PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE: Alexander looks towards Luton

Um Graeme, good to see you again. Um no game midweek for you as a squad. Um I imagine that's been quite a welcome return to the training field in terms of actually getting some time to work with the players. Yeah, I think um the players deserved a couple of days off, you know, little breather from the sort of the the pressure of the games and everything and certainly physically what they've what they've produced has been magnificent. So, um Sunday, Monday off, back at it yesterday and today trained real good intensely. with everybody apart from Tyreek obviously. So, you know, 95% of the squad and um been really valuable certainly with the the newer players that didn't get preseason with us. You know, we could really sort of um concentrate on a few things not not just for those guys, but like things that we feel we need to improve anyway within our our structure. But certainly, you know, bit of analysis sitting down with those individuals to to get them up to speed as quick as possible. But you've seen it already, you know, against late and Orient that um, you know, they've picked it up quite well already >> without going into the tactical detail naturally. But what does that look like particularly with the new players? Like you say, a case of sitting down doing some analysis, but also being on the training field and going through routines and whatnot. >> Yeah, but obviously there's uh they're in different positions. So it's not just focused on so it's more um individualized um the the the analysis with the the relevant codes. So, you know, Tree with the the forward lads, myself with the midfield wing back, Skip with the the uh the back three and and Do with the the goalkeeper. We sort of separate up into that. Um obviously oversee it all, but um yeah, we've done a little bit of 111 today against each other and then against the 18s for the lads who haven't played as much. And it's great the sort of info we can get from that, the the little um the little parts of the the game which we feel they are different to others or what they've done before >> and uh and then we can just show them and pick it up. But it's it's just little we don't want to overload and try and cram six weeks preseason into two days of training, you know. So it's important we just little and often that's what we try to do. But um I think they're intelligent guys anyway. And obviously uh when I first spoke to the guys, you know, you're talking to them about how we play and stuff like that. Give them a bit of an idea. Then as soon as they come in, we show them clips anyway. It's just about But it's better when they've done it and then we can show them their clips rather than show them another player. So it's uh I I really like that part of it, you know, and I really I I I get excited when I see players pick things up really quickly and then, you know, just merge into the rest of the squad. So, it's um it's been a a pretty good uh first part of the week. >> I asked the boo this question, but has it also been a nice opportunity to maybe just take stock for a moment, catch your breath, and see how the season has started more generally? Yeah, I I did that um Tuesday with a bit of data for the players um in and then out of possession, you know, defensively and and offensively what we we feel we can improve on because, you know, I think we've got goal threats throughout the team, but I don't I don't believe we we've scored the amount of goals that we should have um or could. Um but it's important to try and um identify why we believe that and and then show the boys bits and pieces and then actually go out onto the pitch and work on it. So that's what we sort of tried to do um this week. It's not an instant fix. It's not like, you know, you just touch it and it it works from there. But I think it's something that's important for us. But, you know, feeding back the some of the info this season, what we've done already just in the league cuz that's sort of our our consistent barometer. Um it's incredibly strong and I think it's important for the players to understand that and understand where our strength lies. But certainly give them that bit of improvement to chase. I think it's important for that as well. >> Where do you feel you can improve in an attacking sense? >> I I just think we we get, you know, our data about, you know, getting into the final third box entries, crosses is really really high, you know, in the top three or four of the division. Um, but, you know, when you look at the output, it's it's not as high as all the other data. So, it's about um giving them the sort of uh the the the mindset and the the composure in those moments cuz we play at a really frantic um aggressive intense pace. But when it gets into those moments, you have to then sort of come down a little bit and have a bit of composure and it's trying to get that flick of the switch cuz we play really quickly and um in and out of possession. But then when you get into that final moment, there is a almost like a pause where you have to have. So we're just trying to identify that with players and then obviously allow them to work on it. So it's um it's been really encouraging. It's only been two days of that. But I think it's important that we can identify a where we can improve and improve and and b how we can improve and then give them the time to to do that. But uh without a shadow that when we see them in individualized um sort of um moments like unopposed um the quality is there is then having that composure when you're unopposed to when you are opposed and and taking it forward. >> Does the eye test tell you that before the data or does the data tell you that first? >> Oh no. It's it's it's the moments we've had in games and and I feel we're we're we're snatching at things and we're we're trying to shoot the first opportunity rather than the best opportunity. and uh maybe taking on opportunities when someone else is in a better position to take that chance and and actually having [clears throat] our head up to be actually realize what the best moment is and and um so I think that we we that that's on the eye when we when we analyze cuz there's a lot of evidence of when we get in the final third. So there's lots to to look at and watch. So that is it's less data, it's more what we see um and trying to help the players. That's that's what our job is. That's um without that we'd be pretty redundant. So, you know, I like that and I think the players respond to that. I think they I think they like when you can um direct that focus to a certain point which will help them be better players, a better team and um and do the things we want to do to continue winning. >> Bodies wise, how did you come through Knots County? Obviously, Adam picked up that knock in the first half. >> Yeah, he he didn't train yesterday, but he's trained today. So it was uh it was more of a knock and it went into a back spasm. So he he was struggling with it for a little bit during the game. Um thought he could continue but obviously um it got too much. So um but uh it's not as bad as what we first maybe thought. So he's trained fully today which is great. So we'll see how he responds to that. Um Bobby has had a a sort of underlying issue with his his foot again but it's it sort of comes up in different parts of his foot which is weird. So, he's um he's sort of been in and out of training today, but that's us managing him. And um but apart from like I said Tyreek everyone else has been um in training for >> and and how important is maybe a week like this week when we talk more generally about the squad and feeling valued and knowing your place and that there's a there's a role to play throughout the whole of the season to one have that tactical information put into maybe some of the new players but two broadly speaking just working as a as a unit rather than the midweek kind of intercepting the opportunity to do that. Yeah, it's um I think I think it's important that the the the ones who are playing you can you can sort of almost nearly get away without training because they're playing so often, you know what I mean? But it's the boys that don't play every week that um you know, and I've I've maybe overlooked that in the past, you know, years and years ago when you you think you're looking after them mentally by not pushing them and not you know, really focusing on them, but ultimately when they get their opportunity in the team, they're not ready. So, you're doing them a disservice. So we really focus on those guys a lot. Um and uh you know individual units group and uh because we are going to use them. It's not a it's not a case of we hope we only use this part of the squad. We want to use everybody. We want everyone to to be available for us. We want everyone to be of value to us and to each other. Um so we have to focus on those guys is even probably even more than the ones that are playing um regular and um but the the time to do that they do get a little bit um I said not not how can I word this not put to a side but you know when you're playing every 3 days the focus is the game it has to be >> um so it's it's difficult for them to to continue to to improve. It's only these weeks when you can really give them the time and and the focus that that they need and uh and I think they feel value from [clears throat] that. You're actually specifically talking about them as an individual. So um and they will have their opportunity. We've got two games in next, you know, this Saturday and uh midweek and we're going to use the squad as we did uh last week. So they're all going to have the opportunity to play again. >> Yeah, we're obviously talking about this week about what's happening on the training field. Um I'm sure you're aware of the speculation at the moment that's been bubbling on regarding your future Graeme at Bradford City and the vacancy at one of your former clubs Preston North End. Um your name has obviously been linked with that vacancy. Um what have you made to that speculation and that discussion that's been ongoing amongst supporters and the like? >> Well, it's been limited what I see because I don't you know it's only through secondhand. I don't you I'm not on social media. I don't I don't go around looking I've got enough on the plate dealing with you know 25 players and and the and the team but um but it's I don't think it's the first time that I've been linked with with Preston North End because of my my history there and you know I mean my my sort of my relationship is well documented over many many interviews for the last two decades really on on what happened with me at that particular club. Um but so I don't know how big it is outside of it because I don't I have no uh relevance to that. Um, but I think it's normal for I speak about players. Um, when you know, uh, transfer windows and you think about interest in your players, it's it's a good thing that it means you've got good players, you've got a good team, and when you're winning games and you're consistently winning games season in, season out, of course, it's going to be a spotlight and a profile on whoever's um impacting on those on those results, it staff members, its managers, its coaches, its players, sporting directors, everybody. You know, it does it highlights that and I think any speculation about any of us here is due to the fact that we've as a club done a lot of good things over a sustained period of time. But I never think about, you know, you know how I think I'm pretty consistent with how I do things. It's the the opportunity, the next opportunity, next game. I don't look too far in the future. I'm at peace with what football management is. I've been on the wrong side of it, but I'm at peace with that, you know. So, but I don't walk around thinking about I could get a sack. So, when we lost two games a couple of weeks ago, getting a sack is not on my mind. I know it could happen at any moment, but on the other side, it's not on my mind either. >> Yeah. >> I work and I work and I throw myself into my work. If I'm not if I'm not doing that, if I'm doing anything else, then I'm doing so many people a disservice and that's not in my nature to do them. Well, speaking of acknowledgement and performances and the like, we've seen some international callups this week uh for two members of your Bradford City squad, John McCracken and Ibu Tore. Um just how important is that for for them and I suppose the acknowledgement of the work that they've done to begin this season? >> I think it's um look's been involved with it um a few times. You know, he's got a few caps now and um I think he's delighted. I spoke to him the other day and he's delighted with, you know, getting back involved and and the games that are coming up. I know he's particularly excited about the Ghana game which is a massive game. So that's um he's brilliant. He's been so consistent hasn't he for us since to be fair I say for us I think that's what he is. He's he's so consistent performer since I first met him what 2018 so eight years ago you know and I just noticed it in our first week of preseason at Sulford how consistent he was with how he trained how he performed and he's been that like that ever since. So 100% he deserves that and and obviously John um is something that was inside his head when we spoke to him in the summer. he'd had a an inclusion in um a couple of squads and um but obviously it was a very settled squad which I I know happens at international level up to tournaments um but whenever there's a tournament finishing and certainly if there's a new manager there's a there's an opening of the sort of doors really to to fresh players new blood and um and John has started superbly well for us I think um and uh he's he's already known by the the Scottish FA and and people within it, but certainly his performances and obviously the the output and you know the certainly the clean sheets and everything has certainly would have gone in his favor. But they've been to watching him watch him. So it's not just off our results. They've been to watch him personally and um they couldn't help but be impressed by that. So I'm delighted for him because he's he's done exceptionally well. >> What does that do and you'll know this but what does that do going into an international environment being with maybe new players for the first time, new experience, tactical experience and the like? How can that help you develop as a player? >> Yeah, I think um you know obviously I experienced it myself and you and you open up to you know you're talking to players from different clubs and and when you're in a camp you know for 10 days or two weeks you know there's a lot of sort of downtime and social time so you're talking to a lot of people and um and you're always asking questions about managers and teammates and stuff results and levels because they're all at different leagues. So it can be quite eye opening I think to to um to to players especially um it's uh I think it's always a balance when they when you come back from that that then you're focused again on your club and and and before that as well. So that's something I was I was well aware of when I when I went away, you know, generally when I went away international football, I was playing championship football regular. So it was a slightly different game. You know, it was a it was a little bit more a slower pace, more controlled than championship. So I I realized after a bit of time I had to adapt my game >> from from the international scene to to the championship. Um but uh you know, John's got experience of that anyway. So and and I has as well. So it's uh I look I think that sort of recognition is is superb. I think I remember it getting myself. I was the proudest guy in the world when I got called up for Scotland and but the the knock on effect of your family, the coaches that have helped you get to that level, your teammates that helped you play well and it's it's just like a ripple effect I believe where everyone can take a bit of pride in that player getting that acknowledgement and um I think it's really important for us as a club as well to to see the progress of us, you know, um you know, having international players, you know, that being called up while they're with us, you know, and um I I think that's a another sort of um positive step for us as a club in our growth and our our development. >> Yeah, absolutely. Um obviously it means partly anyway that the Barnsley game has fallen by the wayside because of the international break. Reading I'm not sure where that's at at the moment. Um >> what does that period then give you in terms of not having a game at the weekend? What >> what will be the plan at all if there is one? >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm I'm trying to find out about the the Reading game as well cuz that obviously um we've got the the two AFL trophy games >> which are really important to us. So that it's great sort of timing that they are around this period. >> Um but um yeah, it's I think we said it last week, you go from so many games in such a short period and then you might have a couple of weeks or three weeks without a league game, you know, it's it's really strange. But >> can you do a mid-season trip to Austria? Is that on the [laughter] >> Not sure the players would would appreciate a mid-season one there to be honest. I think I'd have to rethink the schedule and everything. So, uh, no, I think look, that's something that I think we've um sort of discussed for later in the season. I don't think there's any need for like you know I know people talk about warm weather training stuff like that but we've got to be aware of our budget as well and we don't waste money but you know I think I think sometimes it can be valuable a little break at a certain point but further in the season I would say if there is another opportunity to do that but um >> I think sometimes just giving players the a little break from each other from the the environment with their family you know they can go and visit people that they don't see from year to year sometimes and stuff like that so I think that's as refreshing and rejuvenating for players as >> this week right now because we've got Saturday and Tuesday, I haven't looked that far ahead to be honest. I know Skip spoke to me this morning about it um about looking ahead, trying to give the players because we tried to give the players a heads up about >> what's the the schedule looking so they can make arrangements. Um but to be honest, I haven't actually got that far. I'm just focused on the training. So these two days are really valuable to us. I've just thrown myself into preparing the the training session and what we need to get out of it and um probably tomorrow being a recovery day. I'll probably look at the schedule there. But um yeah, I'm not sure. Well, we have had a couple last year, but it was because of other teams, >> we didn't actually um have players going away, so it'll be um a little bit of a new one for us in in Bradford. >> Yeah. And obviously with the immediate focus now of course being looting away on on Saturday, um what's your measure of them? I know the primary focus is yourself, but um two differing games last season from memory and the the victory at Valley Parade um the defeat at Kennallworth Road. So, how how are you weighing them up? >> It was two different managers who we played against and and two different stages of the season, I would say. And uh so it it >> I don't think they've well they haven't changed much from when we played them the second time. I think they still have their principles from the first game as well and but obviously each manager has a different interpretation on how they want to play and there'll be different players there. Um so it's um it's a tough place to go. Always has been, always will be. Um but we have to take confidence from what we've done. Um certainly in two away games uh you know against Knox County and and Sheff Wednesday in the league certainly late in Orange as well. So you know three wins away from home is really positive and um I think the players are in a good spot. I think they, like I said, with the two games that we've just played, everyone's played, all the outfield players anyway. Um, so they're all chomping at the bit and ready to go. But, um, it'll be as tough as any game we play. You know, I know I' probably bore you guys talking about how each game is is tough, but honestly, we have to work at such a high level to get things from games to win games and to win consistently. Um, that we have to work exceptionally hard to do that. So we that it's why I I sort of step back from talking about the opponent so much cuz we've got a level that we have to hit before we even think about competing against an opponent and uh but I think the red the the players are ready to to hit those levels again. >> Thank you. >> As a manager when you have players called up do you then concentrate or not necessarily concentrate but look at those games and see how your players are getting on in those matches? Um yeah, I think I think it's important to like show an interest in it, you know. It's it's not it's um it's not something that you would do that just to judge his perform performance. I think it's it's actually it's quite refreshing sometimes watching a player play that knowing that there's no pressure on you as the manager to get a result out of any one particular game. But you want your players to always feel good about themselves and do good things and um and and get sort of like I know like player of the month awards like Peno, you know, player of the year awards in in the past few years for for different players, you know, nationally and stuff like that. and uh international recognition is honestly the the feeling for the individual is amazing and um and as as their manager there's a sense of pride in that individual you know getting getting to that level and uh and you want them to continue that you know it's uh I think I'm so pleased for for both of those guys and we're sort of asking questions about some of the other lads in our squad who do they sort of um uh potentially represent because I think we've got a lot of good players in our squad >> and the the two that have been called up John Nibby, they're available for Saturday. Are they available for Tuesday as well or have they gone by? >> Um, no. No, I think they got different uh start points, but I think uh from sort of Monday they're both with their with their teams. So, um they're away and um so but like like I say, we've got a really really good fit squad um that are ready to to perform, but um yeah, they'll be they'll be meeting up with their countries and and cracking on with the the plans cuz I'm not sure that I think Scotland have got four games. I think I think Giby's got two games, I believe. I'm not sure. Um so, but there's a bit of traveling involved for both of them. So, you know, you have to sort of go early to to prepare. But um I know both those goals will be absolutely super focused on our game on Saturday. They won't they won't be looking too far ahead. I know that. >> Okay. >> So you mentioned it there ground obviously you've got the the two players going away. I mean is there potential for others you look at and think you know they could be knocking on the door? >> Yeah I think so but you know look I haven't looked into the background of all the individuals and obviously their their lineage of their family tree and stuff like that. So um but you know I I know from me own you know experience of of um getting that sort of recognition and I was 30 when I I first got my first cap and it was just it meant absolutely everything to me and um so it's it's I know there's there's always that club versus country thing but I've it's never even entered my head when because I've had I've had previous players that had international sort of um commitments and I've been so pleased for those players. it's it's never impacted the the club in in a negative fashion at all. So, um I I think uh it be interesting to go through everyone and and uh who we can push cuz I think it's important for us to to speak highly of these individuals as well. But I think um the biggest thing they got to realize is the better the team does, the better the individual does. You know, that's that's it. And I think we've got a squad of players that always commits to the team first and that then shines light on individuals. And we've sort of me raised a question before, but do you think it is time that League One was included with the international break in terms of if you look at the number of fixtures have been called off already? I mean, obviously you've lost one, >> you don't know about the other one, but I mean there's this there's a lot of result games hanging over. No one's really sure. >> Do you think they should just make the decision because it would then everyone knows where they stand for the season. >> I Yeah, I think I think um without me just jumping into it two-footed and just think about our scenario this week. It's uh I don't know how many games get called off regularly at this level when international breaks are are on. Um I don't know how many players it impacts individually numbers wise and everything. And and as we've seen if if a club at our level has a good cup run, it adds more fixtures into it. So, it's, you know, already we're looking at when we can squeeze the Barcie game in and that's a bit of a challenge right now. Um, cuz we've got other midweek games coming up and obviously we've got a a cup another cup round uh coming up in the in the League Cup. So, it's um I understand the difficulty of organizing fixture list and and even even us, you know, we can be organized anything, but we don't know exactly how many games we're going to play in a in a season. So the opportunity to play games when they when they're supposed to is is important I believe. Um but I don't know that real detail about how hard it is to then squeeze them in elsewhere cuz obviously we play in the winter games get cooled off and all that sort of thing. So I think there's an argument for it but I'd have to see the evidence of both sides to see whether it is worth a complete blanket sort of um postponement. >> I suppose you've got the trophy haven't you which is something that obviously doesn't affect the championship. No, in the sort of comparison. So, straight away there's three more games minimum. So, >> yeah, that that's it. So, there's, you know, it's we're in the FA Cup before those levels as well, you know, so there's that those games. So, it's a real tight fixture schedule. And I know from last season when we had games called coo called off and then you know trying to get them in the the jigsaw in in line with the opponent as well in the it can be quite complicated at times you know cuz there's certain criteria on playing so many away games on the bounce and they take into account the travel you've got that week and everything. So it's it's probably more complicating than if first looks and um and obviously we don't want a season that's 12 months long goes all the way around. we we all need a breather at one point. So, um yeah, I think that's a I think it's a discussion point to be honest, but um I I don't really know the the detail to to commit to one side of the to be honest. >> And in terms of obviously the Luton game, you know, you you've referenced those two one nil away wins, not scouty in Sheffy. I mean, >> you know, the away form last year was was it eth? Yeah, seventh eighth. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I mean, you go into these games and and the players must think when they put in a shift like they did, particularly those two games. >> Yeah. you know, it must give must make him feel good about the next away game and sort of think, yeah, we're going in someone else's backyard, but we can impose ourselves because this is what we did. This is what we did at Meadow Lane. >> Yeah, I think life and a career is full of reference points and full of um things you can take forward in a positive sense and all lessons you can learn from. But you know, we I do try to sort of listen, we try to carry our positive stuff forward and learn from negatives, but we don't rely on what's happened in the past to win us the games in the future because as we know the results might not might be the other way. So where's your where's your evidence or your or your juice to go and win the next game. So we like to I like to our group to be able to reset and then just go again, you know, rather than try and take things forward too too much and rely on momentum and things like that. But uh I think the the players are in a good place. I think perspective and context is important like like we spoke about last year, seventh or eighth in the away table. You know, I think we' have to talk that overall, never mind just in the away table. So, but there's there's a comparison with our home form which is phenomenal really for the last two years. Um but I think we we we've won enough games to be really competitive and obviously finished fourth in in League One, but we always want to try and do more. We always want to win more. We want to win more games. We want to feel good. Um so the the the um the desire to win a game of football is is tenfold that the the repercussions or the feelings you get after that obviously um and um that the the players should take you know if you look at the last two games they both been away from home and it's we've used the whole squad late in and county so it's it's not just the the chef Wednesday game it's the the past week for me has been really productive because of how many players we've used to win both those games and um yeah it's a it's Uh it's something that we believe we can take our mentality, our approach, our football away from Valley Parade and uh perform wherever we are and um because that's the the challenge. You play the equal amount of games away from home at home. So we can't just rely on our home form. We have to win games away if we want to be successful. And obviously not having the game this week, have you noticed sort of a bit bit of a fresher feel about the place because everyone's sort of had the chance to train together without sort of, as you say, being >> Yeah. >> you know, sort of compartmentalized into sort of who's playing tonight, who's not playing, this sort of thing. >> It does. It does. It's a It's a It's a natural separation of a squad when, you know, when you're playing games, you know, it happens. You know, the starters, then the subs, then the lads not involved. So, however you do it, the players feel that. They do feel that. But when you get a full week like this, everyone's together again. We mix up the 11v1 team. So you're playing with different players, different partnerships, different relationships. So I think it does sort of bring that bond and that brotherhood together again. Um and and I think it's great that we've got these games where they the players know they're going to play and they've got the opportunity. I think it's really important and the way we talk to all the whole group about being ready and we individualize players who need a bit more on physical level, on tactical, whatever it is. But we've got each individual's players, you know, best in interest at heart. And um I think it's important for players to feel that. But certainly that training together, you know, same time table, the same length of training session, all that sort of thing definitely brings uh the group together. And we need that cuz is a relatively new group. And um but the early signs, like I said last week, have been really positive, really strong and uh it gives us a lot of confidence going into the next game.