Frustrated Parkinson looking to make Magpies pay for their refusal to bring game forward

The Bantams face the gruelling schedule of two games in a little over 50 hours after being held at home by Reading last weekend in the last eight.

UEFA’s insistence that no top-flight or Cup games clash with Champions League fixtures means City have to travel to the Madejski on Monday night.

Once City officials heard about that possibility during the build-up to what proved to be a goalless draw with the Royals, contact was made with Notts County to see if the game at Meadow Lane could be brought forward to Friday night if required.

The approach was refused, as has a second request this week to leave Bradford, who were in action on Tuesday night at Coventry City on a draining pitch, with the prospect of having to rest several key squad members on Saturday to keep them fresh to face Reading.

Parkinson now wants the large travelling army of fans expected to descend on Meadow Lane this Saturday to make the Magpies pay by cheering his side on to victory.

The City chief said: “I do find it deeply disappointing. I just think that in the spirit of a team from their division in the FA Cup which is 90 minutes away from Wembley, they could have helped us out and moved the game to Friday.

“I am very disappointed that hasn’t happened but what can we do? It is their decision and we have got to go there and make it a bad decision from them.

“We really do want as many supporters as possible to come down for that game.

“People are talking about the ticket sales for Reading but I am concentrating on Notts County. I want as many there as possible to really get that side of the ground full and give the lads every support they can.

“They are putting in one hell of an effort at the moment and I am really pleased with how they are playing.

“It is up to them (County) but it is quite unusual for a club from this division to be in the quarter-finals and one game away from Wembley.

“That, though, is the way it is and we will look forward to going to Meadow Lane on Saturday.”

Andrew Davies suffering an arm injury in Tuesday’s draw at Coventry underlined just how even the best laid plans can go awry ahead of a big game, hence Parkinson’s frustration at having to play twice inside three days.

That said, the Bantams manager is also enough of a realist to appreciate that the extra income – the club will receive £123,750 from the BBC for showing the tie live plus a share of the gate receipts – is welcome.

“The bottom line is we have moaned quite a lot about not being on TV. And rightly so,” said the Bradford manager, whose side were snubbed by the TV companies in the fifth round against Sunderland.

“The Cup run, ultimately, is to get finances for this club to be strong in the years to come and I think we are getting to that stage now with the money where this is another big pay day for us.

“That money again will be added to helping the club going forward.

“So, we can’t moan about being on telly on Monday night.”