Bradford City: Hanson happy goals are coming from left, right and centre (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City: James Hanson happy goals are coming from left, right and centre

9:00am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Sport By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

They say that a problem shared is one halved – and City are having no trouble bandying the goals around so far.

Phil Parkinson was determined that this season’s team would not rely solely on the frontmen in the scoring department.

The fact that centre half Andrew Davies is joint second top-scorer right now with three shows that the message has sunk in.

You won’t get the strikers feeling a bit precious if other areas of the team are joining the goal trail. As far as James Hanson is concerned, it makes their own job easier.

Hanson has hit the ground running by scoring five already – a quarter of the way to his pre-season target of 20. But he appreciates the efforts from elsewhere to contribute.

He said: “Everyone is chipping in. Davies has got three, Kyle Reid’s scored a couple and Gary Jones got off the mark with that free-kick; it all helps.

People always know me for my headers but I’ve been working in training on different types of goals

James Hanson

“It’s good for the strikers because there’s not so much pressure on us. You’re not going into a game thinking that you’ve got to score or nobody will.

“We’re creating a lot more chances as a team now. Last season I was often only getting one a game but if you miss a chance now, the gaffer tells me to keep going because you know another will come along.”

Hanson’s own game has been impressive and that rising self-belief was summed up by his goal on the turn against Morecambe last week. It was a quality strike from a player bang in form.

He added: “I don’t often hit them like that but it’s nice to have the confidence to take it on.

“People always know me for my headers but I’ve been working in training on different types of goals.

“You don’t know what sort of chance you’re going to get and I’m trying to make sure I’m more of an all-round, complete centre forward. I’m looking to get a few more like that.”

Hanson was on the bench for the last round of the Capital One Cup at Watford and could be held back again tonight. But he is confident that City’s impressive record at the Coral Windows Stadium can claim another victim.

“We know we can perform at home,” added the big striker. “That’s something where the gaffer has made a massive difference.

“I’ve noticed it since he came in. Maybe we lost the first couple he was here but other than the Crawley game we’re unbeaten for a while now.

“It’s nice to get that sort of run and I think the crowd have played a big part as well.

“When we were 0-0 against Barnet at half-time last week, they could easily have booed us but they didn’t and the lads are starting to produce for them – we’re feeding off that.

“Hopefully we can carry it on against Burton and I don’t see why not. The home draw gives us a good chance.

“I was a bit disappointed (to be playing them) at first but then the lads were looking at the win bonuses and it would be great for the club’s finances if we can get through to a big draw. It would be nice to bring a good Premier League side here if we can.”