Meredith off the mark as Bradford build momentum

AFTER 115 games and almost three years, James Meredith finally got his name on the scoresheet again last weekend.
Bradford City's James Meredith (
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).Bradford City's James Meredith (
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).
Bradford City's James Meredith ( Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).

Unfortunately, the Bradford City full-back scored for not only his own team but also Sheffield United in a pulsating Yorkshire derby that ended 2-2.

On the balance of the full 90 minutes, the Bantams did enough to warrant all three points but, despite the disappointment of allowing a two-goal lead to slip, Meredith feels there is no doubt that the West Yorkshire club is moving in the right direction.

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“There is a momentum growing,” said the 27-year-old Australian, now in his fourth season at Valley Parade after joining from York City in the summer of 2012.

“We have got a lot of new signings, they are good players but it doesn’t happen overnight. This league is a marathon not a sprint and we will slowly build our way up the league, game by game.

“Towards the end you want to be in the play-offs or, who knows, even higher.”

City have, as Meredith rightly points out, brought in a host of new faces recently. Despite that, the back four against the Blades had a familiar look with only Reece Burke – who has extended his youth loan from West Ham United to October 25 – having not been at Bradford for a sustained period.

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“I have been here a long time,” said Meredith. “And I am starting to feel old. One thing I love is that three players out of the back four are in our fourth season together. We know each other really well.

“We have also got a lot of quality in the midfield especially going forward. With Devante (Cole) up front, he is a fantastic player and we will end up getting the best out of him.”

Cole’s goal against the Blades just after half-time on Sunday took the striker’s tally to three in four appearances, one of which came from the bench.

Meredith, meanwhile, has just two – or three, including his own goal – to his name. “I don’t know how many games it has been since I last scored,” he added. “It was a good goal and I am really pleased with it.

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“The downside was scoring an own goal in the second half. It came off my head although I didn’t really know a lot about it. But, all in all, it was a good performance by the lads and we can take a lot of positives out of that game.”