Parkinson urges beaten Bantams to rediscover their home cutting edge

Phil Parkinson has demanded more creativity from his Bradford City side tonight as they bid to put the setback of defeat against Exeter immediately behind them.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Nov 2012, 08:05 BST

They entertain a second Devonian side in just four days when Plymouth Argyle arrive at Valley Parade.

City dropped to seventh after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Exeter, a first defeat in six games.

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Lowly Plymouth have not won in six fixtures and endured their biggest loss of the season when they crashed 3-0 against Fleetwood Town at the weekend.

But Parkinson said: “They’re a decent team and there isn’t much between the sides in this division.

“They lost a player to a red card on Saturday and we know it’s going to be tough.

“But we’re more concentrating on our own performance and us picking a balanced team.

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“Most games we’ve played this season we’ve always carried a threat but we didn’t do it enough against Exeter.

“We have to make sure we rectify that on Tuesday night.”

Parkinson is hoping to see his side bolstered by the return of up to three players this evening. Defenders Stepehn Darby and James Meredith plus forward Zavon Hines all missed that Exeter game through injury.

Darby and Meredith are “looking good” in their quest for fitness but there is still a doubt over Hines.

Parkinson said: “He’s had a scan today (Monday) on an ankle ligament problem and we’re just waiting for the results.

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“We thought it would have settled down quicker than this but he did just a little bit of jogging on Sunday and it wasn’t right so we’re having a look.”

The Bradford chief continued: “This is a big week ahead for us as we’ve got two league games and then three of our next four games are in the cup. These next matches against Plymouth and down at Bristol Rovers are important building into that.”

City tackle Brentford in the FA Cup, Port Vale in the JP Trophy and then, of course, Arsenal in their eagerly-awaited Capital One Cup quarter-final but, above all are keen to maintain their push for promotion from League Two.

Last six games: Bradford: DDDWDL, Plymouth LLLLDL.

Last time: Bradford 1 Plymouth 1; December 10 2011; League Two.

Referee: T Bates (Staffs).

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