Bristol Rovers v Bradford City: McCall is confident City can stay pace

A BIG week for Bradford City kicks off today with their sixth lengthy trip of 2017 but Stuart McCall insists his players will be fully focused on keeping the club's play-off push on track.
Stuart McCallStuart McCall
Stuart McCall

The Bantams head to Bristol Rovers, who sit 10th in the table after recently selling top scorer Matty Taylor to their bitter rivals from Ashton Gate.

A trip to Fleetwood Town then awaits on Tuesday night before the return of Phil Parkinson with Bolton Wanderers brings the curtain down on a week where City will face three sides sitting in the top 10 of League One.

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“I am sure there will be lots of hype surrounding Phil coming back next week,” said McCall when asked about the upcoming trio of fixtures. “But we have two big games before that and our only focus right now is Bristol Rovers.”

The journey to the West Country follows two road trips to Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy plus visits to Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and Shrewsbury Town since the turn of the year. McCall, however, insists fatigue will not be a problem.

“It is the supporters who face all the difficulties with a run of games like this,” he added. “They usually travel on the day and for the midweek games have to take time off work.

“As for us, it is not as if we go on a horse and cart to all these away games. We travel on a nice, new coach and stay in nice hotels to prepare properly.”

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McCall plans to make full use of his squad in these next three fixtures but he insists whoever starts is capable of getting the victories Bradford crave to keep pace with the leading pack.

“We have a good squad and are looking in good shape,” he said. “Charlie (Wyke) coming in and doing so well on his (goal-scoring) debut (in the 2-2 draw with Gillingham) shows that we carry a big threat up front.”