Bantams boss on dropping Fulham loan striker Olly Sanderson

The on-loan Fulham striker has not featured since being subbed at half-time in the Harrogate loss.

He was named on the bench at Morecambe but did not come on – and has not been included in the 18 for the two wins since.

It is a test for the 20-year-old, who had announced his arrival at Valley Parade by scoring three goals in four games.

Graham Alexander said: “I spoke to him after the Harrogate game.

“We spoke about what he brought to us when he first came in and what we saw when we wanted to bring him on board.

Olly Sanderson scored three goals in the space of four games (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“To be fair, he held his hand up straight away and said himself that he hadn’t been anywhere near that level in that game or probably the previous one as well.

“We did have a couple of games when we had three strikers as subs. But with our issues defensively we’ve had to strengthen that part on the bench and just go with the two strikers.

“It’s got to be an open competition for them all. They have to understand that if anyone drops their level, it’s not a guarantee to come out the team but they are putting themselves at risk if someone is breathing down their neck and showing the right attributes.

“Olly’s a really good young player, he’s got a great attitude and we really like him. We’re glad we got him on board.

“He’s working hard to get back into contention and I know he will. He’s got the ability.

“Young players have ups and downs and it’s about helping them through that period.”

Calum Kavanagh has regained the starting spot alongside Andy Cook in Sanderson’s absence. Tyler Smith has also seen his first league action of the season from the bench.

Sanderson signed a new deal with Fulham before his move to Valley Parade was sanctioned. But they have not been pushing City for regular progress reports.

“We haven’t spoken to Fulham since we brought him in,” added the Bantams chief. “We will do that in good time.

“It’s important that players can get their feet under the table and we give them some time to settle in. Then we can do a proper report rather than doing it after a couple of weeks when there’s nothing really to say.

“They do value him as a good young player for themselves.

“But I do believe with all these players that go out on loan, and we do the same with Harry Ibbitson, you don’t want any assurances that they would play.

“We think it’s important that young players understand that competition is the biggest thing in football.

“If you can’t overcome it, then how are you going to make it at our club?

Calum Kavanagh has regained his place partnering Andy Cook (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“I’m sure Fulham are looking at the situation and thinking that if Olly’s got a future with them then he’s got to make his mark here as well.

“That’s how I would see it as a manager. I’ve never asked for assurances with loan players.

“It’s the biggest learning curve for all young players to understand the competitive nature of professional football.

“If they grasp it early on, I think they go on to have really good careers.”

City are under no pressure from his parent club to pick Sanderson. There is no clause in the loan that he must play – something Alexander admits he would never agree with.

“I know there are clubs that put financial elements into contracts where it’s actually cheaper to play them and you pay more if they don’t.

“I’ve always avoided those type of deals. A player should get into the team on merit through his performance.

“I would never do that with a player of ours going out on loan.

“You have to look into the club they are going to and see if they’ve got a realistic hope of playing.

“But ultimately Olly’s come out of a Premier League club. He’s not a Premier League level player yet, we know that, he knows that.

Exeter loanee Cheick Diabate has been playing regularly for City (Image: PA)

“He has to prove himself and that’s the same with everyone. You prove yourself at one level and then you move on to the next.

“We’ve looked at loan players this summer and that sort of element has been in place. We’ve not followed it through because we didn’t want to bring someone in where we had to play them for financial reasons.

“It had to be on performance. That’s how we run the squad and I’m quite comfortable with that.”

Having a deal insisting a loan player must be involved regardless would also not sit well in the dressing room. Competition must be the same across the board.

“We want to be authentic,” added Alexander. “If we’re going out to get a loan player, we see him with a realistic expectation of competing for the team.

“I’ve been really honest when we’ve spoken to the loan players or to their clubs. We’re going to carry a squad where they’ll have their opportunities.

“Cheick (Diabate) was the last one in. I had a conversation with Gary Caldwell at Exeter and said that he’s coming in to compete and we need to know he can play in the team.

“That’s why I took my time with it.

“Look what happens, he gets his opportunity sooner than expected but he’s done really well. He’s playing regular football.”