Monday 24 March 2008
Coca-Cola Football League 2
Bradford City vs Chesterfield

A warm welcome to Lee Richardson, his Chesterfield players, officials and the supporters for this afternoon's game.

Lee and I were on a management course together and I've also played against him numerous times north of the border.

Aberdeen were a one-man team when I used to knock spots off them with Rangers! But we've had some good battles in the years he was there.

Lee has done a good job with Chesterfield although I think he will be a little bit frustrated that they have just come out of the play-off positions after being up there all season.

But the incentive is there to finish in the top seven and I wish him all the best, after today of course.

We had a decent game down at Chesterfield in pretty poor conditions in December. We merited a draw that day but we know what to expect.

I saw Jack Lester before the game at Saltergate and was delighted to find out that he wasn't playing.

He has been a terrific signing for them and for me, looks the top striker in the division this season.

If I'm honest, he is probably too good for this level and found it a bit too easy at times. But he has obviously enjoyed his football and goes into every game confident of scoring.

We will have to watch out very closely to make sure he doesn't today.

Nobody needs to remind me that our home form has got to improve.

But today's game is not like when we played Mansfield here, Bury, Dagenham or possibly to an extent Rochdale. In those games, we probably started favourites and the fans turned up expecting us to win.

With the season Chesterfield have had, they will be the clear favourites to beat us which should ease a bit of the pressure and might work in our favour. Hopefully the lads can respond to that challenge and raise their game after the recent disappointments here.

The fans keep turning up in magnificent numbers and I want to give them something to shout about.

Remember we are all one team so give us your support.

Enjoy the game