Recent form has been a lot better. Things have picked up. They've lost just two of the last nine so they're starting to really get back to where they should be to be honest.
|
It has been a reality check. There have been a lot of new names put into the squad over the late part of the summer and it has taken some time for them to gel together. They have had to be patient to become a unit rather than just individual players. It has just taken a while really. They've been getting good crowds at home but some moments of the season have been a real reality check as I say - having to play in front of just 2,000 fans on the second week of the season on a slope at Barnet. It's taken some time to adapt.
How are things for Stuart McCall? Is he under pressure?
I wouldn't say he was under too much pressure. He is the icon of the place for the fans. Any other manager on that kind of run would have gone probably but everyone is firmly behind him. He has built a good reputation at Bradford over the years. He has made it clear that he is here for the long haul and he should have the backing all the way.
Who is your danger man?
|
Peter Thorne up front. He has only scored three goals this season but he has had a lot of problems with injuries. He was released by Norwich in the summer and he decided to join Bradford instead of Oldham and that is seen as quite a coup here. He has now had a run of about half a dozen games and he looks like a very intelligent player. He holds up the ball and brings players into the game. And his football brain looks much better for this division.
Who else should we look out for?
Matt Clarke at centre half from Darlington. We signed him 18 months ago but he missed a lot of his first season through injury. But he is really strong and good in the air. He got his first goal for the club at Accrington last week. He is a very good defender and has given us a real boost with recent performances. Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu has gone back to Gillingham. He is our top scorer but he was only a loan signing. I'm not sure we'll miss him greatly because he tailed off towards the end of his spell. He was not contributing too much by the end of his time at Bradford.
What have you made of Notts' season so far?
I've not really seen too much of them to be honest apart from Spencer Weir-Daley who had a loan spell with Bradford last season. He looked like a good player. He did miss some chances in big games but nonethless h
|
Who do you see as Notts' danger man?
Neil MacKenzie for his free-kick ability. He has scored some good goals from set pieces and seems to have a bit of a knack for it so I'm sure Bradford need to avoid giving away free-kick's in and around the penalty area. Apart from that I don't think we'll be particularly worried about the opposition. The game will be more influenced by what Bradford team turns up.
Where do you think you will finish now? What are the aims?
At the start of the season the aim was to make the playoffs but that is looking beyond us now. We have got to aim to have a much better second half than the first half of the season. And then if they push on and creep in the playoffs it's all well and good but if not there should be a platform for next season. But personally I can see them coming in at around 13th.
Where do you think Notts will finish?
I don't think they will go down. There are some sides below Notts that are poor and I can see them staying in trouble. I'd say Notts will finish in 16th and the teams that are down the bottom now will stay down the bottom.
|
What sort of encounter are you expecting?
The atmosphere should be quite good. It will be quite a contrast to some other grounds in the league in terms of the amount of people there. But it seems to help the opposition more than Bradford because it has turned into everyones big day out. It should be a reasonable game and quite an entertaining match. Notts seem to play quite attacking football.
Is there any team news for Bradford?
Mark Bower has lost his place to Clarke. He has been out with a knee injury. He is probably still struggling to be honest. It will also be Lee Bullock's home debut.
Prediction?
An unconvincing 2-1 Bradford win!