Andrew Davies has a massive role to play if City hope to claim a Premier League scalp at Wigan.

The Bantams head for the DW Stadium in the Capital One Cup fourth round on Tuesday as the lowest-ranked survivors in the competition.

And John Hendrie believes former Middlesbrough and Stoke centre half Davies will be crucial to their chances because of his top-flight experience.

The City legend said: “The likes of Andrew Davies have such a big part on the night. He has played at that level before and will be so important to the others around him.

“He needs to tell them to go and embrace the occasion; don’t go there and be afraid of it.

“City will need Andrew Davies at his best and the other players must also grab this opportunity.

“It’s not a night for shrinking violets, so go out and give it your best shot.

“It’s natural to be scared when you go to the big clubs – but don’t be petrified about it.

“I used to love going to places as the underdogs. It’s your chance to show you can play on the big stage.

“City are flying the flag for the lower leagues, so just go over there and give a good account of yourselves.”

It will be City’s first appearance in the last 16 since 1988, when they beat Everton at Valley Parade. But Phil Parkinson’s side again missed out on a money-spinning clash from their third away trip in four rounds.

Hendrie said: “When I saw the draw, my first reaction was ‘how unlucky is that’. The cup draws have not been kind for City.

“Notts County away is not a money-spinner, Watford earned them no money even though it was a Championship club, and then you had Burton.

“This is the fourth round and still there’s no money in it. Wigan at home would have been better because you’d have had a bigger crowd.

“I’m sure the chairmen would have been on the floor when the draw came out. They probably made more last year going out in the first round at Elland Road with it being on TV as well.”

Roberto Martinez’s men have claimed crushing 4-1 wins on the road against Nottingham Forest and West Ham in the previous rounds. But T&A columnist Hendrie insists the game is not the foregone conclusion that most will expect.

He said: “We’ve got nothing to lose. People will say this is the end of the road but I don’t think that’s definitely the case.

“You’ve got a Premier League club at home to one from the fourth tier. Nobody fancies City at all, so it’s a win-win scenario for the players and the coaching staff.

“Phil did ever so well going to Watford and being positive. The players have to believe they can do it again.

“Psychology is so important but a lot of it is common sense. Look at the glass as half full.”