the league where they should be. But you have to earn everything you get in football.

"I remember seeing Pato when he first got the job and he was really excited about the opportunity.

"I think he'd done a really good job before that at Burton in really difficult circumstances. So, I think he was hurt from that.

"I thought Notts County was a great opportunity for him to showcase what he can do. He's certainly done that."

Meanwhile, Alexander has confirmed he has no plans to enter the free agent market – but says things could change if the club are hit by injuries.