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Club News

LET'S MAKE IT ANOTHER SPECIAL CUP NIGHT

13 January 2015

Club News

LET'S MAKE IT ANOTHER SPECIAL CUP NIGHT

13 January 2015

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson hopes City's sizeable home support against Millwall in their F.A Cup third round replay can play its part in turning Wednesday evening into another special cup night at the Coral Windows Stadium for the club.

Parkinson's men entertain Championship side Millwall on Wednesday looking to defeat the Lions and book a mouth-watering trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea in the fourth round.

With the club having already enjoyed some magical evenings under the lights at Valley Parade against the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leeds United during the Parkinson era, City are certainly no strangers to causing an cup upset in front of their own fans.

And with a five-figure crowd expected inside the stadium for the Millwall replay, Parkinson want the Bradford fans to raise the roof once again on Wednesday night as City look to achieve another notable cup triumph.

Parkinson said: "We've had some good nights (at the Coral Windows Stadium).

"I think the games under the floodlights at Valley Parade are special, and that is certainly the case for cup matches. We've had some terrific nights at home down the years.

"Wednesday night could be another one.

"Ticket sales for the game are going really well and I am so pleased about that.

"When we went down to Millwall and we spoke about playing in the environment there and dealing with the atmosphere in their ground.

"We have to make sure that the Millwall players now know what it is like playing at the Coral Windows Stadium on a cup night.

"The bigger the crowd, the better the atmosphere will be.

"Hopefully that will help us.

"Obviously the draw against Chelsea has heighten expectation, but I feel the fans are also wanting to get behind the lads - they can see what we are trying to achieve.

"We said ahead of the first match with Millwall that it would be a test for us playing a Championship side but we would go there and play in a positive manner, and we will be looking to do the same again on Wednesday.

"Cup ties are always special - I'm sure there will be plenty of excitement at both ends and both teams will be going for it. We are going to give it everything.

"Cup football is always special in my opinion and I'm sure the place will be bouncing come Wednesday night."

Victory over Millwall on Wednesday night would not only book Parkinson's men a trip to Stamford Bridge, it would also see City into the F.A Cup fourth round for the first time since the 1999/2000 season - a time when the Bantams were a Premiership side.

A win over Millwall would go some way as well to getting rid of the frustration felt by City after their harsh last-gasp defeat over Rochdale at the weekend.

Parkinson added: "I don't think I have to mention them (Chelsea) too much in the build up to the game. Everybody knows who is waiting in the fourth round for the winners of this tie.

"We will instead be focusing on the key elements that we will need on the night to try and give us the best chance possible of getting through.

"The club haven't got to the fourth round in 15 years and it would be an achievement if we could get there again.

"We know the lads will have to raise their levels up again though.

"We haven't trained much this week. We took the decision after playing against eleven men for so long on Saturday (vs Rochdale) that these two days (Monday and Tuesday) would be very light for the players in terms of their workload.

"We want to give the lads every chance possible to recreate the same energy levels that they have shown over recent weeks.

"Everybody is obviously disappointed about losing on Saturday but we want to now try and go on another unbeaten run.

"We will be giving it everything to do that come Wednesday."



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