Graham Alexander advice for Calum Kavanagh on Bantams recall

Cook has begun the season with a bang and bagged his seventh goal with a stunning header against Newport.

But the other strikers have been in and out the side as Graham Alexander demands more consistency.

Kavanagh is again likely to be up front with Cook at Tranmere tomorrow after regaining his place from Olly Sanderson.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was recently recalled after a blunt warning from his manager to work harder.

Alexander said: “When we looked at him in January, it wasn’t goals we saw because he didn’t have a goal-scoring record to speak of.

“But he pressed like a dog, ran all over the place and was always busy. That’s why we signed him and he added goals to that.

Fulham striker Olly Sanderson was not in the squad on Monday (Image: Tom Pearson)

“It’s not lack of goals that have kept him out the team. I don’t think he’s been doing the other stuff as well.

“He knows this because I’ve spoken to him about it.

“He came on against Harrogate and did three presses in one big action. I told him that’s why he was playing the next game.

“That is what he is. If you drop off that, then you open up the door for somebody else.

“Hopefully he’s learned a good lesson as a young player.

“You have a little spell of success and then you’re either looking to go to the next level and forget what you’re good at or you become complacent.

“Either way, you’re not doing what got you in the team in the first place.

“I think he’s physically in better shape now and if he gives us that, then he’s got a great opportunity of playing the next game.”

On-loan Fulham forward Sanderson did not even make the squad on Monday as Tyler Smith came off the bench again.

Smith has come back into contention after impressing in training and again made an impression as a sub.

Alexander wants to see that competition among his front men – and stressed that main man Cook must also keep his standards high.

“It’s down to them,” he added. “I wouldn’t call it a second striker role because they are both as important as each other.

“What we have in those players is something different to Cooky.

Tyler Smith has come off the bench in City's last two games (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“We haven’t gone out to sign an exact replica of Cooky, we feel we have to have different attributes in our frontline.

“Kav finished last season really strongly. His goals to games ratio from when he signed in January was very good.

“Olly came in and hit the ground running and scored two or three goals. Then he’s had a couple of games when he’s been quiet.

“Then Tyler’s shown the right attributes in training to be involved again. Vadaine (Oliver) gives us another option from all four.

“I don’t want them to see it as who plays with Cooky. He needs to keep on his toes as well.

“If we want to be a serious team and one consistently winning, then our performances must be consistent.

“Cooky has stepped up to the plate superbly well and it carries on from pre-season. He came back in great shape and scored goals in pre-season, so he’s hit the ground running.

“But it’s through his own hard work and that’s an example for the other boys. What you put in will come back your way.”