Goalkeeping duo have Parkinson’s men in safe hands as they hit the road again

The Bantams, who finished 11th in League One, were a solid outfit on the road last term with their total of 27 goals conceded in 23 league games being the sixth best in the division.

After a 1-0 win at Morecambe in the Capital One Cup and Saturday’s goalless draw at Walsall, the omens seem good for a repeat this time around.

Ahead of tonight’s match at Crawley, Parkinson said: “We were nice and solid at Walsall, who only really gave Jordan (Pickford, first-choice goalkeeper) one save to make.

“Following on from Ben Williams keeping a clean sheet on his debut (at Morecambe, in the absence of Pickford, whose parent club Sunderland would not let the youngster become Cup-tied) it is great for confidence levels.

“Just like strikers take confidence when the goals go in, goalkeepers love clean sheets and we have to be pleased with how solid we looked against both a good Morecambe side and Walsall.”

Billy Clarke is again out after tweaking his hamstring in training last Friday, but Alan Sheehan is back in the squad after flying back to his native Ireland last week following a family bereavement.

Last six games: Crawley Town LDDWWW, Bradford City LWWWWD.

Last time: Crawley Town 1 Bradford City 0; October 19, 2013; League Two.

Referee: C Berry (Surrey).