Injured Syers sure Bantams can build on defeat

Not only had the Leeds-born 23-year-old’s night ended early due to injury but he was also the last person inside Elland Road to discover that the Bantams had lost.

That was down to Syers being confined to the dressing room once forced out of the action shortly after the hour mark – meaning he had no idea what was happening out on the field.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “Losing was tough to take. Mind, I didn’t even know we had lost when the final whistle went due to having been injured.

“I had gone off at 2-1 to us and the physio had come in to say Leeds had equalised. But I didn’t know Leeds had scored the winner because you can’t hear anything in the changing rooms.

“So, it was really disappointing to hear we had lost. Especially as when I came off, it was 2-1 and we were the ones pushing forward.

“We had built up a head of steam and looked capable of getting something out of it. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”

Syers was one of several City players to impress in the club’s first meeting with rivals Leeds in almost three years.

Jack Compton and Michael Flynn may have got the goals that put Bradford 1-0 and then 2-1 up but there were a whole host of heroes for Peter Jackson’s side.

Syers is hoping his team-mates can take the positives from Tuesday night into their League Two campaign.

He added: “We gave a really good account of ourselves and were on top at 2-1. So, it is disappointing but at least we have positives we can take into the next game against Oxford.

“That will be a tough one, as will Accrington away on the following Tuesday. But we have to take confidence from how far we pushed Leeds.

“The signs are there that we can rise to the challenge.”

As for whether Syers will be fit to face Oxford or Accrington, he said: “The injury was a blow to me.

“I tried to come back on after receiving treatment for a couple of minutes but just couldn’t manage it. Hopefully it is not too serious and is just a little tweak.”

Huddersfield chief Lee Clark was pleased with the 4-2 Cup victory over Port Vale but not with the goals his side conceded.

“With the ball, we played some absolutely fantastic football and scored some terrific goals but without it, it wasn’t always great,” he said. “We didn’t press hard enough for their first goal and for the second, we should have not allowed their player to get into the box.”

Clark called for greater defensive responsibilty, adding: “Everybody within the squad has got to improve on that front. I wasn’t pleased with it on Saturday and the same can be said again.”