City hero believes Bantams can gatecrash the play-offs

BRADFORD CITY’S hopes of claiming a notable double of a League Cup final appearance and a play-off place this season can surely be deemed slim at best.
Garry ThompsonGarry Thompson
Garry Thompson

Seven points separate the Bantams in 11th place from Rotherham United in seventh and with Phil Parkinson’s side having caught up in terms of games played, it is going to take something special to reach the end of season promotion deciders.

Garry Thompson, City’s matchwinner in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Wycombe, appreciates that as much as anyone. However, the striker also insists all is not lost thanks to a run-in that not only sees five of the club’s final eight games at home but also a host of the promotion-chasing pack having to come to Valley Parade.

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Rotherham, sixth-placed Northampton and third-placed Burton are among those still due to visit Bradford along with Bristol Rovers and Southend United, the latter two being the next opponents for Phil Parkinson’s men.

Thompson said: “The win over Wycombe was important, as it kept us in touch. It also sets us up for our next two games, which are both at home. We want nine points from this run of three home games and if get that then we can see where we are.

“I feel having quite a few games at home could be a big help. Having our fans behind us is always a help and while the pitch isn’t the best at times, we are happy to be at home five more times.

“Our defeat at Exeter (last Saturday) was our first in six. Obviously, we wish we could have won more of those games but now we need to push on.

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“There are eight games left and there is no reason why we can’t go on an unbeaten run.

“The big thing in our favour is the teams we have to play, especially at home. If we win those games then we can draw those teams towards us.

“There is nothing better than arriving late in the play-offs, too, as it means you have momentum. The form team often comes out on top.”

Thompson was a constant menace to Wycombe’s defence and his seventh-minute strike was his sixth in Bradford colours.

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Thompson was unfortunate not to grab at least one more goal and he believes City have laid a marker for the rest of the campaign.

“I would like to think we set a standard that we can match for the rest of the season. If we do that, we will have a chance. There is no reason why we can’t go on a run and get ourselves back in contention.

“A few choice words were said after the (4-1) defeat at Exeter. We all knew we hadn’t been good enough down there so it was important that we bounced back by putting in a good performance.

“I thought we did that and thoroughly deserved the win.”

The win was City’s third of the year and their second since losing to Swansea City at Wembley.

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When asked if the Bradford squad had suffered a hangover from that 5-0 defeat in the League Cup final, Thompson said: “I appreciate it is easy for people to say that. We did well in the cup competitions and yet our league form hasn’t been great of late.

“But only we can change that. It is down to us to get up for every game and I think we will do just that.”