Flynn: We can mix it with the best (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Flynn: We can mix it with the best

7:20am Monday 30th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(13)

Michael Flynn will hurl himself into battle tomorrow night against the opposition he rates the best in the league.

City face Rochdale at Valley Parade with Flynn braced for the toughest home game of the season.

If you finish above Rochdale, you will be automatically promoted

Michael Flynn

The influential midfielder sees Dale as the promotion yardstick – and is convinced that the Bantams have what it takes to match them. Flynn said: “If you finish above Rochdale, you will be automatically promoted.

“They are the benchmark from what I’ve seen so far. Bournemouth might be a bit more solid and physical and grind out results but Rochdale have got a really decent team.

“Although we beat them at their place in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, I was very impressed. I thought they would be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

“They’ve been together as a team for a long while and have good players who work well as a unit.

“Our gaffer has put together a team on probably a similar budget to Rochdale but they have obviously been together a lot longer.”

Last week’s 3-0 cruise at Grimsby – their first win in four games – has boosted City as they prepare for a key period of the season.

After Rochdale, they face rock-bottom Darlington before returning to Valley Parade for a Yorkshire derby with Rotherham.

Flynn added: “If we can come away from the next two games with two wins it will set us right up for the Christmas period.

“I think that maybe by February you will have a realistic idea of what we are challenging for. By that stage you’ll know if we are pushing for the top three or the play-offs. But there’s no doubt in my mind that we will be up there.”

City currently sit tenth, two points adrift of Notts County in the final play-off spot. The free-spending Magpies were expected to run away with the division but it has not happened so far.

Flynn said: “There’s something wrong if Notts County don’t go up this season with the players and budget they’ve got. There are already rumours that if they aren’t performing come January, they will all be replaced.

“But the Notts County situation comes with its own pressure like Man City. You can’t just throw a new team together.

“With everyone fit, our squad is definitely up there with the top three or four in this league.

“We’ve got Steven O’Leary coming back and I know he’s good footballer from playing against him. Peter Thorne will kill teams off again because that’s what he’s done throughout his career.

“And I’m really looking forward to seeing Omar Daley at last. I’ve chased him back enough in the past.

“Getting everybody back would also put pressure on the boys in the starting 11. Nobody will be caught flat-footed because they know that others are waiting for the chance.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(13)