Graham Alexander

But then Rupp needs his brain testing. At what point does he say to Ryan - you know what mate, I can't carry on paying off 1 and 2 years worth of contracts for these dud managers you're picking, it's time to pack your bags, mate.

 

That's what I thought at the time.

 

Julian Rhodes will have been involved

 

First 30 seconds, when I took over we were in the relegation zone so I employed mark and Connor who moved us away from that. We have since improved on that year on year.

Technically he is correct, but when the remit is surely promotion he has failed but as usual he applies more spin than Shane Warne.

As for the rest, it's a lot of nonsense either relisten or read the snippets on here.

He doesn't like changing managers

He had ideal squad number but added six for short term cover, yet left striker position alone

Says Alexander was number one choice yet Alexander's agent had to approach him

Numerous other gems tucked in there too

 

Or maybe he was on the phone to his football mentor Darrah.

 

Hi all. MK fan here. I'm not here to try and spoil your optimism or crush the hope that comes with a new manager. We've had our fair share of head coaches over the last few years and, if you're anything like me, you'll try and convince yourself each one is going to be the one that finally pays off. I'll just simply explain what our experience of Alexander was like.

When he was appointed, I think there was general optimism around the fanbase. The club was at the lowest point it had been in our short history, and most of us wanted an experienced head to come in, steady the ship and get us promoted back to League 1 at the first time of asking. All of the interviews, especially early on, were genuinely quite impressive. He's really good at talking the talk and speaks with real authority.

Throughout pre-season, there was a general focus on fitness. He wanted the players to be able to run further and work harder than any other team in the league. The season got off to a dream start when we hammered Wrexham 5-3 at their place. You could evidently see the work he'd put into fitness paying off, as our midfield was brilliant that day. The intense pressing was really clear to see. However, this game turned out to be the exception rather than the rule. In hindsight, we were a club who had just been relegated from League 1 against a side who were back in the EFL for the first time in a long time and the quality of our players probably pulled us through.

Throughout the rest of August, we continued to pick up results but the performances were unconvincing to say the least. There was a clear pattern that we would start fast, score early, and then sit back on our leads and allow the opposition to dominate the ball. Home games against Tranmere and Doncaster spring to mind. By the end of the month, we were sat top of the league and Alexander won Manager of the Month, but I was beginning to have some doubts - and I wasn't the only one.

That Doncaster game that I mention was his last league win for us. We went the best part of 2 months without a victory - and without even looking like getting one. The performances didn't get any better, and the early goals dried up. Suddenly we weren't managing to scrape points out of games that we were before. The day I knew it was over was at home against Harrogate. We lost 1-0 to the most comical of own goals and our fans completely turned on the manager. Singing songs slagging off the style of football and even shouting "Off! Off! Off!" when the ref went over to book GA. The club gave him another week but after a 0-0 draw at Walsall and blowing a 2-0 lead in injury time at home to Barrow, he lost his job. He lasted 13 games, and frankly, that was generous.

I'll finish with a warning about the style of play. It will not be enjoyable to watch, it will not be exciting, and even if you're winning games, it probably won't be convincing. Get used to putting 11 men behind the ball at home. Prepare yourself for aimless long balls into the channel that gift the ball straight back to the opposition. I'm not some football hipster that wants my team to have 90% possession every game. I'm not even against playing long ball, there just appeared to be absolutely no plan to it. We weren't hitting the big man and winning the second balls. It was just hoof it and hope.

He may well come and do a decent job for you, and to be honest I hope he does. He seems like a thoroughly decent bloke even if his football was some of the worst I've seen. I've always liked coming to Bradford and hope we'll both be back in League 1 someday soon. Good luck for the season, I think you'll need it.

 

Funny how you can twist words. Number one choice of the applicants

 

Where is your evidence? You get involved in a lot of conjecture to say you apparently don’t like it.

 

Style of play is something most of us expect after doing some digging into Alexander. Dont worry, we've had Derek Adams and Mark Hughes over the last few seasons, we haven't seen an exciting brand of football for a long time!! We're used to it.

I'm expecting Alexander to either be here for about 4 seasons and have a promotion or two or be sacked by May. Seems to be the type who gets quick success or it's a slow death with the writing on the wall. Not overly familiar with Scottish fanbases, but having an upsetting style of play won't create much noise at your Fleetwoods and Salford of the world whereas playing a dour brand probably won't wash here for a long time unless it gets results.

We have some deadwood at this club and most probably expect a mini clearout in Jan, very interested to see what type of player Alexander thinks can get us going. Best of luck!

 

It can't be any worse that the stuff Mark Hughes served up most of last season our home form was a bloody joke, our season ending when we equalised 2 - 2 on arrogate then Hughes pulls a master stroke off by subbing the only attacking option we had replacing him with a defender then openly saying he was hoping we could take the game to penalties, he did similar at home against Gillingham offering them back in the game with yet again poor substitutions.
What's the situation with Kemp loaning him out last season to Hartlepool and again a season lone loan at Swindon, is he a bad apple as it was originally Mark Jackson who loaned him to Hartlepool then Alexander did the same to Swindon.

 

He isn't twisting words, didn't need to . If you actually listened to the interview even you must be taken aback by some of the stuff he came out with.

 

Clearly not a good fit your club, it happens.

I'm clinging onto his decent record at the other 4 clubs he managed, where they were all in a better position when he left than when he joined

 

(5) GRAHAM ALEXANDER ON MOTHERWELL, SALFORD, CLASS OF 92 & GLEN'S SPFL MOTM AWARD | Open Goal Meets... - YouTube

 

I have, not ever heard him say I provide the funding for each identified player . I’m still looking for the interview where he said he doesn’t get involved in recruiting . I have seven to watch on y/t saved from the period over the last 3 years I think . That’s where I got the info. The podcast link posted last week wasn’t confirmation one way or the other. It’s all water under the bridge, however it’s clear we have a bloated squad according to what was promised. Both GA and RS admitted it?

 

“More spin than Shane Warne” - superb!

 

At least you didn’t start of with “MK Dons fan in peace” like some wet wipes who come on here.

 

Consultants…I posted a sample link a few weeks ago and apparently they have spoken to other CeO’s who recruited him during due diligence checks. Why is it a back slapping interview, he admitted he allowed the squad to get bloated at MH request, that’s the opposite of back slapping.

 

The Kemp situation is a weird one. Originally Liam Manning brought him in when we were flying at the top of League 1. The team was settled so he couldn't really break into it and was limited to cameos from the bench, in which he didn't impress that much.

Last season he struggled to find form for us in the first half of the season. Then again, we were dreadful, hence the relegation. Jackson came in and had certain players he wanted to bring in, in particular Leko and Kaikai who did reasonably well. I think the Kemp loan to Hartlepool was to allow us to bring those two in.

He did really well at Hartlepool and I think a lot of our fans would have liked to see him get a chance here this season. However, Alexander clearly didn't fancy him for one reason or another. He was straight out the door on loan to Swindon. Alexander just doesn't fancy some people (Darragh Burns is another who was completely frozen out). Its very clear he has his favourites. Another thing that I didn't particularly like about GA was that he would constantly say he wasn't interested in the players that were injured "I only focus on the ones I have available" was his stock answer. I'm not sure that creates a very good team environment.

Anyway, with regards to Kemp, there's a lot of clamour from our fans to see him be recalled. He seems like a player that would suit Williamson's style of play, and the new manager himself has said recently that he'd like to speak to Kemp at some point. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he's back with us by January.

 

I thought it was reference to cover for Cookie myself.