Taylor: Home win would be heaven-sent (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Taylor: Home win would be heaven-sent

7:10am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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Peter Taylor wants City to treat the home fans tomorrow before enjoying the “heaven” of a blank week.

Aldershot’s visit is only the second game at Valley Parade since Taylor took charge.

After five away trips in his first three weeks, the Bantams boss is hoping his players will enjoy their home comforts.

And with no midweek match to come, there is the carrot of a bonus day off to recharge the batteries.

A lot of clubs round the country would have found it tough if they’d had as many games as us lately

Peter Taylor

Taylor said: “It’s been hard for the players to have five of the last six matches away. Having three on the spin takes it out of you.

“Not having a game next week will be heaven. The boys may need an extra day off as well because they’ve had a lot of football.

“A lot of clubs round the country would have found it tough if they’d had as many games as us lately.”

Taylor is ready to freshen it up after Tuesday’s loss at Port Vale. He had stuck with the same side that beat Rotherham but there were clear signs of a heavy legs.

Taylor added: “It’s something I’m thinking about. I don’t think it was a good performance and some of that was down to fitness.”

City’s win over Darlington a fortnight ago was their first in nine attempts at Valley Parade stretching back to October. With seven home games left, Taylor believes there is time to straighten that record out.

“Being realistic about it, this season has been a very frustrating one for everybody connected with the club; the players, the supporters, the management and the board.

“We’re desperate to try to show people we are slowly improving. We are looking forward to playing at home again and hopefully we can put in a good performance.

“You’re never ever going to change things straight away and become a great team overnight but I’m quite pleased with the progress that is being made. "We’ve had three wins in the six matches I’ve been here. If we keep that going for the rest of the season and win half of the matches, then I’ll be quite pleased with that – and if we can get some wins at home it would be even better.

“The players showed last time that they weren’t afraid to play at home. They didn’t play with any fear and that’s the most important thing.”

Peter Thorne has suffered another injury setback after complaining of a sore knee. City are waiting for the results of a scan.

The Bantams face Alder-shot for the second time in 11 days. The Shots won 1-0 at the Recreation Ground and Taylor predicts another tight tussle.

“Aldershot have been to-gether a long time and the manager has gone in there and done well,” he said.

“We had a very close encounter down there and I expect another one tomorrow. But we are at home and I’m looking for us to carry on improving.”

Shots boss Kevin Dillon felt the win over City was the most complete performance of his four months in the hot-seat.

Four days later, the same side delivered the worst against Burton. Having hit the fringes of the play-offs by beating Chesterfield and the Bantams, Aldershot blew up at home to the league new boys.

Dillon’s response was to drag his players in for extra training ahead of their trek north.

He said: “The players are getting it too easy. We prepare correctly, with hotel stays and the like, but the players are so inconsistent.”

Taylor will have noted with interest that both Burton goals came from corners, City’s new forte.

Dillon, a no-nonsense player in his time, is also expecting a lot better from his midfield after they got “bullied” last week.

“We have some good footballers but they think a tackle is something you use for fishing,” he said.

Dillon has signed two free agents to cover gaps in goal and at left back.

Jamie Young, who played under Taylor for Wycombe last season, comes in as back-up to Venezuelan goal-keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz after on-loan Stephen Henderson returned to Bristol City. And former Lincoln defender Aaron Brown has joined to rep-lace injured Andy Sandell.