Bradford City: Parkinson welcomes Nelson aboard (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford City back four bolstered by League Cup winner from Kilmarnock
7:50am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Bantams
By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter
Kyel Reid’s 25-yard drive flies straight through the grasp of Crewe keeper Alan Martin as City take an 18th-minute lead at Gresty Road
Phil Parkinson is backing latest capture Michael Nelson to bring an experienced head to City’s back four.
The 32-year-old centre half has joined for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £30,000, from Kilmarnock on an 18-month deal.
Nelson helped Killy lift the Scottish League Cup last season when they beat Celtic and has also won promotions with Hartlepool and Norwich.
Parkinson believes his know-how will be a key asset for the run-in, especially with Andrew Davies still at least a month away from returning.
He said: “Michael knows his way round the football pitch. He’s a strong player who wins headers and gets his blocks in and that’s what we are going to need.
“We’ve patched it together at the back and put a massive reliance on some young players. But in my heart of hearts I didn’t think that could see us through to the end of the season and we’re going to need a strong finish.
“Rory McArdle has played a lot of games and we were concerned that if he needed a break at some point, we needed an experienced head. Michael will provide that.”
City’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy campaign ended with a 4-1 defeat at freezing Crewe last night in the northern area semi-finals.
Two late goals gave the result a flattering look and Parkinson was happy with the way his makeshift side performed.
“We came up against a really good team with a completely changed line-up and took them all the way. The scoreline was an unfair reflection of the game after we went for it.
“I thought the two young lads at centre back (Curtis Good and Tom Naylor) were magnificent against a side who give you problems and on a very difficult surface.
“If we’re honest, that game probably shouldn’t have been played. Steve (Davis, Crewe manager) and I both wanted it on but it was touch and go.
“I asked the ref before the game if he’d looked at the pitch and he said he went in the afternoon when it was nice and soft. I told him he’d obviously not been out there in the last hour because it was bone hard.
“It was as difficult a surface as I can remember but I think the lads coped well. There was some good stuff.”
City, who went in front through Kyel Reid, could face a fine for not fielding six starters from their last game.
Parkinson made eight changes but said: “You can’t play players who are carrying injuries just to fulfil the criteria. We played the best team that was available to us.
“Gary Jones was probably the only player we rested. We just felt at 35 he could do with the break.”
Comments(20)
tyker2
says...
8:17am Wed 16 Jan 13
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
9:30am Wed 16 Jan 13
theviking62
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11:38am Wed 16 Jan 13
ALEXIMO.56.
says...
12:11pm Wed 16 Jan 13
theviking62 wrote:Then you need to send Parky an e,mail and tell him about this player. Parky doesn't read the comments on this page m8.
Francesco Stella, 21 year old, midfielder, Aussie, has left Rangers looking for another club, also played for Sienna in Italy. Could be worth a look. According to what I have read he is a good player. McCoist, wanted to keep him, must say something.
prince35
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12:38pm Wed 16 Jan 13
ALEXIMO.56. wrote:Good idea aleximo , why not do some scouting :)
theviking62 wrote:Then you need to send Parky an e,mail and tell him about this player. Parky doesn't read the comments on this page m8.
Francesco Stella, 21 year old, midfielder, Aussie, has left Rangers looking for another club, also played for Sienna in Italy. Could be worth a look. According to what I have read he is a good player. McCoist, wanted to keep him, must say something.
Waynus1971
says...
2:56pm Wed 16 Jan 13
If so, maybe the Gods are finally smiling down on us? We are in dodgy league form, against the league leaders, a 2nd leg Semi-final looming and the Villa have a big Midlands derby against WBA on Saturday.
A postponement would be fantastic for us. Fingers (no, everything) crossed....!
balbrigganfc
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3:17pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Waynus1971
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3:22pm Wed 16 Jan 13
balbrigganfc wrote:Oviously it wouldn't have come as a surprise to you would it? No, hang on a minute, didn't you post, "Predicting City to come away with a sensational result".
I am gutted for the players who put in a massive effort, and will miss not going to the twin towers for the final.
You really are a fricking crack-pot fella..!
Citygentleman1968
says...
3:30pm Wed 16 Jan 13
5 games prior to Arsenal game (in all competitions) W3 D2 L0
6 games after Arsenal game
W1 D2 L3
2 games after Aston Villa 1st leg
W0 D0 L2
My point is, role on 2nd leg, when our season can get back to normality and we can get back to league priorities.
Whether we get to Wembley or not, it's vital we focus on league status regardless of result against Villa.
Prisoner Cell Block A
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4:25pm Wed 16 Jan 13
nowt fresh
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4:40pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Waynus1971 wrote:Yes it would be a good time to have a league game postponed, obviously everyone wants to get to Wembley but would it have an effect on our league form as I'm sure the two big games against Arsenal and Villa have had ?.
I note Vale Park is currently frozen and their youth game postponed last night. With temperatures not expected to rise in the coming days and the more likelihood of temperatures plunging further, is it doubtful this weekend's game with be called off? If so, maybe the Gods are finally smiling down on us? We are in dodgy league form, against the league leaders, a 2nd leg Semi-final looming and the Villa have a big Midlands derby against WBA on Saturday. A postponement would be fantastic for us. Fingers (no, everything) crossed....!
bcfc1903
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6:34pm Wed 16 Jan 13
**
We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!.
Baildonian
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7:25pm Wed 16 Jan 13
By the way didn't the "Twin Towers" come down years ago?
Victor Clayton
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8:32pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Baildonian wrote:me too
Disagree with the comments about getting the Villa game out of the way and concentrating on t'league. I'd rather have a League Cup final if it meant leaving promotion for another year. League 2 - League 1 is not going to live as long in the memory as a trip to Wembley in a national final.
By the way didn't the "Twin Towers" come down years ago?
Whoisevans?
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8:39pm Wed 16 Jan 13
bcfc1903
says...
8:50pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Baildonian wrote:Yeah...totally agree, if BCFC could get a result in the second leg against Villa...a chance for my club to play in a major domestic cup final would be the highlight of my 50 years supporting Bradford City FC.
Disagree with the comments about getting the Villa game out of the way and concentrating on t'league. I'd rather have a League Cup final if it meant leaving promotion for another year. League 2 - League 1 is not going to live as long in the memory as a trip to Wembley in a national final.
By the way didn't the "Twin Towers" come down years ago?
**
The two towers of Wembley unfortunately have now gone.
**
We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!
tyker2
says...
8:06am Thu 17 Jan 13
Scargutt2
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10:24am Thu 17 Jan 13
tyker2
says...
11:40am Thu 17 Jan 13
Scargutt2 wrote:agree: playing against the likes of Celtic and Rangers and then having to go to the likes of Wimbledon and Plymouth (no disrespect to either) must be a very difficult ask!!
Let's hope he can make the step up from the scottish premier league to the 4th division.
MrsAngryofRidd says...
8:14am Wed 16 Jan 13
Lets hope for a good result next Tuesday, then get everyone rested and fit and push on for that automatic promotion.