Bradford City manager addresses absence of influential duo.
GRAHAM Alexander maintains he will not select his City team based on past accomplishments, as fans speculate about the futures of Brad Halliday and Andy Cook.
The absence of Halliday from the squad for the Vertu Trophy encounter at Bolton, as well as Cook’s return to the bench, has left many wondering if their time at Valley Parade is coming to an end as the winter transfer window approaches.
Alexander insisted it was not a part in his selection process, but picking a team will not be influenced by prior seasons’ results.
“Nothing in my head is looking towards January,” Alexander stated this afternoon. “The goal is to win football games right now.
“As I already stated, I analyse everything about everyone, including those who played last night and others who did not.
“There’s all the facts, research, and watching games, but I also have to trust my instincts.
It comes off occasionally, but not always. “In other cases, players’ absences may not have affected the outcome since other factors were at play.
“We discussed the competitive level of this squad this season, and I don’t believe anyone can sit there and expect to play. Everyone who played last night deserves it.
“It’s not just about certain people or the history of players at this club.
“Every player on that pitch has done something in the last month or two weeks that has justified my decision to select them, and I am the manager. “I understand that there are differing viewpoints in football.
But I have rationale behind my judgements; I don’t make them on a whim.
Andy Cook has started only twice so far this season (Image: Thomas Gadd)
“This is my responsibility, and I accept it. If I get it incorrect, I raise my hands. “That goes for five or six individuals that didn’t play last night.”
Brad Halliday was named to League Two’s team of the year during City’s promotion campaign. However, he has seen limited playing time this season.
He began the last Trophy group defeat against Doncaster, but has not appeared in the last three games. Cook came off the bench at halftime yesterday, making his 11th appearance.
He’s only made two starts since returning from an ACL injury. Both are among a number of senior players whose contracts are up this summer.
Boss Alexander stated, “Every player’s future is always uncertain.” That is the nature of the game. “You may let your contract expire, request a transfer, or be purchased.
You have no idea what is around the corner. “I choose the team for the here and now. I choose from the most recent past; looking back 12 or 18 months would be insane. “I was regarded as both a player and by those levels.
At Burnley, I played every game for the team that was promoted to the Premier League, virtually every game in the Premier League, and was released the following year.
“I fought for survival there, but they abandoned me. This is how football can be. “I am not saying that about these people, but I am merely referring to the recent past.
We all have to constantly prove ourselves, including me. “I don’t think Brad and Andy want to be judged for what they did 12 months ago.
They cherish what they’re doing right now. “They haven’t knocked on my door and said, ‘I did this last season or the season before’. Fair play to them; I see them preparing and competing and striving to prove their value right now.
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