Graham Alexander’s side, Bradford City, are looking for a potential pursuit for promotion this season.
Furthermore, so far this campaign, Alexander has led them on to win 13 games so far this season and pick up a total of 46 points, which places them 3rd in the table.
Now, after focusing on recruitment in midfield and wing back with the Bantams signing Louie Sibley, Joe White and Harrison Ashby, staff like David Sharpe, Stephen Gent and Graham Alexander may potentially look at improving the defensive line, which may support in a potential promotion push.
Based on the strong start to the campaign and the transfer window so far, limited business needs to be done in the rest of the window, but it is clear to Bantams fans where one of the main issues lies- defence.
Over recent seasons, the Bantams have had a variety of defenders, with some being more successful than others.
The deadline day signing of backup defender Tom McIntyre on loan from Portsmouth looked potentially promising from the limited game time seven matches Bantams fans saw him in.
However, Alexander chose to return the defender back to his parent club, Portsmouth, due to his limited game time.
Graham Alexander stated: “He spoke to me this time last week, we discussed the situation, and he wanted to play football.
“He has enjoyed his time here, but he needed to play football, I said to him on Friday, he needs to go and play football and I could not guarantee anything to him. Another genuine guy who has played his part on and off the pitch for us this season.”
Now, the boss has insisted on keeping the same back three in the last two games, which consists of Ibou Touray, Curtis Tilt and Aden Baldwin, with only one centre back on the bench in the form of Joe Wright, as Matthew Pennington is still not match fit.
Ciaran Kelly 2025/26 So Far:
| Games Played | 15 |
| Tackles | 19 |
| Duels Won | 93 |
| Dules Won % | 69.4% |
| Aerial Dules Won | 64 |
| Aerial Duels Won % | 71.9% |
Neill Byrne 2025/26 So Far:
| Games Played | 8 |
| Tackles | 11 |
| Dules Won | 42 |
| Dules Won % | 64.6% |
| Aerial Dules Won | 24 |
| Aerial Dules Won % | 63.2% |
There have been limited defender links for Bradford so far this window, but there is still time left to recruit a defender.
Graham Alexander: “There are one or two spots where I think we need to improve as a squad.
“Certainly in the forward line, that’s where we’re looking to improve as well.
“I think we’ve got really good players. It’s not about replacing any players that have left in this window, because I think we already did that six months ago.
“It’s just about getting the right balance. But we also don’t want to carry so many in one certain position, where you get disenfranchised players, where they don’t feel a part of it, because then it’s a negative effect.
“We have to be really intelligent with our recruitment to make sure we get the right player for the right position with the right attitude and the right attributes.
“I think we’re working exceptionally hard to try and do that.”
“I think we might have one or two coming in.
“I don’t know the actual timescale of that, but obviously, we’ve only got two weeks.
“I think what we’ve got now, what we’ve done in the first two weeks, is really encouraging, and it’s definitely strengthened us.
“But we still need to work to the nth degree to make sure we’re the best squad we can be for the 20-odd games that’s still to play.
“I think there will be. I think we’re at about 21 or 22 senior players anyway.
“So, there will obviously have to be some sort of change in that if we’re going to bring a couple of players in or at least one.”
With the squad lacking quality depth in the backline positions, a signing of a centre back, either on loan or permanently, could be key in launching a promotion bid under Alexander, as it will allow for rotation.
Our first option is current Stockport County defender Callum Connolly, who has only played 15 matches in League One so far this season.
The 28-year-old has won 13 tackles, 57 duels and 36 aerial duels so far this season with a 64% successful duel rate and a 66.7% successful aerial duel rate.
This could be another interesting signing with the Bantams having a habit of signing County’s players in the past.
A star player so far this campaign for Accrington Stanley is Benn Ward, who has made 23 appearances and netted two goals in the league.
His defensive statistics show that he has won 35 tackles, 190 duels and 120 aerial duels with a 62.3% successful duel rate and a 68.2% successful aerial duel rate.
Bradford City, amongst other clubs, have been linked with Ward, with Pete O’Rourke reporting on the side’s interest, so it could be another interesting signing.
A potential solid option is Exeter City’s starting centre back, Jack Fitzwater, who has played 24 matches so far this season for the 13th placed side.
So far this season, the Englishman has netted one goal and a single assist, as well as winning 27 tackles, 121 duels and 74 aerial duels.
This move would require the Bantams to pay a fee, with Fitzwater’s contract running until the summer of 2027.
Who should Bradford City look at bringing in?
