Wycombe Wanderers v Bradford City: Why Graham Alexander wants Antoni Sarcevic to be frustrated with him
Graham Alexander presides over a pretty happy camp at Bradford City – but wants to see some frustration in Antoni Sarcevic.
At 34, the attacking midfielder is a crucial cog in the well-oiled machine Bradford have become.
He knits moves together with seemingly effortless precision and has contributed 10 goals to the League One promotion push.
It is his importance to the side that meant hearts were in mouths when he was forced off against Burton Albion before the international break. He bounced back to complete 90 minutes in the 1-0 Good Friday win over Northampton Town, but has required some managing.
Managing Antoni Sarcevic
"I want him to be frustrated with me at times,” said Alexander. “The thing with Sarc is he wants to play every minute of every game and every training session as well.
"I've had to sit down with him and ask him to go against his nature a little bit and actually look at the bigger picture and what's most important. Is it a Tuesday training session or is it the game on the Saturday?
"I get his frustration - I was exactly the same animal. You just want to be out there every day. His fitness levels are brilliant, you don't have that if you're not a proper trainer and not a top pro.
"To think anything different is really hard, so we have to make those decisions.
"I've made those decisions early in the week a bit with him and taken him off in training. He's not particularly happy with me, but hopefully he can manage to stay on the pitch on matchdays more often.
“He's a machine anyway, so it's just making sure that we get his load right so he can perform as often as possible.
"But I don't want him to change his mentality. He loves playing for Bradford. You can see that in him.”
Tyreik Wright update
Another player who has needing managing is flying wing-back Tyreik Wright, who did not make the squad for the visit of the Cobblers.
He picked up a niggle in training and Ibou Touray was deployed in his place. Wright has been instrumental as an outlet down the left for the Bantams but Alexander has no interest in taking risks at such a crucial stage of the campaign.
"He had a little niggle yesterday (Thursday),” explained Alexander. “It only came on during training. [It is] another one where I've made the decision.
"There's no risk. I don't want to risk players for longer-term injury. I know we're only six games from the end of the regular season, but we need a fully-fit squad.
“If we can just bring someone back for one game and he's available for the next one, I'd rather do that because I do value the squad. I think those little warning signs, we have to take seriously. Fingers crossed.
“We've brought Ibby in to left wing-back and that's how we signed him. We signed him as a left wing-back and we've worked with Ibby before.
“He's a fantastic player as well, so that gives me the confidence to hopefully make the right decision with players if they are under stress or duress, and actually bring in another good player to our team.
"That's how our squad has to work, so I had no qualms going into that game. Obviously, we want Tyreik to be available because he's a really good player and he's done great things for us.
"But it's not too much of a problem when we bring in Ibby Touray in to play in that position either.”
Late-season buzz
It is during this late period of the season that many clubs start to head over to the beach.
Vibrancy and spirit can be lost when there is little to play for but with a second consecutive promotion within reach at Bradford, there are no worries over the buzz in the dressing room.
"If it doesn't [give you a buzz], there's something wrong,” said Alexander. “You work so hard from day one of pre-season. You sacrifice so much social life to be in tip-top shape. It's for these moments.
"We've worked so hard to be at this stage of the season, in this position. Why wouldn't we look forward to it? Why wouldn't we relish it? But I get it.”
Bradford are not on the beach but neither are their Easter Monday opponents Wycombe.
The Chairboys, led by former Barnsley and Huddersfield Town boss Michael Duff, are just three points adrift of the play-offs in eighth.
Bradford’s record on the road is not particularly impressive but they will be determined to buck the trend and strengthen their position in the top six.
"The feelings of pressure are normal,” said Alexander. “It's just managing that and actually putting it in perspective. I think the players have done that this week.”