Cambridge United v Bradford City - Be ready to take your chance, Bantams new faces told

Plenty has changed since City last took the field on December 29 against Port Vale, with the League Two strugglers having yet to play a game in 2021.

New signings Danny Rowe, Matty Foulds, Niall Canavan, Jordan Stevens, Rumarn Burrell and Will Huffer have arrived since, while Ben Richards-Everton, Kurtis Guthrie and Jackson Longridge have left the club.

It provides fresh options for City’s interim management team, whose side are unbeaten in five games during their tenure.

Some skilful man-management could also come to the fore as well with newcomers potentially faced with having to wait for a chance and those players currently out of the first team faced with further competition.

The message from the duo is clear – be ready for when the chance arrives.

Pledging to be fair and open-minded in their decision-making going forward, Sellars said: “That is key for (all) managers, myself and Mark. We have to create an environment where players feel they are worthy and feel around it, if you like.

“I think they will see the programme of games coming up and be thinking: ‘There is going to be an opportunity for me here’.

“They have got to make sure they are preparing properly for that and not relaxing too much being on the bench.

“The players not involved at the minute have seen how well the current 11 have been playing.

“For managers, that warrants the opportunity to do it with that team again and again. They have got to be patient.

“But if the players are listening, the biggest thing I would tell them right now is to prepare for your chance.

“Don’t get lazy and think that is you done. Make sure you are doing more than you are already, so that when you come in, you are there to take people’s places.

“If you do well, you will keep the shirt.”

The extent of the task for the visitors today arrives in the fact that Cambridge have played five matches since City last played a game.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe

Link to use: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/subscriptions