Port Vale v Bradford City: Time for Bantams to be more clinical '“ Stuart McCall

WITH a host of rivals suddenly snapping at Bradford City's heels in the final play-off place, Stuart McCall wants points to go with the plaudits that his side have been receiving from opposition managers.
Bradford City manager Stuart McCall (Picture: Tony Johnson).Bradford City manager Stuart McCall (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Bradford City manager Stuart McCall (Picture: Tony Johnson).

The Bantams travel to Port Vale today looking to claim what would be only their fourth victory in 15 league outings.

City have drawn eight of those recent games and remain in the play-off places but a failure to capitalise when on top has allowed the likes of Southend United, Millwall and Oxford United to make a concerted push for the top six.

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Phil Brown’s Shrimpers moved above Bradford in midweek and McCall admits his side need to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

“The lads know what we are capable of doing,” added the former Scottish international. “Our performances have been, on the whole, excellent and that helps boost confidence and the belief the lads have.

“But we have to turn the quality of our performances into wins, that is the bottom line. We have had lots of plaudits from opposition managers, saying we are the best team they have played, but we need points.

“It is all about results now and we need to start matching our performances with the wins we have deserved but not necessarily got.

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“The big positive is those performances. If we hadn’t been playing well, it would be a concern. But we have a lot of players who are in good form, we just have to be more clinical when on top. A couple of things need tightening up.”

City’s three wins during the recent run have all come against sides in the bottom half of the table. Today’s hosts have slipped into the relegation zone after a tough run and McCall wants his side to start positively at Vale Park.

“Port Vale are scrapping for their lives and we need to go there on the front foot,” he added.

Mark Marshall may be fit to face his former club but Alex Jones, who spent the first half on loan at Vale, will not be risked despite returning to training in midweek following a hip complaint.

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McCall will have his own reunion today as Michael Brown, his former midfield partner at Sheffield United when Neil Warnock was manager, is in caretaker charge of the hosts.

“All that matters is the result,” he added. “We need to repeat what we did recently against Northampton, Chesterfield and Oldham.”