Roots Hall tomorrow will seem a world away from the euphoria of the Capital One Cup.

After a rocking Valley Parade against Arsenal, the Bantams hit the long road to Southend.

While it will ensure all City’s thoughts are firmly fixed back on their league quest, Phil Parkinson admits he would prefer to have followed up Tuesday night with another game on their own patch.

“I’d rather have been at home because we’re riding on the back of our supporters,” he said. “They are such a big part of it.

“I know it’s a cliché that managers always come out with saying how great their supporters are.

“But in this case it’s very genuine from me and all the players.

“Our supporters are a big part with what we’re trying to achieve here. Without their positivity created in the ground, it would be very difficult to get through all the games we’ve done.”

That has not always been the case at Valley Parade during the club’s recent bleak period. But while encouraging a change of attitude on the pitch, Parkinson has felt a similar shift off it.

He is well aware that the results-driven nature of the business can soon upset that balance but feels that right now there is a genuine bond within the club. The fans have trust in their team.

Parkinson added: “There have been some good examples of the relationship between the players and supporters at the moment.

“You look back to last Saturday when it was 0-0 against Torquay when they were down to ten men (after Brian Saah was sent off). There was no agitation but a real understanding among the supporters.

“There have been other games when we’ve been behind and they see what’s happening. They understand when we might make changes from the bench to try to liven things up.

“That’s got to continue. We’re really at the early stages of this season and so are the supporters.

“Whatever we’re doing now in the league it’s where we are at the end of April and early May that counts.”