PREDICTING, or guessing, the team for the next game is a challenge at the best of times.
Trying to accurately forecast City's starting 11 - certainly since the turn of the year - is another level.
But it's not just this reporter who has trouble second-guessing Graham Alexander's selection process. The players are often no clearer about who is being picked until the team sheet is unveiled.
The Bantams boss deliberately leaves it late before naming his choices for a particular match to ensure everyone remains switched on at the training ground.
Tyreik Wright admits it is a policy that has taken some getting used to.
"Literally, it's before the game when we know who's going to be playing," he said. "But it keeps everyone on their toes, doesn't it?
"When I first played under the gaffer and that was happening, I didn't like it at all. I used to be a player who liked to know the day before if I was playing or not.
"But it keeps you on your toes and even then, you're still mentally prepared for it.
"Obviously, you know what job you have to do in your position, no matter what position you're playing in. So, everyone knows their role.
"I think it's a good thing, to be honest. I wasn't a fan of it before, but I can say that it is working.
"Obviously, you chop and change in football and things take a while to get used to, but I feel like everyone's used to it now.
"He's the first manager that I've worked under that's left it late, but it's what he likes and it works for him."
Having started the previous four league games, Wright found himself on the bench against Barnsley and only came on for the closing stages as City frantically chased a late winner.
His form has been arguably its most consistent since his return to Valley Parade but no shirt is guaranteed as Alexander maximises the options available to him.
Wright appreciates it is a much deeper squad right now and is happy to face that added competition - even if it does mean missing out on occasions.
"I've probably had bad games before and thought that I was still going to play the next game no matter what. I didn't want that mentality.
"This season, I don't have a choice but to play well because I know someone's waiting for the opportunity and I'm going to do my best to keep my spot.
"The way the lads train, you just can't have an off day and you can tell that by the way we've started the season as well.
"I feel like I didn't really have a choice but to step up, otherwise I wouldn't be playing. Honestly, this season, I'm absolutely loving my football. I think you can tell by the smile on my face.
"That's what I came back to Bradford City to do, to play with a smile - I'm just waiting for that goal."
His first-half double at Accrington in March 2024 remains his only appearance on the scoresheet since re-joining the Bantams from Plymouth two months during that mid-season window.
Seventeen months on, the 24-year-old believes he is getting closer to removing that weight off his shoulders.
Wright thought he had done with a blistering volley at the end of last week's 5-1 Vertu Trophy win over Everton under-21s. But his celebrations were cut short by a stunning tip-over by goalkeeper George Pickford.
"I just thought to myself, is it ever going to go in?" he grinned. "But I know that it will. "The keeper pulled off a 'worldy' so I can't complain.
"I think I'm just putting too much pressure on myself at the moment and thinking too much about the goal. But first and foremost, I want to make sure that my performance is right and then I know that the goal will come."