Parkinson brings new levels of optimism to Valley Parade

First, there is the arrival in the press room, usually feeling a sense of optimism that this week will be the one when the club’s fortunes turn round.

Then, as the game kicks-off with Valley Parade barely half-full, it soon becomes evident that the visiting team are inspired by surrounds befitting a level a lot higher than League Two and have upped their game accordingly.

Human nature – and the fact Bradford have suffered a truly shocking fall from grace since being relegated from the Premier League in 2001 – then invariably leads to nerves spreading among the home fans, who the moment their team then fall behind become wearily resigned to defeat.

Finally, with the game over and City having often been either beaten or held to a draw, the opposing manager will wax lyrical about what a great achievement it has been for such a small club with meagre resources to humble a true giant.

All very predictable and, for those of us who remember the days not so long ago when Paul Jewell’s Bantams cut a swathe through English football, all very depressing.

Thankfully, the past year has brought a long overdue change in not only fortunes at Valley Parade – as a record of just four defeats in 30 home outings proves – but also the mindset of players and supporters alike.

Now, if City suffer a setback, instead of that resigned shrug of the shoulders that said ‘here we go again’, there is a clear sense of resolve to turn things round.

Bringing about this transformation has not been easy but the hard yards put in by manager Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff since coming to the club in September last year are paying off.

“It is inevitable there will be some negative talk around the place when you have had as many years of struggle as Bradford have had,” said the City chief 24 hours on from masterminding Bradford’s progress into the Capital One Cup semi-finals at the expense of Arsenal.

“It leads people to say, ‘We always struggle against that team’ or ‘they always do well here’.

“But from day one, I have made it clear that you make your own luck. By that, I mean we made sure in the summer that we got the right structures in place. We also got the players fit and signed players who had the right desire.

“My belief is that any nervousness about playing teams is taken away when your own side is decent. And I believe we have a decent side, who all work hard for each other.”

The magnitude of City’s achievement in beating an Arsenal side packed full of internationals has been underlined by the exposure Parkinson’s men have had since the very moment on Tuesday night when Thomas Vermaelen’s penalty struck the post.

Even Parkinson admits to being surprised by just how many first-choice players that Arsene Wenger selected.

No wonder, therefore, he is so fulsome in his praise for Bradford’s Cup heroes.

He added: “We showed immense character and quality. I was very, very proud of the boys but I am not the only one.

“Nahki Wells’ dad flew over from Bermuda for the game, while Carl McHugh’s family are all over from Ireland. How proud must they have felt at what happened? I am so pleased for them.

“As for who we want (in next week’s semi-final draw) I really don’t know. If Leeds beat Chelsea, that would be a terrific game.

“Someone mentioned Europe to me after the game. Now that is getting carried away.”