City place focus on securing future of Parkinson

The Bantams host Wycombe Wanderers tonight knowing any hopes of gatecrashing the play-offs are receding fast.

Ten points separate City from Rotherham United in seventh place and with the visit of the Chair Boys representing their game in hand on the Millers, victory is paramount.

Even then, however, Bradford will have to end the season in stunning form to have any hope of putting pressure on the promotion pack.

With that in mind, attention is already half turning towards next season and, specifically, the future of manager Parkinson.

The 45-year-old, linked recently with the vacancy at Premier League Reading, has just three months left on his existing deal and talks will resume later this week over an extension.

Parkinson, who made history earlier in the campaign by leading his fourth tier side out at Wembley for the Capital One Cup final, remains committed to the Bantams and wants to stay at Valley Parade.

Joint chairman Rhodes, for his part, wants the matter resolved sooner rather than later.

He last night told the Yorkshire Post: “We have to be realistic in saying that the play-offs may be beyond us this season.

“We are all hoping for a fantastic run, of course we are.

“But we also have to have one eye on next season and with that in mind we have to get the manager’s situation sorted out.”

Talks over a possible new deal began several months ago, but stalled amid the hectic nature of a season that, at one stage, saw City play a midweek game in nine of 11 consecutive weeks.

Bradford’s run to the Capital One Cup final also made spare time scarce, while more recently Parkinson’s agent, Barry Nevill, was struck down by serious illness.

With Nevill incapacitated, Parkinson turned to the League Managers’ Association and it was understood they would deal with the matter on his behalf.

However, Parkinson’s agent has now recovered and talks are planned for later this week with City.

Rhodes said: “There has been nothing untoward in terms of the hold-up. It has just been circumstances. We get on really well with Phil and have done ever since he first came to the club.

“However, we do need to now put this matter to bed as any further delays could prove damaging to the club.

“That is why we have to sort this out as soon as possible. We need to know where we are at and remove the current uncertainty.

“That stretches to the question of the players who are coming to the end of their contracts. Their futures need to be decided on, while there is also the summer transfer window to consider and the sorting out of any potential signings.

“With all that in mind, it is important that we get this situation (Parkinson’s contract) sorted out, as we can all then move forward.”

Among the players whose current deals are set to expire in the summer are Gary Jones, Nathan Doyle and Andrew Davies.

The trio signed one-year deals in the hope Bradford would be able to win promotion and are likely to be targets for other clubs.

Along with trying to bring clarity to the managerial situation, the City board have also been working hard on setting out the playing budget for next season.

The lucrative run to the League Cup final makes it likely that the budget will be at a level similar to this season, when it has been among the highest in League Two.

Rhodes said: “We have a pretty good idea as to where we are at for next season and the budget will once again be very competitive.”

As pressing as sorting out a new deal for Parkinson is at Valley Parade, the focus tonight will be entirely on the visit of Wycombe Wanderers.

Last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Exeter City – Parkinson’s 100th game in charge of City – dealt a further blow to any hopes of hoisting themselves into the top seven and continued the club’s stuttering form in 2013.

In 13 league outings, Bradford have won just two and claimed 12 points to slip from sixth to 12th in the table.

However, with tonight’s visit of Wycombe the first of three consecutive games at Valley Parade, City are looking to get their season going again.

To that effect, Parkinson is set to hand a first start since New Year’s Day to glandular fever victim, James Meredith.

The full-back, arguably City’s best player during the first half of the campaign, could be joined on the left flank by Kyel Reid, whose impressive second-half showing at Exeter after being brought off the bench is likely to earn a recall.

Reid, another whose contract will be up at the end of the season, said: “Three wins from these home games (the other scheduled visitors this month are Bristol Rovers and Southend United) would change everything.

“This is a big opportunity for us, as Valley Parade is where we play our best football. We like to attack teams and put them under the cosh. Opposition teams always raise their game, which is understandable as they will see Bradford as a big club.

“They take one look around Valley Parade and want to produce their ‘A’ game, but we just have to be more determined. We owe the fans a performance after what happened at Exeter, especially those who travelled all that way to watch us. We want to repay that support.”