Parkinson is relieved to get back on Parade

Three defeats in a row away from Valley Parade have plunged the Bantams back into relegation trouble with just four points separating Parkinson’s men in 19th from bottom club Dagenham & Redbridge.

City manager Parkinson said: “It will be good to get back to playing at home after a disappointing week. I know the players are looking forward to having three of our next four games at home.

“We have done well at Valley Parade in recent matches, even if the performances have not been rewarded with the points we deserved.

“The key is to carry on from where we left off at home to Oxford. We played very well that day to beat a team who are on course for the play-offs.”

Gillingham’s visit today will be followed by a home game with Crawley Town on Tuesday. Bradford then travel to Plymouth Argyle a week today, a fixture that will bring to an end a draining month that has seen Parkinson’s side travel more than 2,500 miles.

The Bantams manager said: “The travelling has obviously not been ideal and it made for a long week on the road. But we will not use that as an excuse.

“We have not got the time for recovery at the moment but we have managed to adjust a few things in training to try and give the players a rest.”

The Valley Parade pitch has been a problem in recent months but Parkinson said: “The pitch is getting a lot better thanks to the weather having improved. That is a big thing for us as we want to pass the ball.”