ADVER SPORT'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO TOWN'S NEXT OPPONENT: BRADFORD CITY.

The Chalkboard

THE BANTAMS are a different side away from Valley Parade, where they are limited by the abysmal state of the pitch.

Away from home Phil Parkinson’s side try and play their football a bit more, with Billy Knott pulling the strings in midfield and Billy Clarke coming deep from attack in a fluid 4-4-2/4-5-1 formation.

Without James Hanson Bradford cannot be so direct and will be relying on Jon Stead to continue his excellent form.

The back line is a settled unit, Rory McArdle’s pace dovetails nicely with Gary McKenzie’s more physical approach, providing a mean test for opposition front lines.

Likely Line-Up

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

A Man In Form: Billy Clarke 

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

BILLY Clarke was in a rich vein of form prior to an injury against Scunthorpe in December that saw him miss a month of football.

He returned as a last minute substitute in the miraculous comeback win over Chelsea and then scored in the next game, a 2-1 win over MK Dons. The Irishman netted again Saturday’s draw at Yeovil to take his tally to five goals in his last nine appearances.

Playing in a withdrawn number 10 position Clarke will drop back into midfield to act as extra body and link play with the main striker.

He’s a forward who likes to get between the lines and will try and find pockets of space to create attacking plays from.

The Treatment Room

BRADFORD will be without three key players for the trip to Wiltshire, with Andrew Davies, James Hanson and Filipe Morais all out.

Hanson has got a hamstring injury and Morais a knee problem, taking a combined 17 goals out of the Bantams’ team.

Hanson is a big loss and the indications are that he could be out for some time.

The absence of Morais has forced boss Phil Parkinson into the loan market, bringing in Nottingham Forest youngster Oliver Burke on a one-month deal.

Davies is another struggling with a hamstring injury, not thought to be as long-term, with a return next weekend looking likely.

The Form Guide

Sat, Feb 7
SKYBET LEAGUE 1 
2-2 Draw v 
port Vale (A)

Mon, Feb 9
SKYBET LEAGUE 1
2-1 win v
MK DONS (H)

Sun, Feb 15
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND
2-0 Win v 
Sunderland (H)

Wed, Feb 18
SKYBET LEAGUE 1 
2-0 Win v 
Leyton Orient (H)

Sat, Feb 21
SKYBET LEAGUE 1
1-1 Draw v 
Walsall (h)

Top Goalscorers

James Hanson: 11

Jon Stead: 8

Billy Clarke: 7

Discipline

Jordan Pickford: 1Y, 2R

Alan Sheehan: 3Y, 1R

Rory McArdle: 1Y, 1R

The Stat

Since beating Chelsea last month the Bantams are unbeaten in seven games.