Midweek news

Next fixture
L2 (H) v Wycombe Feb 12th 2011 K.O. 3.00pm


Fixture news
Macclesfield away game will now be played on Tuesday 5th April 2011


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Taylor wants City to give fans hope
Posted on: Fri 11 Feb 2011
Peter Taylor will ask his Bantams side to not leave City fans disappointed when Wycombe Wanderers ride into town this weekend.

Taylor's side will start as second favourites against the high-flying Adams Park outfit but the Bantams boss says that's no reason for his players not to believe they can't win.

He said: "If I was a supporter, I would understandably find it totally unacceptable if I didn't see our players run around more than Wycombe.

"The players have to make sure that isn't the case then and if the ball goes for us as well, that would be a plus.

"I'm expecting us to show Wycombe how much we can play and how much we want to win."

Taylor admits he has his desired starting eleven for this Saturday's clash in his mind already, with the City boss set to go with experience for the visit of the Chairboys.

It remains to be seen whether Scott Dobie will finally be handed his first action in a City shirt, but fellow new boy Kevin Ellison is tipped to start.

Taylor added: "I know Kevin really well and he has the ability to play in a number of positions.

"He has a good left foot and can get some dangerous crosses in from that side, something which I think we have been missing lately.

"He can also pop up with some goals now and again, so I think the fans will like him."



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Richard Eckersley has returned to Burnley after his 3 month loan spell at the club has now ended

...

Following Richard Eckersley's departure from the club, Mark Cullen has also
left, returning to parent club Hull City.

Cullen joined the Bantams on a one month loan and featured four times
without hitting the net.

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TAYLOR URGES CALM AMIDST THE STORM
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Peter Taylor is pleading for calm heads as fans grow agitated with Bradford
City's current plight.

Taylor faces his old club Wycombe at Valley Parade on Saturday with the
pressure continuing to build at the bottom end of League Two.

Hereford and Macclesfield moved a point closer to City last night after
their 2-2 draw at Edgar Street.

Rumours were flying about Taylor's position last week when he met the two
chairmen in the wake of the 2-1 home loss to Lincoln.

A run of only one point from six games has dumped City in the mire. But
Taylor believes a sense of perspective is required.

He said: I look at the situation and when I came here on February 17, the
team had played 28 games and had 34 points. We've played 28 now and our
points total is 31.

"It's not a million miles away and I've not been here a year yet.

"When I joined, we were very confident we could kick on as a club. There's
no denying this season has been very disappointing and there are a lot of
reasons for that but I'm still confident we can start moving back up the
table."

Taylor was barracked by some sections of the crowd during the Lincoln game
and could face another rough ride if things don't go well this weekend.

But he can point to the example of Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler, who
has turned it round after fans were screaming for his head earlier in the
season. The Kent club resisted the calls and they are now pushing for the
play-offs.

Taylor added: "That's why people have to make the right decisions. People
out there, especially the younger supporters, are saying 'change the
manager' and all that rubbish but that's very dangerous. You have to keep a
level head. For the future of Bradford City, we need to be calm."

Meanwhile, youngsters Alex Flett and Dominic Rowe have been handed squad
numbers as a reward for their progress in the youth team.

Central midfielder Flett has also been an ever-present for the reserves
while tricky winger Rowe was instrumental in City's successful FA Youth Cup
run.

Youth manager David Wetherall said: "It's a nice pat on the back for them.

"It's a step forward, although this doesn't automatically get them where
they want to be this year, which is being given a pro contract."

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Omar out Ellison In

Ellison fits the bill as Taylor draws up Bradford City battle plan
7:00am Friday 11th February 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Taylor thinks new capture Kevin Ellison is better suited to City's survival scrap than Omar Daley – but wanted to play them both.

The combative winger teams up with Taylor for the third time and goes straight into the side for tomorrow's crunch Valley Parade clash with Wycombe.

Ellison has joined City for the rest of the season, with Daley heading the other way to Rotherham. While both deals contain a call-back clause after the first month, it is likely to spell the end of the Jamaican's four-year stint at the club.

But while Daley's inconsistency has infuriated at times, Taylor revealed that he was not looking to push him out.

He said: "I spoke to Ronnie (Moore) about Kevin but that was it. He then came back to me about Omar.

"I would have loved both of them to be here but that was the only way round it so I accepted that.

"It was a tough decision and that's why managers like myself look as old as they do.

"I just felt that maybe Kevin would be better news for us at the minute than Omar. That's not having a go at anybody, both are very good players, but they are different styles."

City's lack of goals have been a major factor in their slide down the table and Taylor believes the left-footed Ellison can provide more ammunition for James Hanson, who has netted in the last two games.

"James is in good form and I want somebody to cross the ball more to use his strength.

"I know how exciting at times Omar can be but I know Kevin really well. He can play a couple of positions, gets crosses in and can score a goal. I think our crowd will quite like him. He gets in the opposition's faces, wins free-kicks and scores a few.

"He's also a really lively character round the place. I've said we are a quiet team who need some noisy ones.

"All of a sudden it's a much noisier camp with the experienced players, which is great, and Kevin definitely fits that bill. He will not be shy.

"He's out of contract in the summer and I'm sure he will be very interested in getting a permanent one here. It's up to him to come and show it."

Ellison has stirred up the Valley Parade crowd in the past with his spiky nature on the pitch. He doesn't mind that reputation as the opponent other clubs love to hate.

He said: "That's me all over and hopefully I can do the same in a Bradford shirt. I'm more than happy to take that title.

"I remember getting a bit of stick here last year but I hope the fans get behind me and the team now.

"I've swapped promotion at one end of the table for a tough battle at the other. But I've been there before (with Chester).

"I could have sat on my backside on the bench at Rotherham but it's all about playing week in, week out.

"I'm surprised to see Bradford where they are. Obviously there have been a few injuries but you see the squad they've got on paper and it's up there with the best in this league.

"Get those players back on the pitch and it won't be a problem and I'm happy to join in the fight."

The arrival of 31-year-old Ellison further tops up the average age of a side that Taylor has suddenly packed with experience.

The City boss has already planned his side and will face his former club with confidence.

"The team that will start is very capable of winning any match in League Two.

"I would find it totally unacceptable if I was a supporter and didn't see our players run around more than Wycombe. And if the ball goes for us as well, that would be a plus.

"I'm expecting us to show Wycombe how much we can play and how much we want to win."



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From Bantamsfan.co.uk

ANDY TOD RETIRES TO JOIN POLICE

Former City defender/striker Andy Tod has been released by Scottish Division
two side Forfar Athletic this week so that he can begin his new career as a
Police officer at the age of 39.

Forfar boss Dick Campbell said: "Andy Tod has been a great servant to
football and a great captain of Forfar Athletic. He was worked hard
throughout his career and we wish him well in the Police."

Tod originally joined City on loan from Dunfermline Athletic in 2001 and
after scoring 4 goals in 12 games the move was made permanent and City
forked out £100k.

It wasn't long before City started having serious money problems and a
clause in his contract meant that Dunfermline would have been due an extra
payment from City if he had played one more game.

That led to him being loaned out to Hearts and Dundee United before he was
finally released in July 2003 and he re-joined Dunfermline.