Parkinson aiming for pressure at top end of the table next time

Manager Phil Parkinson is looking forward to a busy summer, building a Bradford City team ready to make a promotion challenge.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th May 2012, 12:15 BST

After watching his team enjoy the better of a 0-0 draw against champions Swindon Town in a rousing Valley Parade finale, Parkinson said: “You are normally drained at the end of a season, but I am looking forward to next season and the challenge of building a squad and making sure we don’t feel the pressure we have felt this season. I want pressure, but at the top half of the table.”

It is only a fortnight since City made sure of their Football League future, but Parkinson said: “This club has got a great history and tradition and it would have been a travesty if we had been relegated. We have got to make sure we are not in that position again. The only way we can stop that happening is to make sure we keep the players we want to keep and add some more.

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“One of the reasons I wanted to come to Bradford City was that I knew if I could get this club going the sky would be the limit. That is why it is a good a job and I am relishing the challenge.”

City will take encouragement from their performance against Paolo Di Canio’s side. Swindon have been the outstanding side in the division this season but they were second best in this match.

With winger Kyel Reid a constant threat, Bradford would have deservedly won with better finishing. James Hanson created three good chances for Bermudan striker Nahki Wells but twice he was thwarted by goalkeeper Wes Fotheringham and once he shot wide. The best chance fell to David Syers in the 67th minute. He had only Fotheringham to beat after running on to a through pass from winger Will Atkinson, but the goalkeeper blocked his shot.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Ramsden, Oliver, Davies, Kozluk, Atkinson, Ravenhill, Syers, Reid, Hanson, Wells (Baker 81). Unused substitutes: Annerson, Smalley, Bullock, Bass.

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Swindon Town: Fotheringham, Thompson (C Smith 21), Caddis, Flint, McEverley, Ritchie, Risser, Ferry (Storey 55), Holmes (Rooney 77), Bostock, Benson. Unused substitutes: Connell, J Smith.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Kyel Reid.