Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has delivered a direct message to forward Stephen Humphrys after the player was the subject of transfer interest from Wigan Athletic. The 28-year-old striker remains at Valley Parade following a summer window that saw speculation about his future.
Alexander confirmed he does not foresee any issues with Humphrys staying at the club. The manager said the player is fully committed to the work being done by the team. He added that he has never seen Humphrys shy away from hard work. With the transfer window now closed, Alexander plans to reiterate his expectations clearly.
Alexander's message to the forward is straightforward. "Just perform. That's it," the manager said. "He knows how we want to play. He knows how we behave. He knows the fitness levels expected from the team to succeed." Alexander believes Humphrys has real clarity about what is required of him within the squad.
The manager acknowledged that Humphrys lost his way somewhat during the previous campaign. Alexander expressed confidence that the player can rediscover his best form. He noted that the situation is not entirely new for Humphrys, who has experienced similar circumstances before at other clubs. The forward missed the first two weeks of Bradford City's pre-season preparations.
Stephen Humphrys brings experience from spells at several clubs throughout his career. His presence adds depth to Bradford City's attacking options as they handle the early stages of the League One season. The club currently sits 11th in the table with six points from four matches, having won two and lost two.
Bradford City's form shows two consecutive losses after starting the campaign with two wins. They suffered a surprise home defeat at Valley Parade recently, followed by a midweek loss to Cambridge United. The team has scored four goals and conceded four, resulting in a zero goal difference. They trail league leaders Huddersfield Town by four points in the early title race.
Corey O'Keeffe, a former Barnsley teammate of Humphrys, joined Bradford City on deadline day. Captain Antoni Sarcevic will continue to lead the side as they aim to improve their results. Fans can check the latest team information on the club's squad page.
The immediate focus shifts to this weekend's fixture. Bradford City host Mansfield Town at Valley Parade on Saturday, September 5th. Mansfield currently occupies 12th position in League One, setting up a closely contested match between two mid-table sides.
This home game presents an opportunity for Bradford City to halt their losing streak and climb the standings. A positive result would provide momentum before the next phase of the season. The team's upcoming schedule is available on the official fixtures page.
Graham Alexander will be looking for a response from his entire squad, including Stephen Humphrys. The manager's clear instructions leave no ambiguity about the standards required. Bradford City's next match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Valley Parade.
