Bantams boss Graham Alexander on transfer window disruption

The clock is ticking towards the deadline next Friday night – and for most managers, it cannot come soon enough.

City are hoping to bring in at least one more before the 11pm cut-off point on August 30 - possibly another central defender after Sam Stubbs left for Cheltenham yesterday.

Most of the interest will be centred on the Valley Parade exit door and what happens with two players in particular before the time is up.

The Jake Young saga continues to rumble on – with Alexander admitting this week that he feels the striker has been “distracted” by all the speculation.

It is understood that another offer for Young has been tabled in the last couple of days, although the reported interest from Wigan and Barnsley has not been followed up.

Equally, the future of Alex Gilliead remains up in the air.

He has not featured in a single squad so far, turning down a rival offer recently, and energetic midfielder Joe Adams, who arrived on a season-long loan from Wigan yesterday, looks to be a direct replacement for a player who has made more than 200 City appearances.

Alexander admits it is a challenging time at every club dealing with the outside distractions.

“We have to assess everyone’s focus and it is quite a disruptive time of the season for all managers, not just myself,” he said.

“Some players can park it and just crack on with their job. It can affect others and you can see it with their body language, the way they train and how they play.

“We have to be really aware of those players and where they are right now.

“Players do go through different spells throughout the course of a season. Even when they win the shirt, they have different moods now and then.

“Come match day, we have to pick the team we feel is the most focused on what’s expected and most positive.

“If we feel that changes for any reason at all at any part of the season, then I think we have to have a squad strong enough to not have those guys involved for one or two particular games while they refocus their minds on what’s needed.

“That’s not just at Bradford City. I’ve experienced it at other clubs at these times as well.”

The Bantams chief appreciates that it is only human nature to be swayed by transfer talk and rumours. But he feels those who can maintain their focus and ignore the noise will go on to have the best careers.

“It’s a distraction for players. Agents want to look after their clients and look for potential clubs and moves.

“The best pros can put it to the side and carry on with their daily life and their job, because that’s what it is.

“Players are humans and I get it. But the best ones can still train right, commit everything and be prepared to play on top of that.

“There are many distractions in football. It’s not just transfer windows, there is always potentially something.

“I can understand why some players can’t handle those situations as well as others.

“But my major focus is on the team, the matchday squad, the group and getting results for Bradford City and then the individual is after that.”

Winger Adam Wilson left City this week to re-join TNS on loan (Image: Max Lomas)

The window will be finished by the time City make their second trip this month to Grimsby a week today.

While the deals will be done and dusted, there is still a risk of a “hangover” with players whose anticipated moves did not materialise.

Alexander added: “It’s not like the window shuts and everyone cracks on with it. It’s a weird scenario.

“It can work for your benefit because everyone can just get their head down but there can also be a little bit of a hangover if it hasn’t gone a player’s potential way.

“We’ve just got to be aware of these scenarios and how the players are feeling.

“It’s not unusual, it’s not a new thing but I do think it’s getting more and more out in the open. It’s not as discreet as it was before.

“We do try to keep composed and understand the scenario rather than fight against it.

“We try and give the players advice at times about handling these situations. All the coaching staff were players ourselves and went through things like this.

“We give them the benefit of our experience and knowledge but also bring them into line sometimes if they need to behave better as well.

“We try to take each case as an individual and navigate that time as best as we can.”