Bradford v Southend: City strikers warned by Phil Parkinson to '˜keep foot on the gas'

BRADFORD City manager Phil Parkinson has warned current first-choice strikers James Hanson and Wes Thomas that they must keep producing if they are to hold onto their starting spots.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Feb 2016, 06:39 BST
Phil Parkinson says he will not hesitate to make changes if Bradford Citys strike force misfire (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).Phil Parkinson says he will not hesitate to make changes if Bradford Citys strike force misfire (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
Phil Parkinson says he will not hesitate to make changes if Bradford Citys strike force misfire (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

City head into tonight’s home game with fellow play-off contenders Southend with the considerable fillip of recording their biggest league win since September 2013 – a 4-0 away routing of another top-six candidate in Peterborough United.

The feel-good factor has been increased by Billy Clarke’s return ahead of this evening’s match following a hamstring strain.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Clarke’s availability means that five strikers are in the mix for just two starting places and Hanson and Thomas are likely to line up again after impressing at London Road.

But Parkinson says he will not hesitate to change things if standards slip. He believes that the added competition will bring out the best in his striking pool, saying: “They’ve got to push each other on. That’s the key. (Jamie) Proctor, Hanson, (Steve) Davies, Clarke and Wes Thomas are all good players and we won’t be afraid to change it if we need to.

“It’s about setting standards and reproducing them.

“The ones who are in the team have got to play like they did at the weekend. It’s important from our point of view that we’re not afraid to make changes if we feel people are taking their foot off the gas.”

City, who are looking to propel themselves into the top six, have five of their next seven matches at Valley Parade, starting with today’s visit of Southend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Parkinson is the first to admit that he does not think tonight’s game is likely to be a classic, with the stakes high for both sides.

He added: “I expect Southend to be resolute. They had a period a few weeks ago when they conceded back-to-back four, three and a four and, since then, they have battened down the hatches.

“As is obvious by the league table, there’s very little to choose between the teams.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an open game. We’re going to have to be very patient and be prepared to do whatever it takes.”

Last six games: Bradford DDLWLW, Southend LDWWWL.

Referee: R Joyce (Cleveland).

Last time: Bradford 2 Southend 2; March 29, 2013; League Two.

Related topics:SouthendBradford City