BRADFORD City chief Graham Alexander is hoping his side’s set-piece winner from Aden Baldwin in Easter Monday’s League One clash at Wycombe Wanderers is a sign of things to come – at a time in the season when games are often finely-poised.
Towards the end of seasons when fates are on the line, fine margins decide many matches and set-pieces can often come into their own.
So far this term, City have scored 15 goals from set-plays.
It’s a pretty decent record in League One circles, but some way off the top.
The side with the best numbers are champions-elect Lincoln City (27), followed by play-off candidates Plymouth Argyle (25).
Next are Luton Town and Northampton Town (both 19), followed by Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage, both 17.
City host sixth-placed Boro on Saturday.
Alexander said: “There were a few surprised faces with us scoring direct (on Monday). Usually it’s second phase or something after we’ve worked it short.
“There were bits of detail in there that we haven’t been taking forward into games. Maybe that was a bit more focus from the players.
“It was a great delivery but we’ve had others like that in loads of other games but the detail in attacking the ball has not been there.
“We saw it in that moment and it’s managed to turn a really tight game in our favour.
“The Burton game turned in their favour off a set-piece as well, so they are really important and we try our best.
“We do things differently a little bit but I think we’ve been successful in that. We’ve got to commit to that a little bit more often as well.
“As long as we have an end product. It’s all good taking it short or maybe quickly but there has to be an intent on the end of it.
“But I think we’ve done pretty well at that this season. It’s just the direct ones that we haven’t attacked as well.
“Hopefully Monday was the start of a few to come.”
Across the divisions, set-pieces have been thrown into sharp focus in 2025-26, accentuated by the outstanding record of Premier League champions in waiting Arsenal.
Alexander continued: “There is a big profile on set-pieces over the last year. But I can remember practising them when I was 17-18 at Scunthorpe and being a big part of the game then.
“I don’t think it’s changed anything. Coaches at the top level have taken a bit of the spotlight and maybe the top teams that are probably good enough to win games without them have become super-focused on them as well.
“They’ve added them to their armoury. Arsenal are the highest-profile team doing that.
“I don’t think Premier League-winning teams were really that concerned about set-pieces. Maybe they just used their quality to win.
“Arsenal have gone one step further and brought set-pieces into it in significant fashion. That’s put more spotlight on it but they’ve always been there in English football.
“People have to be ready for them and we know it’s a weapon that many teams use, certainly in this division. We’ve seen it many times.
“We have to prepare for every event in a game that can dictate the result.”
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