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Club News

No let up

9 April 2013

Club News

No let up

9 April 2013

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson feels nothing will change in his side's approach to games in the final stages of this season despite City nudging themselves back into the Play-Off places.


Having whittled down a recent eight-point deficit between themselves and the Play-Off places, City jumped up into the prized seventh spot in the League 2 table this Tuesday with an emphatic 4-1 win over in-form Bristol Rovers.


The Bantams' convincing home victory over Rovers - their fourth win in five - saw them leapfrog Exeter City into the final Play-Off berth ahead of a mouth-watering trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Chesterfield this Saturday.


Although understandably pleased to see his side make such a significant step up the table, Parkinson insists City's attitude will not alter even though they now find themselves in one of the much-sought-after spots.


Parkinson said: "We've just got to keep going and keep the lads' feet on the floor, which they will do themselves anyway.


"We haven't spoken to the lads about the league table or getting into the Play-Offs, we've just talked about what we need to do to win each game.


"Tonight was a tremendous result for us but we have to carry on doing what we've been doing when we play Chesterfield on Saturday."


Looking back at City's pleasing Rovers result, Parkinson felt the Bantams' fast start in the game was a key factor.


Facing up to a side who had won six out of their previous eight games, Parkinson's men literally flew out of the blocks against Rovers to build an ultimately decisive early two-goal advantage.


The Bantams boss said: "We started really well, and the early goal always helps.


"We were right on it from the off. We spoke to the lads beforehand and explained to them that we were playing a good side tonight. We knew we had to reproduce Saturday's (vs Northampton) performance.


"We asked them to do it again, and they were tremendous from the very start.


"We looked dangerous going forward and capable of producing moments of quality in the final third.


"We got goals at important times in the game. 


"Obviously when they scored to make it 3-1, the next goal could have been crucial. If they had got it, it could have put a different complexion on the game. But I felt our fourth goal through Tommo (Garry Thompson) was an important one.


"Tommo deserved his goal tonight - I thought he was outstanding. He was done brilliantly to set up Nahki's first and then got himself a goal as well.


"There were a lot of good things to come out of tonight for us. Bristol Rovers are a good side - I can see why they have done so well recently." 


Parkinson confirmed after the game that Gary Jones was taken off purely to give the skipper a breather in the game's closing stages. 


Fellow midfielder Ricky Ravenhill should also be fine for the weekend trip to Chesterfield despite taking a couple of kicks during the match.


Parkinson added: "He's (Gary Jones) 35 years-old, (he) runs around, covers every blade of grass, so we just thought at 4-1 it would be a good time to give him a break.


"It was just a couple of whacks for Ricky. I thought he was tremendous tonight - he was one of those unsung heroes in the side."



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