It somehow feels like a lifetime since the Bantams last walked out of the tunnel at Valley Parade for a League One encounter. That was of course the 1-1 draw against Oldham and despite facing two very tough away matches since then at Millwall and Gillingham, we still sit unbeaten in the league this year after seven matches, the best start to a season we’ve had in the last 40 years. 21 days after that draw against Oldham at home this Saturday we return to entertain League One newcomers Bristol Rovers.
Going into this weekend’s match up with Darrel Clarke’s men there are no new, fresh injuries concerns for Stuart McCall to worry over. Despite Rory McArdle taking part in full training this mid-week the central defender is still not match fit yet however both Nathan Clarke and Tony McMahon could be in contention for the match up with Rovers. Once again squad rotation could occur as we have fantastic squad depth compared to recent seasons however it’s likely that McCall will go with the same starting XI that played down in Kent against Gillingham last weekend.
During today’s pre-match conference with the official Bradford City twitter page Stuart McCall seemed positive about his squad and the team’s recent overall performance. The competition in most positions is extremely fierce and it only took one look at the bench of Saturday to realise that we have a fantastic squad this year at Valley Parade, capable of challenging right at the top of the table come the end of the season.
During the pre-match conference McCall stated that; 'The lads only have to look around them to know the standard they've got to be at to get a shirt and keep it.' Before alluding to the squad depth availability by saying 'we could pick 5/6 sides for Saturday. We can only pick 1 so naturally players are going to be disappointed to be left out.'
Despite sitting towards the bottom end of the table due to a relatively poor start in the league we should not underestimate Saturday’s visitors Bristol Rovers. Impressive back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons following their one year drop into the Conference prove that Rovers and manager Darrell Clarke having that winning mentality which I’m sure will come good during the rest of the season for the Gas. The Gas certainly have a decent squad as well boasting one of the football league’s most prolific strikers in their ranks. In forward Matt Taylor, Bristol Rovers have last season’s top scorer in the football league as he bagged a very impressive 27 goals along with 5 assists and the striker has already shot of the mark this term with 5 goals to his name already. Taylor is one of those forwards that knows where the back of the net is and can put away any sort of chance given the room, with 49 goals in 96 appearances for Rovers, our centre back partnership will have to be well aware of where he is at all times on Saturday.
All in all this Saturday’s match up with Bristol Rovers should be an interesting one. We have to carry on our solid displays, especially at the back, and with that another three points could be a real possibility. Long may the undefeated run continue.