Bradford City are one of the lowest scorers from set-pieces

The Bantams are ranked one of the lowest in the division when it comes to converting from corners or free-kicks.

It is not a new problem and an area that Alexandra insists has got to improve.

The City boss said: “The data and the numbers, certainly from my time, haven’t been as positive as we would like for the amount of work we put into them and the players we have.

“I would expect more because I think we’ve got players who can put good delivery in and players who can head it, shoot, volley or whatever it is.

“I believe set-pieces come down to intent. It’s whether you need to head that ball or want to head it.

“There’s a difference. I would say that need usually beats want.

“It’s about how much desire we have in certain moments to really go in there.”

City opened the scoring at Tranmere last week when they recycled a half-cleared corner on the edge of the box for Andy Cook to fire home.

Alexander added: “I consider that to be a set-piece goal because of our structure around the box for second phase.

“It wasn’t just luck that people were in certain positions to pick up the second ball and attack.

“It wasn’t just luck that we regained it in the box and didn’t go backwards. We tried to attack again.

“There are little things that can go in favour for that.

“I believe we have looked a little bit more dangerous but we obviously have to score.

“It’s also a focus on doing our specific job because it’s not off the cuff where you think, ‘I’m going to try this on this set-piece.’

“All the movements and deliveries are connected. They have to understand the importance of what their movement means to somebody else, not just themselves.

“We have to defend them well, which I believe we do, but it’s something we have to improve on numbers-wise.”

Statistics after the first 10 league games showed that Chesterfield and Grimsby had netted six times from set-piece situations. City’s only “dead-ball” goal was Richie Smallwood’s penalty against Bromley.

Top Premier League clubs like Arsenal focus more on set-pieces (Image: PA)

Alexander hopes the way they maintained the pressure for the first goal at Tranmere will give them a boost with any set-plays against Gillingham today.

“The more times you do things well, you’re going to be more confident,” he said. “Maybe you believe it’s going to happen more often than not.

“We’ll constantly try to improve because it’s a big part of football. You can see that even at the top level with the best teams.

“They probably underplayed set-pieces back in the day when the Man Uniteds and Liverpools were winning leagues.

“The top teams now are usually the best at set-pieces as well. They’ve seen the importance of them and we do as well.”