Missing spell of pre-season has hit Bantams striker Kavanagh

Kavanagh, who turns 21 today, has looked out-of-sorts in the early games and is yet to get off the mark.

He had started every match before missing the EFL Trophy with a slight niggle – but was subbed at half-time at Grimsby.

Olly Sanderson came on for him and scored and followed that up with another goal against Newcastle under-21s to put himself in prime position to face Carlisle this weekend.

Alexander believes the time Kavanagh missed during the summer training schedule has impacted his performance.

He said: “We know what Calum’s capable of. He missed a little period of pre-season which I feel is still hanging over him.

“I don’t think he’s as sharp as what he was at the end of last season or certainly when he came to us.

Calum Kavanagh did get a goal against Sunderland in a friendly (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“In that whole period with the games and training with us every day, he was in really top shape.

“All players have to be in their best shape to produce their best form.

“If anyone is undercooked or they miss a period of pre-season, it can affect individuals. I do believe that’s affected Calum in a way.

“We value him highly like we do with all our players. If people are having a dip, it’s our responsibility to try and help them out of it.”

But the City boss insists that does not mean sugar-coating the facts with the January signing as they try to get him back to form.

“It’s about a little bit of honesty. It’s not always just an arm round a shoulder.

“I think he knows we value him as a player. We’ve shown the confidence in him by playing him so much straight away when he came in and obviously this season as well.

“But ultimately if we’ve got good players chomping at the bit to come into the team, then I can’t be too loyal.

“My loyalty first and foremost is to the team and the squad as a whole, not any certain individual.”

Kavanagh scored five goals after his move from Middlesbrough at the end of the mid-season transfer window.

But he is still waiting to hit the net after 328 minutes of football in the current campaign and has looked low in confidence.

“You come out of it by doing certain things like being consistent in training and your mindset and preparation,” added Alexander. “I think the older players learned that over time.

On-loan striker Olly Sanderson has netted in the last two games (Image: Tom Pearson)

“Our job is to try and give that information to the younger ones as soon as possible, so they can learn really quickly.

“It’s not a change of boots or wearing your wristband on the other side. It’s in your practice, how you train and how you prepare for the game mentally and physically.

“That’s the secret to playing well again and having an expectation of what you’re supposed to produce as well.

“If you set the bar too high, you’re never getting it. That can be frustrating and actually knock you backwards.

“It’s an age-old thing. If you’re having a tough time, do the simple things well and the game comes back to you.

“If you go chasing it, it stays further away.

“We’ve got good characters and experience in our squad to help any players that need that.

“But it’s not exclusive to younger players. Older players have bouts of doubt and loss of confidence every now and again.

“But as you get through your career, you learn how to come out of it quite quickly if you’ve got a bit about you.”

Kavanagh will no doubt be hearing similar advice closer to home from dad Graham, the Republic of Ireland international and former manager of Saturday’s Valley Parade visitors.

Alexander said: "I know his dad reasonably well but I think you have to experience it yourself. What son listens to his dad all the time anyway?

"They all think, 'Yeah, whatever dad, whatever' and it's only when it's reaffirmed elsewhere that they actually believe it.

"But I would say it's of great value to Calum that his dad will have gone through periods of this himself, as we all have as professional footballers so he's got two people trying to help him get better.”