Marcus Braddock looks ahead to the trip to Bradford City
Bradford City have had a difficult season so far and currently sit in 23rd place with 28 points from 29 games. The season started pretty well with a win away against us on the opening day of the season but with just three more wins before Christmas, they found themselves looking up at pretty much everyone else in the division. Christmas brought Bantams fans four wins out of five but they've not won since new years day and have only scored once. Their motivation for this game is likely to be the fact that they will draw level with us if they can get the three points. Our motivation is equally simple, with Oxford, Bristol Rovers and Gillingham all playing at home tonight, we need to win to be certain of staying ahead of them.
Top Scorers
Jack Payne 8 from 37 appearances.
Eoin Doyle 7 from 31 appearances.
Anthony O'Connor 5 from 34 appearances.
Assists
Lewis O'brien 4
Eoin Doyle 3
George Miller 3
Clean Sheets
Six at home and three away.
Bradford haven't been starting games well judging by the eight goals they've conceded in the first fifteen minutes of games this season. At home they've conceded six in the first fifteen minutes but the second fifteen minutes has seen them score five at home, more than any other similar period.
Referee
Andy Haines from Tyne & Wear. Games this season: 25 . Yellow cards: 80. Red cards: 4.
Assistants: Kevin Mulraine and David Avent.
Squad News
Dave Edwards is still out of action but Shaun Whalley is available after coming on as substitute against Wolves, but maybe not ready for a start.
Summary
As I said above, we really need to win tonight if we want to keep Oxford, Bristol Rovers and Gillingham behind us, our recent form has seen a number of away draws so it would be good to turn one of those into a win. However, we should be drawing confidence from beating Stoke and pushing Wolves all the way to a replay. Form wise, we've only lost twice in the last ten games in all competitions (if you exclude the penalty shoot out at Port Vale). During that time we've only won twice but we have put on some good performances against some very good teams including a draw at Sunderland, another at Blackpool and of course the cup games. Throughout those games there have been more than enough signs that this team could still finish well in Skybet League One this season if we can find the right form.
COYB!!!