GRAHAM Alexander admits City deserve all the stick coming their way after a 5-1 thrashing by leaders Mansfield.

The Bantams conceded three goals in the first 18 minutes and were four down at half-time as Valley Parade fans vented their fury.

Alexander, who dropped Andy Cook and Brad Halliday to the bench, said his side were well off it once Mansfield got in front.

“We started the first 10 minutes toe to toe,” he said. “We had an opportunity, they have one and take it, take another one and then we don’t take one and the game ran away from is.

“They were extremely ruthless with us but we certainly played a part with helping them do that.

“We can look at the quality they have and they’ve proved it over a few seasons – and certainly this one. The stats tell you they are the highest-scoring team and have got the best defence.

“But we certainly weren’t at a level, after the first 10 minutes, to be able to compete and stop them scoring.

“I really didn’t recognise our defensive actions and structure. They have a team that can compete physically really hard all over the pitch and I think they overpowered us.”

Jamie Walker, making his first start since his injury, missed a huge chance straight after Mansfield’s second goal.

Cook came off the bench as part of a triple sub just after the hour and scored a consolation – his 17th goal of the season.

Alexander added: “It’s hard to speak about anything else but the criticism that comes our way. It’s justified because we were nowhere near our level, certainly in the first half.

“You can say we played a bit better second half and we’ve scored but the game’s 4-0 at that point.

“I asked the players just to show a bit of personality in the second half and we did that.

“But we might have felt we were playing a better opponent here and let it seep into our bones. That’s not what we want to become or be.

“The atmosphere wasn’t nice but I can understand it. It wasn’t a good day.”

Nigel Clough praised his side’s “outstanding” display and Alexander called Mansfield the benchmark for City to aim for if they are to get out of League Two.

Despite the defeat, the gap to the play-offs remains at seven points.

“Nigel’s been there three or four years and gradually built up a really strong team,” said the Bantams boss. “This season it’s come together.

“But that’s to be at the top of the table. We don’t have to get to that level to make it a potentially successful season.

“You don’t have to be that good to finish seventh. But, let’s be honest, we’re not going to finish anywhere near that if we compete like that again.

“We have to understand between now and the end of the season, what we can do by scrapping and fighting and have a much better output than that.

“But we’re not going to get to their level in the next two weeks. That’s something for the longer term.

“We have to make sure we approach the next few games with the opportunity of giving ourselves the best chance of being in any sort of picture come April.”