MK Dons v Bradford City: McArdle dreaming of a repeat run for Bantams

IF Rory McArdle ever needs reminding of Bradford City’s heroic run to the Capital One Cup final, he only has to visit the newly-created ‘2013 Suite’ at Valley Parade.
Rory McArdle turns to celebrate his goal.Rory McArdle turns to celebrate his goal.
Rory McArdle turns to celebrate his goal.

Shirts, photographs and memorabilia line the walls in tribute to the history-makers who not only reached the club’s first major cup final in more than a century but then went on to win promotion via the play-offs just three months later.

McArdle, a key member of the team that reached Wembley twice in quick succession, has visited the suite several times after home matches.

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And, as the Bantams head to Milton Keynes Dons for tonight’s third round tie, the 27-year-old defender admits his mind is already turning to the possibility of another stirring run in the competition.

“It would be nice to go on another long run,” said McArdle, who started all eight of Bradford’s Cup ties en route to finishing as runners-up to Swansea City. “We went from one extreme to the other last season. All those games in 2012-13 to get to Wembley and then nothing last year (after losing to Huddersfield in the first round).

“That was disappointing and I did miss it. Every time a round of the competition came round last season, I’d be at home and thinking, ‘This time last year we were playing Villa’. Or Arsenal, Wigan, Watford, whoever.

“Watching from afar did make me realise just what we achieved. Manchester City won the final last season against Sunderland, who had beaten Manchester United in the semi-finals.

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“I thought, ‘That was us a year ago’. It showed what we did and that’s why we would love to have a long run now.

“To be fair, there are a few similarities already. We won 1-0 at Morecambe in this season’s first round, whereas it was 1-0 at Notts County (in 2012).

Leeds, like Watford two years earlier, were also a Championship club and we won the tie late on.

“Now, like we did with Burton, we play a team from our own division in round three. So, let’s see what happens. That said, it will be tough, with MK Dons being one of the best teams in League One and full of confidence right now.”

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Karl Robinson’s Dons may have moved into the automatic promotion places over the weekend thanks to a 6-1 thrashing of Crewe Alexandra.

But they will be wary of Bradford after last Tuesday’s meeting at stadium:mk between the two clubs ended in a 2-1 away win. A repeat tonight would do very nicely, especially with Phil Parkinson’s attempts to bring in a loan striker to replace the injured James Hanson having floundered this week.

Stephen Darby, City’s ‘Player of the Year’ last term, is also struggling with a tight groin but City are still hoping to be in tomorrow night’s fourth round draw. McArdle believes the fresh memories of seeing off neighbours Leeds United in the last round can only help.

“Leeds was just like one of those nights of two years ago,” he said. “Just like Arsenal and Villa, including the right result. It reminded me a little bit of the Villa semi-final, first leg.

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“We had been 2-0 up in that but then Villa got a goal back and it really looked to deflate people. With the second leg to come, we knew a one-goal lead wouldn’t be enough to take down there.

“But then Carl (McHugh) popped up and got a third. That changed the entire atmosphere. Leeds was the same. They were down to 10 men so everyone fancied us. Leeds scored first and that seemed to be that but we came back and got two goals really quickly. The scenes that night will live a long time with me.

“Let’s hope we can build on that win against Leeds and get another win in the third round. Playing MK Dons twice in a week is strange but they are two different games.

“Both teams will try and freshen things up. We are playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday a lot at the moment and MK Dons have been the same.

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“But there are parallels with last week. They’d had a great result at Barnsley (wining 5-3) the Saturday before and scored a lot of goals, while this week they heavily beat Crewe.

“We went down in between and got a result and I am sure they will want to avenge that result against us.”

If City can get through tonight, memories of the 2012-13 run are sure to come flooding back for supporters and players alike.

“Every once in a while, I go to see my family up in the 2013 Suite,” said McArdle.

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“It is a great room to have a look round and a fitting tribute to what was a special season.

“It does bring everything back. That group are known as the ‘history makers’ now. Not many of us are still here but it was such a happy time.”

Last six games: Milton Keynes Dons DWWWLW, Bradford City WLLLWD.

Referee: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Last time: Milton Keynes Dons 1 Bradford City 2; September 16, 2014; League One.