Football Season Guide

Managing expectation will be manager Graham Alexander’s biggest task this season following two successful seasons with Bradford City. The Bantams were widely regarded as the biggest underachievers in the EFL having spent several seasons treading water in League Two. The appointment of Alexander changed all that, winning promotion in 2025. Building on the momentum of that success they challenged for a second successive promotion, ultimately falling short as they were narrowly beaten over two legs by Bolton Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals. The standard has now been set however and a season in mid-table is likely to come as something of a disappointment to supporters starved of success for so long. The challenge has become bigger following the loss of his first-choice midfield, who performed with distinction. The potential of Jenson Metcalfe was always clear to see, and was clearly aided by the experience of Max Power. It is no surprise that Championship Millwall stumped up the cash after just a year at Valley Parade. The departure of Power, also after just the one year, is a bit of a surprise. He was enticed to return to former club Wigan Athletic despite it appearing as something of a step backwards. Alexander has acted quickly in bringing in their replacements. Adam Phillips is a very experienced attacking midfielder, although he did have a difficult season with Barnsley. Henry Cartwright is at the opposite end of the spectrum, just 21 and signed from Leicester City having been a part of the Falkirk side which performed so well in the Scottish Premiership last season. Curtis Tilt was a regular in the back three, so his move to Burton Albion is a little surprising. Sam Walker was a reliable performer between the sticks but it looks like he will lose his place with the highly-related Jon McCracken having signed for an undisclosed fee from Dundee. Most teams in League One are searching for a goalscorer and if the Bantams can find one, they could be challenging for the play-offs again.