After a strong finish in Part Three and an encouraging half-term report, carrying momentum into the New Year was crucial—and City delivered. A commanding 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town at Valley Parade set the tone for this phase of the season. The big question was whether this was just another streak or the start of a genuine promotion push. The Bantams have answered that emphatically—now sitting 2nd in League Two, firmly in the automatic promotion race.
Part 4 Grade: A- (9.5/10)
This A- rating reflects City’s results more than their performances. Some games—particularly the Morecambe fixture—required grit and resilience rather than free-flowing football. But with so many wins in this phase, it would be unfair to grade lower than A- (9.5/10). Crucially, dominant displays against Walsall and MK Dons have shown that City have turned what was once an average season into one where automatic promotion is now a realistic target. The Play-Offs should be the minimum expectation—but right now, City should be aiming higher.
How Did Graham Alexander Get On?
Graham Alexander Rating
Manager Performance: 9.5/10
In the early stages of the season, Graham Alexander faced some criticism, but with Stefan Rupp investing a six-figure sum in January, we’re now seeing what a true Alexander side looks like. His signings have slotted into the starting XI, reflecting his clear tactical identity—high-pressing attackers, adventurous wing-backs, and disciplined defensive work.
City’s resilience has been a standout feature, particularly at Valley Parade, where they rise to the occasion. The Bantams now have a tough, organised core, with many chances created by winning the ball high up the pitch. This mentality—reminiscent of the Phil Parkinson era—has brought a level of game management and defensive solidity that has been key to the number of clean sheets.
It’s hard not to wonder where City might be had Antoni Sarcevic, Alex Pattison, and key defenders avoided injury.
Bradford City 3-1 Grimsby Town 3-1 (4th January 2025)
Thanks to The City Vent, this match was dedicated to Bradford City legend Stephen Darby, who continues his battle with MND. Fittingly, the Bantams delivered a performance reminiscent of Darby’s own hard-working displays.
There were no surprises in Graham Alexander’s line-up, and as half-time approached, the team talk was straightforward—keep going, and the goal will come. With City leading 4-0 on shots on target, the next was statistically due to go in, and it did—Lewis Richards once again stepping up as an unlikely goalscorer in Andy Cook’s absence.
City carried that momentum into the second half and deservedly doubled their lead early on. Antoni Sarcevic, one of two standout players alongside Alex Pattison, won a penalty that Richie Smallwood coolly converted. Grimsby pulled one back just three minutes later, but under Alexander, City’s resilience has grown, and they held firm before Pattison restored the two-goal cushion, sealing Grimsby’s fate.
It was exactly the result City needed against an overachieving Grimsby side and the perfect momentum-builder ahead of a tricky away trip to Carlisle United. The only frustration? A two-week wait before that match—just as City look ready to take on anyone.
Match Performance: 8/10
Manager Performance: 6.5/10
Carlisle United 0-1 Bradford City (18th January 2025)
Trips to Carlisle United have rarely been enjoyable for City, but this was a chance to prove things are different under Graham Alexander. Despite Carlisle playing some attractive football, their basement position was reflected in City’s control of the game.
Once again, Antoni Sarcevic was at the heart of the key moment. In the 54th minute, his pressing won possession, allowing him to feed Alex Pattison, who delivered a perfect ball into the six-yard box. Calum Kavanagh made no mistake, heading home the game’s only goal to secure a well-earned victory.
Performance Rating: 9/10
Manager Rating: 8/10
Bradford City 3-0 Walsall (25th January 2025)
Few City fans expected a win here—let alone one so emphatic. Walsall, runaway leaders of League Two, were unbeaten since October and had comfortably beaten City earlier in the season. A victory would be a real statement of intent in the race for automatic promotion.
Although Walsall started well, City quickly took control and made the visitors look surprisingly average. Antoni Sarcevic smashed home the opener in the 11th minute, setting the tone. Just before half-time, he turned provider, heading the ball to Alex Pattison, whose low-driven strike made it 2-0at the break.
Those expecting a Walsall comeback were in for a shock. Pattison, with one of his now-trademark driving runs, fired home again to make it 3-0. The visitors won a penalty after the hour mark, but Sam Walker capped off a perfect performance by saving it, ensuring another clean sheet and a result that firmly put City in the promotion mix.
Performance Rating: 10/10
Manager Rating: 10/10
Bradford City 1-0 Morecambe (28th January 2025)
There’s not much to say about this one—both teams were poor, and it was the kind of game most fans will wish they’d stayed home for. However, the key difference was City found a way to win.
It wasn’t vintage, but good game management ensured the three points were secured. Calum Kavanagh was on the scoresheet again, netting the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark. A forgettable match, but a crucial victory nonetheless.
Performance Rating: 6/10
Manager Rating: 8/10
AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Bradford City (1st February 2025)
Perhaps this defeat was inevitable. AFC Wimbledon are a strong side in good form, and Graham Alexander chose to rest Bobby Pointon and Brad Halliday for the Vertu Trophy. Whether their inclusion would have changed the result is debatable, but this was a rare loss for City—at least against one of League Two’s better teams and away from home.
As defeats go, this one was understandable—disappointing, but not disastrous, especially given the strong run leading up to it and the subsequent win that secured a Vertu Trophy semi-final against Rotherham United. That said, if City end up one point short of the top three in May, the decision to prioritise a cup competition over promotion might feel like a costly gamble.
Performance Rating: 7/10
Manager Rating: 6/10
Bradford City 1-0 Harrogate Town (8th February 2025)
With Harrogate Town developing a reputation as City’s bogey team, this was the perfect chance to prove that promotion contenders don’t have bogey teams. And the Bantams did just that.
It wasn’t a vintage performance, but Antoni Sarcevic’s 2nd-minute strike was enough to secure all three points at Valley Parade. More than anything, this was a display of resilience and game management, and for most fans, the biggest relief was simply getting this particular monkey off our backs.
Performance Rating: 7/10
Manager Rating: 7/10
Bradford City 1-0 Accrington (11th February 2025)
This should have been a routine three points, and while some may be disappointed City didn’t add to the scoreline against a struggling Accrington Stanley, it was another controlled performance, a back-to-back home win, and another clean sheet.
The decisive moment came from Alex Pattison, who struck a spectacular long-range effort—the chance created by Bobby Pointon’s quick thinking from a corner. Not the most clinical display, but another well-managed win.
Performance Rating: 7/10
Manager Rating: 7/10
Newport 0-0 Bradford City (15th February 2025)
I’ve mentioned before how Graham Alexander’s City side is starting to resemble the Phil Parkinson era, and this match showcased that more than any other. But instead of Gary Jones, Andrew Davies, and Stephen Darby putting their bodies on the line, it was Aiden Baldwin, Antoni Sarcevic, and Richie Smallwood leading the charge.
Few would have expected a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Newport County to go down as one of City’s best performances in years, but this wasn’t about the result—it was about the mental and physical resilience of a team battling adversity.
The early signs were promising when Antoni Sarcevic nearly continued his scoring run after a clever one-two with Michael Mellon, only for the goal to be wrongly ruled offside. But the real turning point came when the referee controversially sent off Jack Shepherd for a challenge on Baker-Richardson. From that moment, it was all about protecting the point, and City did it brilliantly—not just defending resolutely, but still carrying a threat on the counter.
Despite leaving with a draw, most fans will feel the referee cost City all three points. The red card changed everything, and without it, this could have been a very different outcome.
Performance Rating: 9/10
Manager Rating: 10/10
Bradford City 2-0 MK Dons (22nd February 2025)
After the disappointment of a Vertu Trophy exit at St Andrew’s, where City ran League One leaders Birmingham City close, it was back to league action with renewed confidence. MK Dons may have been mid-table, but with their squad, they should be top-three contenders in League Two.
The visitors started well, with Dan Crowley looking dangerous—just as he had against City for Notts County. But once again, it turned into the Antoni Sarcevic show. He put City ahead in the 10th minute, setting the tone for a dominant display. The Bantams controlled the game from there, creating plenty of chances, but the 17,566 fans at Valley Parade had to wait until the hour mark for the game to be put beyond doubt.
This time, Bobby Pointon—midweek goalscorer turned provider—split the MK Dons defence with a through ball. It looked like it might not reach Sarcevic, but he cut across the defender and keeper, took a touch, and slotted home for his second of the game.
2-0 it finished, with City registering yet another clean sheet to cap off a strong response to their cup disappointment.
Performance Rating: 9/10
Manager Rating: 8/10
Bromley 0-1 Bradford City (25th February 2025)
Given City’s away form, a trip to Bromley—who have impressed in their debut EFL season—looked like one where a draw would have been a respectable result. But Antoni Sarcevic once again played a starring role, seeing what looked like a perfectly legitimate goal (at least from the angles available) controversially ruled out.
For much of the game, it seemed like it would come down to keeping a clean sheet, but in the second half, substitute Jamie Walker played a perfectly weighted pass to Bobby Pointon, who slotted home the winner.
This was an important result, marking a potential turning point in City’s away form. Beating Carlisle United was one thing, but Bromley are a much stronger side. Rather than just turning away defeats into draws, City are now turning draws into wins—a crucial trait for any promotion-chasing team. If they can produce more away performances like this, the future looks bright.
Performance Rating: 8/10
Manager Rating: 9/10
Summing up a great run of form
One thing stands out above all—clean sheets. City’s defensive resilience has been a major factor in this run, turning home draws into wins and away defeats into valuable points. The shift in away form, in particular, is a huge step forward. Where tight matches once slipped away, City are now grinding out results that keep them in the hunt for automatic promotion. It’s like the old saying: look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves.
Player improvements have been just as vital. Brad Halliday has stepped up, while Tyreik Wright’s development into a more well-rounded player has been noticeable—his injury was unfortunate given his recent form. Then there’s Antoni Sarcevic, arguably City’s best signing in years. After struggling through an early injury, he has become the heartbeat of the team, showing exactly why fans were so excited about his arrival from Stockport County. If he stays fit, automatic promotion feels like the most likely outcome.
Alex Pattison has been like a new signing, bringing goal-scoring drive from midfield, something City have lacked for years. Callum Johnson, too, has looked an inspired signing since returning from injury—a player of League One quality who could have been playing there already had it not been for his setback. The timing of his return might just be perfect for the business end of the season. Meanwhile, Bobby Pointon continues to impress, providing creativity, goals, and a sense that he has a big future ahead.
I’ve often spoken about “automatic promotion indicators”—the signs that separate promotion teams from the rest. Momentum at the right time is one (and City have that), as is beating the top teams (see: the 3-0 win over Walsall). Then there’s how a side handles its so-called bogey teams—victories over Carlisle United and Harrogate Town suggest City have evolved into a team that now wins the games they’d have lost in previous years.
Other promotion indicators? Game management, seeing out 1-0 wins, and resilience in adversity—even the 0-0 at Newport County showed a side that, in past seasons, might have lost that game late on. Now, the worst-case scenario is often a draw rather than a defeat.
For these reasons—and more I’ve probably forgotten—I’m confident Bradford City will secure automatic promotion this season. But even if they did fall short of the top three, I have no doubt this team wouldn’t bottle the play-offs. In that case, a trip to Wembley would just be a bonus—but I don’t think City will need it. The signs are all there for a top-three finish.
I have high hopes for the final part of this series.