Sheff Utd v Bradford: Derby provides perfect opportunity for City to bounce back

Controversial suggestions that the fire disaster that claimed 56 lives was not an accident have emerged with the publication of a new book and caused huge upset in a city that is preparing for the 30th anniversary of that truly horrific day.

There has also been the news that City are the subject of a takeover bid by former QPR chairman Gianni Paladini, while, on the pitch, the club slumped to their biggest defeat of Phil Parkinson’s reign on Tuesday night as champions-elect Bristol City romped to a 6-0 victory.

For Parkinson, recovering from that hammering on home soil is what he can affect and he believes today’s derby trip to Sheffield United is the perfect game for his players.

“It is a great game for us to bounce back in,” said the City chief, who has been kept abreast of any takeover news by joint- chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes during the past couple of months.

“From our point of view, we want to get Tuesday night out of our systems and there is no better way than winning a derby match.

“We can’t hide away from the fact of the scoreline. It was an embarrassment, even allowing for it coming against the team that will win the division.

“The lads were so crestfallen after losing to Gillingham after playing so well. I could see they were on the floor so when we conceded twice early on, that was a big, big blow.

“The belief drifted away and Bristol City exploited that. We have to remember, though, that this group has given everything this season.

“No one will forget what these lads achieved but they are also human. Losing at Gillingham was a kick in the teeth too far for a few of them.”