Southend v Bradford City – Break enables Bantams to return to the fray fresh

Covid-19 and the weather brought a three-week break to the Bantams’ season until Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cambridge United and they used it productively, adding six new signings and spending time on the training ground with interim managers Conor Sellars and Mark Trueman.

O’Connor thinks the break could serve them well, although he was grateful the Cambridge snow did not extend it. Tonight, City are at Southend United.

“A lot of the stuff we practised before December was still there but with three or four new faces there was a bit of a changeover and maybe the three-week break might have come at a good time,” said O’Connor, captain at the Abbey Stadium and set to be again with Lee Novak expected to miss out again with a knee injury.

“It was a big relief for us (that Saturday’s game went ahead) because we didn’t really expect it (the snow).”

Sellars says the new signings have added something, although after six games unbeaten under the interims it has certainly not been a reset.

“It’s been good getting some new faces in,” he said. “They’re hungry and they want to get better. It’s been a joy, really.

“We’ve been building on the initial information and just layering the detail.”

Last six games: Southend United LLDWLW; Bradford City DDWWWD

Referee: T Kettle (Rutland)

Last time: Southend United 2, Bradford City 0, August 18, 2018, League One.

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