Bradford boss Graham Alexander hailed a “pretty perfect” start to his side’s League Two campaign after seeing them score twice in the opening five minutes en route to beating MK Dons 2-1.
Alex Pattison’s 25-yard thunderbolt and a Sam Sherring own goal saw the Bantams take early control at Stadium MK and although Alex Gilbey pulled a goal back in the 20th minute, the Dons could not find an equaliser despite creating a number of chances.
That allowed Alexander to taste opening-day success against his former employers, and he reflected that his Bradford side still had potential to grow as the season unfolds.
He said: “First five minutes were pretty perfect! It was a great start from us. We want to put teams under pressure and show our quality, which we did, not just in the first five minutes but after that.
“But I think at a stage in the first half, we took a step backwards. I thought MK would take advantage as they have got good players and can open you up and they challenged us, but the players stood up to it as best they could.
“Three points is really valuable, certainly at the start of this team coming together and evolving into potentially a successful team. It’s good to really energise that feeling with three points and a good victory.
“We’ve played better in pre-season and will play better as the season progresses, but the game’s about winning and the boys have worked their nuts off to get those points. Every credit to them.”
MK Dons head coach Mike Williamson felt his team were not quite at their best and while he could take some positives from their performance, he knows they have work to do.
He said: “I was disappointed in the first half an hour just with our in-possession stuff and our rest defence. I think the detail that we lacked was just the simple things. We tried to penetrate too early, too quickly and we needed to be patient.
“I think the domination and our xG and our chances had so many positive things there but I’m just disappointed because it was in our hands.
“It’s up to us to watch it back and make sure we use it as a massive lesson and move forward, because we don’t want it to be a familiar feeling where we dominate games and come away with zero points.
“I didn’t feel as though we got outdone on anything tactically. A 25-yard shot and deflection in the first 10 minutes is a difficult one to swallow.
“The lads’ endeavour and intensity was there but I just felt the detail was off and that’s something we need to look at and address.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
