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Club News

Let's keep being positive

15 August 2013

Club News

Let's keep being positive

15 August 2013

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson has called on his players to keep playing their positive brand of football as they continue to settle into life as a League 1 club.


After twice coming from behind to pick up a praiseworthy point at Bristol City on the opening day, Parkinson's men blew Carlisle United away last Saturday with a storming display of attacking football.


City now travel to fellow newly-promoted side Port Vale this weekend looking to build on their impressive victory over Carlisle with another early season win.


Vale, on the other hand, will head into the game aiming to pick up their first three points of the campaign.


The Valiants' defeat at Colchester United last time out led to Vale boss Micky Adams questioning the enthusiasm of his players for the game. 


With a strong Vale response expected at the weekend following Adams' criticism, City are likely to be up against opponents ready to go on the attack from the off this Saturday.


Having seen his side find the net six times in their first two league games, however, Parkinson is keen for City to be the ones on the offensive at Vale Park.


Parkinson said: "They (Port Vale) had a good start (to the season) with a draw against Brentford. I know Micky (Adams, Port Vale manager) will have looked at that as a good point because Brentford are going to be right up there this season.


"Micky will have been disappointed to lose to Colchester last weekend though. It was a tight game by all accounts, but we know that they will be eager to get that first win (this Saturday).


"We are eager to get another win for ourselves though. We have to make sure that we go there and play in a positive frame of mind and that we are the team in the ascendancy come Saturday afternoon.


"We know that if our players play at their top level and with the hunger and desire that is required - something they have shown in all of our games so far this season - we'll be able to give any team in this division a game."



With City playing Port Vale three times last season - home and away in the league and once in the Johnstone Paint Trophy - when both teams were in League 2, this Saturday's hosts should be largely familiar to the Bantams.


Parkinson added: "We know the majority of their team well from previous matches with them and I am sure they will feel the same about our players. I don't think there will be too many surprises to either team.


"They are similar to ourselves really. Micky has brought in a few new players over the summer to compliment what he had last season. Obviously Vale had a great campaign last year so Micky hasn't needed to change things around too much.


"We always seem to have good games against Port Vale. Micky's teams are always honest and hard-working, and that should make for a good game.


"Micky had a very attacking side there last season and that was a big reason behind their success. Reading some of his quotes, it seems he thinks his side have got away from that slightly last weekend at Colchester.


"He didn't feel that their performance there reflected what they are all about.


"Whenever I have seen them in the past, they have always been a positive team. I expect them to get back to that way of things this weekend."


Mark Yeates should be fit to feature at Vale Park despite a recent slight shoulder problem, while Carl McHugh is also expected to make up part of City's travelling party after taking a whack to the ribs in Monday's friendly at Bradford (Park Avenue).


Parkinson said: "We left him out of training today (Thursday) as a bit of a precaution but Carl will be fine."



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