Former Rhodesway pupil Clayton Donaldson is finding Dario Gradi to be a hard taskmaster.

The Bradford-born striker has scored 11 times, including two in last week’s 3-3 draw at Stockport, but stalwart Crewe boss Gradi is still not happy.

Gradi believes Donaldson, whose Alex contract is up in the summer, has the talent to make the jump to the Championship – which is why he gets so infuriated when he feels the frontman is selling himself short.

Gradi said: “He’s got what I can’t do. He’s got strength, speed and height.

“What I can’t do is teach him those things. But if he stopped trying to play like Ronaldo, that would be acceptable.

“Clayton could be a Championship player if he played to his strengths, not his weaknesses. I’m not going to find a better striker between now and the end of the season.

“But I keep telling him he could be so much better than he is.

“He is playing in what is the fourth division and he is a good striker in this league. But he has so much more to offer.”

Gradi goes way back with Peter Taylor, who he first met at Orient nearly 30 years ago when the City boss was still playing.

Gradi said: “We do get on well and I would regard him as a friend. His teams have always played football and it will be the same this weekend.

“Bradford should be one of the top teams in the division with the resources they have. We have to try and make sure they remain below us in the table.”

Crewe currently sit five places ahead of the Bantams in ninth spot but with only two more points.

Gradi said: “We can score goals, waste chances and can concede some avoidable goals. That sums it up.”