A MEXICAN wave heralded Valley Parade’s biggest triumph of the season.

March 2009 began with a bang as promotion-chasing City put five past Aldershot.

But ten days later, Stuart McCall was considering his future in the empty stand at Bournemouth.

A run of just three points from the nine games after blasting the Shots ground play-off hopes into the dirt.

The inquests were both personal – the club launched a “Save our Stuart” campaign to talk McCall into staying – and painful.

“We had the tape showing three goals that should have been given during that time,” recalled Wayne Jacobs this week. “I remember one at Morecambe and another at Dagenham, both from Thorney (Peter Thorne), that were clear goals.

“We missed the play-offs in the end by two points. Any one of those goals being given could have changed that.”

Eight years on and once again McCall heads into March spearheading a play-off drive. Once more City have been “there or thereabouts” all season.

Some fans fear that history could repeat itself.

But Jacobs, City’s assistant boss during that previous near-miss, can see only one similarity – the way McCall has got Mark Marshall playing at the top of his game.

“That’s no surprise to me because Stuart did the same with Omar Daley. He was incredible for us that year before getting injured.

“Stuart encourages an environment for players to be creative and you’re seeing that now with Marshall.

“But I don’t think you can compare the two situations.

“That was a second year for us. We were going for it.

“We’d had a year already when we’d slowly got used to the club and the players to us. This time, it’s been a massive bonus. Nobody predicted us being where we are.

“If we did miss out, you’d be left with that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach because we wouldn’t have got what we deserved for the effort and ability the players have shown.

“But emotions aside, it’s been an incredible season. We’ve changed players, we’ve transitioned the way we play, we’ve got a 20-goal striker in the building and possibly another one.

“We are in great shape and in good hands. We’ve got another transfer window in the summer when you’d imagine another couple of dealings and we’ll be in a great place.”

In his role as a local radio pundit, Jacobs has watched closely as City have outstripped pre-season suggestions that this campaign would be one of rebuilding in the wake of so much change.

Expectation levels have understandably shot up after so long in the top six. Jacobs is particularly impressed with the way McCall’s side have come from behind so often.

They did it twice against MK Dons on Tuesday even if the contest wasn’t the most entertaining.

“It was a bit scrappy but you can’t remember too many games like that,” added Jacobs. “The consistency of performance has been tremendous.

“A big buzzword around the world today is resilience and they’ve got it in abundance.

“You hear one or two little moans about ‘Stuart this and that’. But it’s because of his philosophy that they can go a goal behind in a game, still play the same way and come back.

“That happens because of how he is. He’ll respect what the opposition have got but will also say ‘we’re after you’.

“It’s attack, attack, attack and we believe in ourselves going forward. That’s what he’s put into the players.

“Stuart has always said he’d rather win 4-3 and outscore teams.

“He’s not just throwing caution to the wind and not bothering. But given the choice, he’s not going to have the team sat in their own half playing ugly and horrible and trying to nick things on the break.

“He wants possession of the ball, he wants the team to get forward and he wants players to be creative. It’s fantastic to see.”

It was at this stage eight years ago – with 11 games to go – that the wheels suddenly rolled off the bandwagon.

From Peterborough’s visit to Valley Parade this afternoon to the Sunday lunchtime dart to Rochdale on April 30, it promises to be a nervous and exciting finale. But Jacobs does not doubt the strength of character.

“One word I’d use for the football club this year is brave.

“People wondered if German investors should come to England and buy Bradford City. That’s a brave move.

“A lot said Stuart shouldn’t come back but he’s put his reputation on the line. Another brave move.

“Then the way he sets us up and how the lads perform week in, week out. That’s brave.

“You see Josh Cullen kicked from pillar to post at Bolton but he just gets up. He’s got such a big heart .

“That sums it up for me. Now we all have to stay with it and be brave.”