Why several Bradford City players have plenty of incentive to improve their form

IN the football world, questioning players’ fight and desire is a damning charge.

Bradford City’s squad showed plenty of the core qualities in their outstanding run of form up to the start of March, but co-manager Conor Sellars candidly admits that those characteristics have not been so evident of late in a five-match winless run.

Sellars said: “Five games is not good enough and not what we want. We have been on the other end of the spectrum and now we find ourselves at the bottom end.

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“We have got to be clear in what we believe in and what is going to get us out of this little rut that we have.

ANSWERS: Bradford City joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, right, are keen for their team to end a five-game winless streak. Picture: George Wood/Getty ImagesANSWERS: Bradford City joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, right, are keen for their team to end a five-game winless streak. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images
ANSWERS: Bradford City joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, right, are keen for their team to end a five-game winless streak. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

“What we see is us coming potentially away a little bit from our fight and desire and that will be said to the guys – that first and foremost, playing for Bradford City, you are going out there and giving everything and you are aggressive and on the front foot.

“The in-possession stuff will come naturally as we have got good footballers. First and foremost, it is who is going to work the hardest and if you work the hardest, you will play. That is as simple as it is.”

A number of players have an added incentive in the weeks ahead, with several contracts expiring in June.

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Among that number are Lee Novak – back ‘on the grass’ at the training ground this week according to Sellars – Anthony O’Connor, Billy Clarke and Harry Pritchard.

Lee Novak is one of a number of Bradford City players whose contracts are up at the end of the season.  Picture Bruce RollinsonLee Novak is one of a number of Bradford City players whose contracts are up at the end of the season.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Lee Novak is one of a number of Bradford City players whose contracts are up at the end of the season. Picture Bruce Rollinson

While focusing on the here and now, O’Connor, 28, admits he would love to stay and is chasing a new deal.

“With those situations like contracts, I try not to worry too much about that and let other things get in my head to affect my performances,” he said. “I just think about playing well myself.

“I have enjoyed my time at Bradford and when the conversation does come up whether the club wants me to stay and the manager sits down with me and has the conversation and if they see me as a big part of the club going forward, I’d be more than happy to stay.

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“I have settled in the area and have bought my first house in Leeds and my wife and kids love it and I only live 10 minutes from the training ground.

“It is a great club to be at and a sleeping giant.

“If we can just get out of this league, I can really see the club taking off and I’d really like to be part of that.

“But as of now, it is literally putting as many points on the board between now and the end of the season.”

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