Saturday 15 September 2007
Coca-Cola Football League 2
Bradford City vs Peterborough United

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson and his team and supporters to this afternoon's game.

I've been on a management course with Darren over the last year and got to know him. He's a really nice fella and I'm pleased to see him doing a good job with Peterborough.

Obviously he has been given the resources to bring in players but just because you've got a bit of money that does not guarantee success. It's sometimes harder spending it but they seem to have done it well by signing a lot of boys out of non-league.

I was delighted with the result at Lincoln last week and particularly with the way we played.

I am still not sure about whether their goal crossed the line. I've freeze-framed the video and it's a hell of a call from the linesman.

You accept that it's their job but you have to be 100 per cent sure with decisions like that and when you see it again it's very difficult to tell. The attackers around the ball didn't really appeal and that's usually a sure sign.

But I was pleased with the way we didn't let that affect us and came back to score a good equaliser. Omar's got all the tricks in the world but the best one he has got in his locker is pace.

He gave the Lincoln boy a three or four-yard start and still went past him and then showed real bravery to get the pass off when he knew he was going to take a bang from the goalkeeper.

Credit where it's due, Lincoln are a good footballing side and they were the more forceful team in the first half hour or so. But from the moment we got that goal, I felt we were the better side and deserved to win.

Our second goal came from a great break after we were defending a throw-in in our own box. Joe Colbeck almost started from our own dead-ball line and to be up there to take a great pass from G and finish so well is a testament to his fitness.

Confidence is certainly high and all the lads have been looking forward to facing Peterborough this afternoon.

They are a definite attacking threat with a lot of options going forward. It will be, without a doubt, a really tough game for us. But I'm confident in the players I've got and believe we can get the right result.

Our last performance here against Wrexham was good and you just want to build on that.I don't want to sound boring but any manager will tell you that it's all about consistency.

It's no good having an exceptional couple of games and then dropping down a level. You need to perform week in, week out.

I would imagine we'll be in for an entertaining game and hopefully we can give the fans plenty to cheer.

I have to say that as well as the big crowds here, the support we are getting on our travels makes them feel like home games. The numbers who went down to Barnet and also the other night at Lincoln were tremendous and the lads really appreciate that.

Remember, we're all one team. Together we can be successful.

Enjoy the game and shout for the lads,

Stuart