Alexander explains late call to release Bantams youngster Wadsworth

GRAHAM Alexander revealed that City’s decision to release Noah Wadsworth came down to the wire.

After breaking into the first team, the teenager was surprised to see his name on the list of players leaving Valley Parade.

Wadsworth made brief appearances against Harrogate and Gillingham, and was named to the bench for three other games after Alexander recalled him from a loan spell at Farsley Celtic.

However, the City manager made the difficult decision to let him go when the club concluded its retained list this week, believing that the teenager had not improved enough since then.

“I asked the coaches to have a conversation with him a month ago about the things he needed to do,” Alexander added.

“I discussed the scenario with him a few weeks ago. We also held an in-house meeting with the academy coaches, during which I stated, “I really want to give him a contract.”

“I wanted him to show that he deserved a new contract and could make an impact on the first team.

“We’re aiming to build a first-team that can compete for success.

“Unfortunately, I had to make a very tough decision at the end. He had made progress, but we needed to be very forceful in our opinions.”

While Bobby Pointon had a great debut year in senior football, Wadsworth’s departure will be disappointing for fans who want to see other young players progress through the system.

Alexander continued: “We definitely want to nurture young players. That is still part of the club’s philosophy.

“But I also feel that when kids reach a certain age, they need to make an effect on the first team.

“I need to make a future decision on whether I believe that will happen or not.

“You don’t always get it right. Hopefully, I made a mistake with Noah.

“That was probably correct until the last minute, when I made that choice on him.

“I had to assess the group as a whole and determine what we needed to do to enhance it.

“That is why Noah’s situation was bad. But he has the opportunity to prove me wrong, as many other players have over the last 12 years.”

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