Bantams boss ponders Trophy formation change after injuries

The weekend injuries to Neill Byrne and Ciaran Kelly have left Graham Alexander with just two fit senior centre halves.

That means abandoning the defensive set-up he has had in place since his second game in charge 10 months ago.

Loan duo Jack Shepherd and Cheick Diabate are set to be paired in the middle of a conventional back four for City’s second group game in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

That was the case at Walsall after the double injury forced a formation switch at half-time.

Alexander said: “We did it in my first two games and then changed to a three and haven’t gone back to it.

“I thought the players did it well in general, considering we only had about two minutes to talk about it before going back out.

“We just have to take it forward if that’s the way we’re going to go.

“We have to look in the squad and see if we have players that can come into that back three.

“We know Lewis Richards played some pre-season as a left-sided centre half. We could go with that again.

“We just have to see if that’s the best shape for us with the personnel we have available.”

Alexander ditched the back four when they trailed 4-0 at half-time against Notts County in his first away game. He switched to a back three for the second half and his side hit back to score twice.

He made eight changes for their last Trophy outing against Newcastle under-21s a fortnight ago, when City lost out on a bonus point on penalties after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

The Bantams boss plans to shuffle the pack again with the likes of Joe Adams, who has not been named in a league squad yet, and Jay Benn set for another chance.

“We’re going to have to make changes anyway,” he added.

“It always is an opportunity for these players and they’ve shown the right attitude and commitment to it. I’ll expecting nothing different.

“We have to get them ready for that game. It’s straight back on the horse and hopefully back to winning ways.

“There’s a frustration from Walsall with little bits we could have done better – and a frustration at things we can’t control.

Midfielder Joe Adams caught the eye against Newcastle under-21s (Image: Tom Pearson)

“Obviously, physically the players put a lot into the game and we’ve had a couple of knocks.

“We’ve still got a big enough squad to put a good team out. It would just be difficult if we lose any more players.”

Alexander was angry with referee Lewis Smith and how he felt City were punished for challenges that Walsall were allowed to get away with.

The manager was among seven bookings for his team as tempers boiled over. He admits it is hard to brush off.

“It’s a real dilemma. That’s why I took myself into the stands for a little while last year because of some of the things you have to listen to.

“But it is what it is and we have to overcome it. I’ve said to the players that we have to find a way round it and what we can do better.

“I don’t want us to forget where our improvements lie just because we feel harshly done by from the officials.

“We have to make sure that we’re better in every department. Certainly, there was nothing wrong with the energy and commitment levels – I thought they were superb.”