Young Hammer Josh Cullen confident Bradford City can defy odds

West Ham loanee Josh Cullen has impressed for Bradford since joining the club and is prepared for a hostile environment at Millwall on Friday.

The midfielder, who turned 20 just last month, moved to Valley Parade on loan in February and has since gone on to underline why he is so highly thought of at parent club West Ham United.

Neat and tidy on the ball, Cullen possesses an energy and maturity that has brought an added dimension to the Bantams.

He may yet finish a season that began in the Europa League with the Hammers on July 2 with a trip to Wembley towards the end of this month, even if Millwall will start Friday’s second leg as odds-on favourites following their 3-1 win at Valley Parade.

“It has been a bit of a whirlwind year, but a very good one,” said Cullen to The Yorkshire Post.

“With the Europa League at the start of the season being followed by making my Premier League debut at Anfield before coming up here, it has been an incredible season, and one that I have enjoyed thoroughly.

“Long may it continue and, hopefully, we can finish it with promotion and a win at Wembley.”

If Cullen and his Bradford team-mates are to repeat the feat of Chris Kamara’s side of 20 years ago and overcome that two-goal deficit, it is going to take a Herculean effort.

As Millwall vividly illustrated in the first half at Valley Parade, they are a side who can hurt teams.

They also possess plenty of character, as Neil Harris’s men underlined by standing firm against a home onslaught after half-time to protect their lead.

Throw in arguably the most hostile home fans in English football and Friday is going to be an almighty task, not least for Cullen and Reece Burke, thanks to the duo’s West Ham links.

“The atmosphere is going to be good but you just take it as another game,” said the midfielder.

“My family are all West Ham and obviously there is a bit of a thing with Millwall.

“But it is business and I’m in a position at Bradford now. We’ve got to go there and get the job done.

“You just put the emotions to one side and focus on the game. That is all that matters.

“I am just taking it in my stride like I do whoever we play and prepare for it in exactly the same way as any other game.

“Just because it is Millwall, it doesn’t make a difference to me.”

Even allowing for the first-leg disappointment, Cullen’s record in a City shirt is impressive. His 16 appearances have yielded nine wins and three draws, underlining how good a signing he has been.

“My first game this season was on July 2 so it will be 11 months if we get to the final,” he added.

“But that is what you want, to play in as many games as you  can. To start the season in the Europa League and then, hopefully, end up at Wembley would be great.

“I enjoyed playing in Europe. We had a few trips, playing in Andorra and Romania, and it has been a good season.

“Hopefully, we can finish it not just with getting to Wembley but making sure we do the job there and getting Bradford back in the Championship.”

Securing a second-tier return is integral if City want to bring either Cullen or Burke back to West Yorkshire next season, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has already made that much clear.

If that opportunity does arise, Cullen, for one, is very much open to the idea.

“If Bradford are in the Championship,” said the midfielder, “there is no reason why I wouldn’t come back.

“I have loved my time here  and if that is the best thing for me, I would definitely be open to it.”