Tonbridge Wells v Bradford City – Elusive third round in Stuart McCall’s sights for Bantams

Stuart McCall has achieved many things across his various spells at Bradford City but he still has some to tick off his list. Managing them in an FA Cup third-round tie is one.
CUP RUIN SOUGHT: Bradford City manager Stuart McCall.  Picture: Bruce RollinsonCUP RUIN SOUGHT: Bradford City manager Stuart McCall.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson
CUP RUIN SOUGHT: Bradford City manager Stuart McCall. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The odds ought to be in favour of him moving one step closer at the Longmead Stadium today, but it is its ability to surprise which makes the FA Cup the competition it is.

Conference South side Tonbridge Angels welcome Bradford for a 12.30pm game live on the BBC’s digital channels hoping to put McCall’s dream on hold for another year.

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“I have always been a big fan of the FA Cup and am looking forward to being involved with the competition again,” says the man who scored twice in the 1989 final for Everton, only for Liverpool to score three and win in extra-time.

Bradford City's Paudie O'Connor. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images.Bradford City's Paudie O'Connor. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images.
Bradford City's Paudie O'Connor. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images.

“I want to be manager of this club at the point of us entering at the third-round stage soon. 

“It is a case of our mentality and getting as much of a grip of a game as much as possible. We need to put in another professional, clinical performance.

“We have to be mentally prepared to know what to expect and make sure we keep our standards high.”

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Paudie O’Connor is looking forward to some new experiences after recovering from a midweek head injury.

“Especially for the lads who have been here for a while, you get used to the teams in League One and Two,” says the fit-again centre-back. “But it’s totally new players and a new manager.

“It might take us 15 or 20 minutes to understand how they like to play, but if we defend well in that period, hopefully we can add a few more goals after that.”

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