Parkinson prepared for defensive visitors

City head into today’s match with Shrewsbury seeking to extend an impressive home record; only one side have taken three points from BD8 since Gillingham managed the feat in early February.

The Bantams have scored goals aplenty along the way and this season have averaged three in four games, with only Colchester taking something away for their efforts so far in 2013-14.

Bradford’s haul of 12 home goals, most of them plundered by Nahki Wells and James Hanson, is bettered only by 100 per cent league leaders Leyton Orient.

For Parkinson, whose side are seeking back-to-back wins to consolidate their good start to the season after last weekend’s victory at Gillingham, it is a case of long may it continue on the home front, while acknowledging rival teams may decide to ‘shut up shop’ from the onset.

Parkinson said: “We contended quite a bit last season with sides putting men behind the ball and if it happens, it happens.

“We will have to be patient and it’s up to us to find a way.

“We also want to make things difficult for the opposition and make it hard for them to get something from our ground also and (today) will be no different.

“It would be good to back last weekend up as it’s obviously pleasing to get our first away win.

“It’s always nice coming back to your home patch with three points away.”

Shrewsbury have won on two of their last three visits to Bradford and have drawn their last five away games.

Parkinson commented on today’s opponents: “They are a decent side and while they lost to Wolves last week, they are coming into the game on the back of a good performance and took something from the game.

“It will be a challenging game and Shrewsbury are a well-organised team.”

City are picking from strength, with defender Carl McHugh having handed them a boost by returning to training this week.

A number of fringe players await their chance with the form of the current first XI keeping a good number out of the side.