McMahon invokes spirit of City's League Cup run

MILLWALL'S New Den may prove an intimidating environment when Bradford City call in on Friday week, but the Bantams have an imposing arena of their own to count upon on Sunday.
Tony McMahon says confidence is high in the Bantams camp ahead of semi-final with MillwallTony McMahon says confidence is high in the Bantams camp ahead of semi-final with Millwall
Tony McMahon says confidence is high in the Bantams camp ahead of semi-final with Millwall

That is the message from Tony McMahon, who believes that a League One play-off appointment at a packed Valley Parade on Sunday lunch-time – in front of a second 20,000-plus crowd in the space of a week – can prove a daunting assignment for the visiting Lions.

Both sides head into the game with genuine momentum, with City having equalled a club record of seven successive home league wins for the first time since January 1968 – while seeing their colours lowered just once in their past nine matches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, the Lions have won their past five games, although they have not triumphed on their last five visits to Bradford.

McMahon, hoping to sample the special big-game atmosphere for the first time at Valley Parade –which has yielded famous results against the likes of Sunderland, Arsenal and Aston Villa in recent years – said: “We are playing well and full of confidence ourselves and Millwall won’t fancy coming here.

“We know it is going to be a tough game, but it is one game we are looking forward to.

“It will be a massive crowd again and the fans will be right behind us and hopefully we will get the right result and give them something to cheer about.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I wasn’t involved in the cup runs, but the club have been obviously renowned for the ones they have had over the last couple of seasons, which have been brilliant and there have been some good times here. So hopefully, we can bring some more good times and give the fans something to shout about.”

McMahon believes that retaining a sense of focus and normality in their approach is also key.

Hype and hullabaloo will certainly not be found at the club’s Woodhouse Grove training base this week, according to the north-easterner, with preparation akin to any usual week.

McMahon added: “The stakes are high, we know that. But we won’t do anything different like we have not for any game we have had here.

“Everything will be the same and the preparation will be right and spot on throughout the week.”