Bradford City striker Vadaine Oliver on 'tough' ref calls

The big striker started and scored in City’s FA Cup win over Aldershot at the weekend.

Oliver’s second goal of the campaign sparked the second-half comeback to see off the National League side at Valley Parade.

His physical style of play has come under the spotlight – with Graham Alexander unhappy that Oliver and Andy Cook are not getting enough protection from grappling defenders.

The Bantams boss was recently fined £1,600 for his outburst against referee Lewis Smith after the Walsall game in September.

Oliver admits it has been hard to take at times.

“I don’t know what the reason is behind it,” he said. “The gaffer has obviously mentioned it a few times.

“We’ve looked over countless clips and every time something seems to happen, we just get an apology from the refereeing board. But realistically it’s not good enough.

“It affects us on the weekend. It can affect points on the board or opportunities to score.

“But what can I do? It’s not like we’ve got VAR where things can get looked at and potentially changed.

“You just get on with it but it’s tough. Mentally it has been hard.

“The gaffer doesn’t want me to change because it’s part of my game being strong and holding the ball up and battling with defenders.

“I try to give an outlet for other players like Olly (Sanderson), Kav (Calum Kavanagh) or Tyler (Smith) trying to drop in those little pockets of space to play off someone like myself.

“It’s just for me, the officials have got to do better and see those decisions. There have been too many games and positions where you are just getting ragged.

“It’s not someone trying to battle fairly with you. They are just trying to stop you at any point.

“They aren’t looking at the ball. At the end of the day, we’re playing football, not flippin' wrestling.”

It was Oliver’s third start – one of six changes made by Alexander on the way to a first FA Cup win for City since 2020.

Oliver added: “We didn’t want to be a cup upset and set off making sure that wouldn’t happen.

“It wasn’t the greatest start going a goal down but we showed we were the dominant team throughout the game.

“When you’ve got a team that have not playing consistently, you snatch at things.

“I should have done better with the first-half opportunity that I tried to poke underneath him and not really caught it.

“If I’ve had a run of games I probably just get a touch and find a corner.

“It was the same with Olly when he went through and tried to lift it but it goes just wide.

“There were a couple of instances when day-to-day you probably put those chances away.

“It’s getting that momentum again and getting rid of that rust from not being playing on a regular basis.

“Thankfully we came out second half and did what was needed.

Vadaine Oliver protests to the assistant referee at Walsall (Image: Tom Pearson)

“It was good play by Kav finding me for a little tap-in. That’s a striker’s dream when it’s an open net and you’ve just got to roll it in!

“It’s about the team being successful this year and I feel we can do that with the squad we’ve got.”

Oliver’s future at Valley Parade looked up in the summer but he remained with the club and still feels he can play his part.

Alexander has praised the experienced striker as one of the “leaders” within the squad.

“I’ve had great conversations with the gaffer,” said Oliver. “This year was about being fit.

“It was massive for me having a full pre-season for the first time since I joined the club. I got that under my belt and felt really good.

“Now it’s just a case of biding my time and taking my opportunity, whether it’s coming on for five or 10 minutes trying to impact the game or starting and trying to make a difference by getting on the scoresheet.

“It’s also about doing what I can for the team off the field, being vocal and being a leader, trying to drive the team day in, day out and making sure we keep our standards high.

“I’m more than happy to have that kind of burden on my shoulders. I’ve been in the game a long time, I’m experienced and I know I can do it.

“There are a few of us leaders in there. I feel the changing room looks after itself because there are enough characters.

“My experience helps in knowing that week-by-week things can change. I’ve got to stay level and do what’s needed for the team.”