Young Bantams striker 'must show he is good enough for first team'

HARRY Ibbitson has been told that it’s time to deliver. The 20-year-old, an explosive goalscorer in his youth-team days, was given a one-year contract extension by City along with young keeper Zac Hadi. And Graham Alexander feels this needs to be a break-out season for the rookie striker. “He needs to start making an impression on the first team at some point,” said the Bantams boss. “It doesn’t have to be in the first month or two. But at some point this season, he needs to start getting his career up and running as a young professional. “He’s come back in great shape, which we know he’s capable of, and looked really sharp. We just need him to really compete and get that bit between his teeth to knock somebody out of the first team.” Bobby Pointon is the shining example of a player who has come through the system and really made his mark. But others have struggled to make the adjustment. Alexander admits circumstances can also make it tougher for a young prospect to earn their chance. With City riding high, there was no obvious moment to throw them in. “It’s a big jump anyway and you also look at what the first team are doing. “If they’re mid-table and secure and that’s okay with everybody, you can blood a couple of youngsters and give them an opportunity at the expense of a senior player. “But the last two years we’ve been at the top end of the table and had some top players in those positions. It’s really difficult. “Bobby has shown it’s possible if you get the opportunity. Ibbo’s been training with us for a while so you’ve got that chance every day to make an impact and show you can compete against the centre halves, hold the ball up and score goals. “Sometimes as a young player you can almost accept your position is just to be around training and that’s it. “But at some point, you have to go, ‘that’s not enough for me now. I want to prove I can be as good as him or better.’ “Ibbo’s at that point where he’s got to do that and get a real hard edge mentally and show us that he wants to have a full career as a professional footballer. “It’s one thing signing professional forms and getting a contract. But becoming a regular in the first team like Bobby is a completely different story. “Getting a contract in the first place is probably 10 per cent of the challenge that you’ve got in front of you.” Ibbitson has been out on loan three times since smashing 31 goals for City’s under-19s. After spells at Kidderminster and Guiseley, he spent last season with Chorley where he played 38 times in the National League North with 14 starts and four goals. While City plan to send out Hadi again for further experience, Alexander wants Ibbitson closer to home. “We sometimes put out circulars about young players when we want them to go out on loan. “Zac had a pretty good season last year playing as a first-team goalkeeper and getting rave reviews. It will be good to build on that. “Harry could still go out on loan but I want to give him the opportunity to make an impression right now first and foremost. “If he does, he stays with us; if he needs a little bit more gametime with people, then we’ll make him available. “I want us to be his priority and for him to understand we’re giving him the opportunity to make that impression and compete for a first-team spot.” Ibbitson is likely to feature again at Halifax tomorrow after playing 45 minutes at FC United – where he was employed at right wing-back up to half-time. It is not a position Alexander is looking at long term for him. “Never say never but he’s a forward player. “We had a training game on Tuesday and he played in one of the front three positions. “It was just a spot that was available and we gave him the chance of playing half a game with the first team. “Sometimes as a young player, you have to take any opportunity to show what you can do and gradually work your way back to what your original position is. “The wing-back role for us is forward-thinking anyway. You need to be able to take people on and have opportunities to score goals – which he nearly did early on. “Ultimately he’s a forward player but let’s see what the future brings.”