Width Of A Post

By William Wade Since the appointment of Michael Duff as Alexander’s successor a week last Tuesday, a word we have heard frequently from the higher ups at Bradford City is metrics. David Sharpe and Ryan Sparks highlighted that Duff was the stand-out candidate due to the similar character traits he possesses with his former teammate Graham Alexander, but also the key metrics that he hits better than any other manager that can carry on our success.

By Thomas Whitford-Bartle For some background context, I originally wrote this article, about the upcoming League Cup tie with Peterborough, on 21 September. We’d just won 1-0 away at Luton and were gearing up for the match against Newcastle U21s.

The Width of a Post podcast: Duff and Tumble By Width of a Post on October 12, 2026 • Our latest Width of a Post podcast sees Alex Scott and Tim Penfold reflect on the early days of the Michael Duff era, a curious first game in charge against Leyton Orient, and how the team might start to evolve in the weeks ahead. Categories: Podcast Tags: BCAFC

Bradford City 0 Leyton Orient 0 Written by Jason McKeown (images by John Dewhirst) The problem with going for the continuity candidate is that it’s difficult for first impressions to feel fresh. And while there is widespread approval of Bradford City’s decision not to reinvent themselves, there was a curious stench of staleness to this stalemate. The Michael Duff era began not with a bang, but a shrug. It was all very, very meh.

Rotherham United 0 Bradford City 4 Swan 3, 62, Humphrys 11, Powell 86 (pen) By Jason McKeown It was difficult to know whether this thumping victory truly marks the start of the Michael Duff era. With the new Bradford City boss serving a touchline ban, he watched from the stands while caretaker Mark Trueman remained in charge on the sidelines. But however the handover from Graham Alexander to Duff is defined, it continues to look a remarkably smooth one.

By Jason McKeown Did you see the F1 Grand Prix at the weekend? Okay sorry, wrong audience. You’re here for Width of a Post, not Width of a Front Wing. This isn’t about Formula One. It’s about Bradford City. Bear with me. The Bahrain Grand Prix offered a fascinating lesson in what happens when a carefully prepared plan suddenly comes under pressure. And in a strange way, it might help explain why City are appointing Michael Duff. (First of all, I’m definitely not an F1 expert.

By Jason McKeown Bradford City are about to name Michael Duff as their new manager, with the 48-year-old expected to be in the Valley Parade hotseat before the weekend visit of Leyton Orient. Duff arrives less than a month after been sacked by Wycombe Wanderers following a poor start to the season. It means City have replaced a manager they lost upwards with one who recently departed another League One club downwards.

Reading 1 Godwin-Malife 66 Bradford City 1 Beesley 4 By Jason McKeown In a week when uncertainty has surrounded Bradford City, certainty emerged from a welcome source: the character of the players. All the noise and questions surrounding Graham Alexander’s departure and what comes next could easily have seeped into an anxious Bantams display. Add in the absence of several key players, and the ingredients were there for a difficult afternoon.

By Stephen Hodgson The news that Bradford City were approached by Preston North End and that Graham Alexander had been given permission to speak with them regarding a possible move has brought the future success of the club into question. After two and a half years of sustained progress, fans are again asking: who is the right person for the job? The proper question they should be asking is: Does the club have a contingency plan to ensure managerial continuity?

In the latest Width of a Post podcast, Tim Penfold, Alex Scott and Jason McKeown discuss the emotions surrounding Graham Alexander’s departure, reflect on his achievements in West Yorkshire and debate what comes next for a club facing one of its most important managerial appointments in years. We assess the leading contenders to replace Alexander, exploring what they could bring to Bradford City, the strengths in their candidacies and the potential concerns that come with each option.