Saturday 24 November 2007
Coca-Cola Football League 2
Bradford City vs Stockport County

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Jim Gannon, his Stockport County players, staff and supporters to the Coral Windows Stadium.

Stockport have had a hectic week which we need to turn to our advantage.

Their FA Cup replay at Staines last Monday was called off shortly before kick off due to a waterlogged pitch and had to return to Middlesex again to play the game on Thursday, so hopefully there might be a few tired legs out there today.

We dealt with last week's game at Dagenham & Redbridge magnificently. They are still trying to find their feet in the Football League after their promotion last season and their lads are fighting for the football lives. You have to match that determination.

We haven't had the points away from home that we have deserved this season but you can't live on ifs and buts and the facts are that we haven't won enough points.

But the atmosphere at the club has always been buoyant, even during our losing run, and now the players are getting their rewards for that.

Short of there being any unplanned moves, the transfer deadline on Thursday will have come and gone with no real changes here.

I will wait until the window reopens again in the New Year before deciding on what changes to the team are needed as we push for promotion.

I brought in goalkeeper Rhys Evans to provide competition for off-form Donovan Ricketts last month, but Evans had to return to Blackpool early after injuring his shoulder at Grimsby Town. However the rules allow for us to bring in a keeper in an emergency, but let's hope that we stay clear of injury and that Donovan returns from international duty today full fit.

We have won three out of four games since Donovan returned to the first team and he played a key role in our double over Chester City.

There were a couple of dodgy moments last Saturday at Dagenham but Donovan also pulled off a terrific save when he knocked one over the bar.

The Willy Topp saga dragged on through the week as we continued to wait for international clearance from Chile.

But as he was out of contract prior to the last transfer window we will be able to play him once clearance eventually comes through.

Enjoy the game and shout for the lads,

Stuart