Thank Saunders for Natty role change – How Bantams new boy became a defender

His place in the club history books is assured as the first scorer in the Premier League.

But Bantams fans now have another reason to be thankful to the Welshman.

The eye-catching form of Nathaniel Knight-Percival has been one of the highlights of an opening week of the season that has promised more than it has delivered.

While teeth have been gnashed at the absence of goals at one end, Knight-Percival and Co have kept the door firmly shut at the other.

He is already looking a class addition at centre half – and that’s where Saunders deserves a nod of the cap.

Because it was his call at Wrexham, along with Brian Carey, to convert Knight-Percival to a defender from the left wing.

Knight-Percival had arrived in north Wales from Histon as an attack-minded player and maintained that during his first year with the club.

“When I moved to Wrexham it was with the intent to play as a midfielder,” he said.

“In the first season I probably played all positions across the front and midfield – anywhere apart from defence.

“But I played a few reserve games when I wasn’t in the team as much and was tried at centre back. It was just trying out something different.

“Then it led into pre-season and he (Saunders) asked me if I wanted to play there. He said ‘thought you’d be good’ so I gave it a go and ended up playing the rest of the time there.

“I suppose it was the start of another career for me in a way because it was such a change. I had to start thinking like a defender.”

Things clicked and a year on, after helping Wrexham to an unsuccessful promotion play-off, he was suddenly jumping three levels into the Championship with Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough.

“It was a big step up at the time and to play 30-odd games in the Championship was very enjoyable.

“I worked hard to get that opportunity but for the manager to play me so many times he had obviously seen something in me that he liked.

“It was a great experience putting yourself against some very good players. There were people who had come down from the Premier League like El Hadji Diouf and up-and-coming ones like Ross Barkley who was out on loan at the time.”

Knight-Percival made 56 appearances in his two years at Posh – never the easiest place to play as a defender.

With their traditional attacking philosophy, he featured in several high-scoring encounters including two 5-4s, a 6-0, a 5-0 and a 4-3!

“It’s quite an expansive style of football but that’s what they are after,” said Knight-Percival on the eve of his return to the Cambridgeshire club tomorrow afternoon.

“That’s how they like to play and we entertained the fans. I think we played well like that.

“It’s down to the manager there and how they decide to play. But obviously that’s got no bearing on what we’re trying to do.”

Given the absence of three centre halves as well as Stephen Darby, the back-to-back clean sheets have been a welcome start. Knight-Percival has struck up an instant understanding with unexpected defensive partner Romain Vincelot.

He said: “We’ve been solid so far. Obviously James Meredith and Tony McMahon are experienced playing there and that helps.

“It can be unsettling throwing players into the central area but I feel Romain and I have done all right.

“We’re both football players who know the game and you can pick it up as you go along, so to speak.”

City have been involved in the only two goalless draws of the new domestic campaign. Knight-Percival admits he has been as guilty as anyone for not breaking their duck –and missed a gilt-edged opening at Accrington on Tuesday.

But from the way the team have performed, he has no concerns on that front.

“I definitely should have had a goal the other night and probably could have had one against Port Vale as well.

“It is a team effort. The clean sheets aren’t just from the defence but from everyone and it’s the same when it comes to scoring goals.

“I think it’s a case of maybe once we get one, they will all start flooding in.”

“We’re confident of that.”