Brentford v Bradford City: Parkinson backing for struggling star Mclean

But the Bantams’ manager is backing his January signing to come good and soon be back on the scoring trail.

Mclean joined City in the wake of Nahki Wells’s £1.2m move to Huddersfield Town. Seven weeks on, however, and the 30-year-old is still waiting for his first goal in Bradford colours.

Last week, the former Hull City striker spurned a glorious chance to break that duck as the Bantams crashed to a shock 3-2 defeat at home to Stevenage.

Parkinson said: “It is a concern. We brought Aaron in as a focal point to score goals but, at the moment, it isn’t happening. He has had some good chances but he just needs a goal.

“Aaron is experienced enough to know he just has to keep going. Obviously, any new signing wants to hit the ground running.

“But, in football, nothing is guaranteed. You can sign a player for £50m or £25m and yet it will take time to come good.

“No one is more frustrated than Aaron, and it isn’t for a want of trying. He is working hard, both in games and on the training pitch.

“His all-round game has been good and he has created chances for others. But strikers are judged on goals so there is an element of frustration for Aaron right now.

“The only way to come out of this is for him to keep getting in the right positions and then things will change.”

City travel to Brentford looking to complete a league double over the promotion chasing London club.

Parkinson, whose side triumphed 4-0 over the Bees in September, added: “People might not necessarily perceive Brentford as one of the big spenders in League One, but they definitely are.

“But we are going down there feeling confident. We got after them very well at home and that led to their goalkeeper being sent off. After that, we were very ruthless in how we dealt with Brentford.

“It won’t be easy down there as they need the points for promotion, but if we do the right things we will be okay.”