Stuart McCall knows full well the Bradford form at Valley Parade this season hasn’t been what he would have hoped. However, he also knows City go into the visit of Scunthorpe full of confidence after winning at Wigan on Saturday.
Plenty of chances were created in the last home game, but this ended in defeat against Plymouth as it ‘wasn’t to be’ on that occasion.
McCall again feels the meeting with Scunthorpe on Tuesday – which ended goalless on Boxing Day when the Iron visited last season – could be a game of few ‘clear-cut opportunities.’
He told the Official Website: ‘We know that so far our home form hasn’t been as productive as it was last season. We created enough chances to win us the game against Plymouth last time out at home, but it wasn’t to be on the day. Tuesday’s game might actually be a match of few clear-cut opportunities.’
Adding: ‘Scunthorpe have a good defensive record so far this season, and we had a tight match with them at home last season. Both sides had openings to try and win it but it finished goalless.’
If victory at second-placed Wigan can’t boost confidence then nothing will. Then again Scunthorpe themselves had a convincing win over struggling Northampton at the weekend too.
Will ‘that bit of magic’ make the difference? McCall thinks it could.
McCall said: ‘We will go into Tuesday’s game full of confidence, especially after the weekend win at Wigan, but Scunthorpe will be in a confident frame of mind themselves after their terrific 3-0 victory at Northampton Town on Saturday. Both teams know each other well, so it might come down to who can produce that bit of magic on the night.’
A familiar face will return to Valley Parade as Rory McArdle, who left City in the summer, will be part of the Scunthorpe squad, probably a starter in fact.
When he does McCall anticipates the former Bantams defender receiving a great ovation from the home faithful.
The boss said: ‘Rory was a superb servant for the football club and he was certainly a tremendous professional during my time with him last season. He will undoubtedly have some great memories of his time here at Bradford, including his winning goal against Fleetwood Town last season that got us to Wembley in the play-offs.’
