Bradford’s McCall post Wrexham

Stuart McCall, talking to the Telegraph & Argus, was understandably delighted as he welcomed the players back to training after Bradford City recorded their first league victory in eight months ‘we’ve been talking about it again this week and December 16, when we last won here, seems so long ago.

But the Bantams didn’t make it easy, Neil Roberts’ equaliser heralded a period of pressure from the Welsh side during which we might have buckled ‘it certainly crossed my mind after Wrexham equalised as I’m sure it did everyone. For a while the game looked like it might go either way but we responded again and I thought we got what we deserved.’

With four points from the opening nine Bradford’s season has got off to a good, if sedate start but Stuart said it’s miles too early to look at the league tables but it’s never too early to get your first victory. And we got the monkey off our backs at home.’

There had been mumblings of discontent beginning to emerge before Saturday’s result (go figure) and perhaps referring to the questions being asked about certain areas of the squad and the insistence that we must bring new players in (an assessment I increasingly disagree with) Stuart said ‘you do notice at this early stage if other people are struggling and you don’t want to fall too far behind. For a lot of reasons it was an important win for us. I don’t think confidence has been dented in any way because the players can see what they are working with day in, day out at training. But coming in on the back of a win gives everybody that little boost.’

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The free 250 tickets supplied by club sponsors Bradford & Bingley were all snapped up in an hour this morning with one lucky fan getting to bend the ear of the gaffer ‘I arrived [at VP] and saw the queues for the free tickets to see us play Barnet. I thought the chairman was doing his burgers again! I spoke to a lad who was absolutely delighted to have got his ticket and couldn’t wait for the game – that’s the reaction you want.’

Like Saturday’s opponents, Barnet are also out of the Carling Cup meaning both sides get mid-week off. This will come as a welcome breather for both squads as they struggle to get players back to fitness. Barnet have suffered from suspensions and injuries in recent weeks making Saturday a great time to play them.

For the Bantams, although Darren Williams looks to be out for a few weeks after tearing his abductor muscle, Peter Thorne will feature in tonight’s reserve match against Shrewsbury. With the game at home it is feasible that a number of Bradford City fans will choose to go to Valley Parade and cast their eye over what is effectively a new signing.