ARJEN Robben and Robin Van Persie deserve a pat on the back for their part in Mark Marshall’s two-footed talent.

As Stuart McCall has pointed out, City’s in-form winger is very much in the minority as someone equally at home with the ball on either foot.

Naturally right-sided, Marshall has honed his skills on his weaker side to such an extent that is hard to spot the difference.

That is down to hours of practice as a young lad – and being inspired by a couple of dazzling Dutchmen.

Marshall said: “It goes back to when I was young and the players I really liked watching who were left-footed.

“I’d see Robben and Van Persie, those sort of players, on the TV and really wanted to be like them. So I always used to work hard and practice to try to do that.

“It was hard in a sense because of your co-ordination. It doesn’t feel natural when you start.

“But you are also more aware of it so you concentrate more. You’re focusing on working on that foot so it actually develops better.

“I used to line up cones in a zig zag and try and dribble as fast as possible from the get-go. I made loads of mistakes but that was the only way to learn.

“I could have stood there and gone very slowly and that would make it seem like it was perfect. But it’s not. You’d be kidding yourself.

“The faster you go, the more mistakes you’ll make but also the co-ordination will improve with your feet quicker. It’s more like doing it in a match then.”

City fans have enjoyed the results of that early practice this season as Marshall has terrorised full backs on both wings.

Two of his most spectacular goals – from 25 yards against Coventry and then a direct free-kick past Rochdale – were both delivered with a cannon of a left foot.

It begs the question why more players don’t concentrate on improving their ‘swinger’.

Marshall laughed: “I was definitely born right-footed but as the years have gone on, both of them have developed in their own way. I’m surprised that more players can’t use both feet equally because it helps you.

“I’m not giving away my secret but when I’m on the right I always tend to dribble more on my left foot. That way I can see more of the pitch.

“That was one of the main things I realised because I prefer playing on the left. I was dribbling on my right foot and I can literally look at everything going on in front of me.

“But if I was put on the right and did that, what was going to happen? I’ll just end up running down to the line.

“It definitely gives you different options and makes the game a bit easier for me, looking in towards the pitch.”

Marshall’s confidence on either side perfectly suits the fluid way Stuart McCall has got the Bantams playing this season.

He has proved he can fit into any change of formation – even playing as a central striker on several occasions, and said: “The gaffer has put me in different positions and I’ve been able to manage.

“He’s had me playing right midfield, left midfield, in the hole and up front. Maybe the only place I can’t play is centre back.

“But any player has to be able to give the manager options.

“You might be playing a particular formation and there might not be any space for wingers. But in that case, I could play here or there as well.

“You want to give the manager something to think about.”

Marshall used to play as a striker in his youth-team days, so that role is not an alien one. He tries to us his speed and slight build to his advantage against much heftier markers.

“I find it helps if I come off the centre back a little bit because I’m not grappling with him – and nine times out of ten they’ll be stronger than me.

“It’s a different sort of fight. Instead of a battle of strength with a big centre forward, they’ve got to be able to use their feet and deal with a low centre of gravity.

“You look at strikers like Defoe and Aguero, dropping off and getting little holes. It’s about using your brain.

“As soon as the defender is coming, I get my body in line with the ball and then they’ve got to push me, so at least you’ll get a foul.

“Or they might drop off because they’re worried you’ll spin in behind. It’s all about presenting different challenges.”