Scunthorpe United v Bradford City: Tough test on the cards as Bantams eye new defensive record

The Bantams travel to Scunthorpe United just two days after seeing off non-League Aldershot Town in the FA Cup amid testing conditions. City’s 2-0 victory meant Parkinson’s men have now kept five consecutive clean sheets, a feat last achieved in 1954. Another shut-out today and Bradford’s current squad will stand alone in club history.

Parkinson said: “We haven’t got much turnaround time but the players recovered Thursday and we are ready to go again.

“Scunthorpe is one hell of a game.

“I really hope as many Bradford fans as possible can make the trip.

“They will understand the lads have had two tough games in tough conditions and that the lads need every bit of support they can get.

“We want them to really get behind us and help us keep this run going.”

Along with the run of clean sheets, Bradford are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in the league.

The coming week, however, will provide a stern test in the form of today’s trip to Glanford Park, plus clashes with two of the current top three in Coventry City and Walsall.

Parkinson added: “The good thing for us is we have a squad. Every player we sign is capable of playing in the team. I stand by that.

“I have confidence in every single one of them.

“We have had to use more players than we would have liked by this stage of the year due to horrific injuries but we have coped.”