Bradford City striker Fagan says teams are starting to fear coming to Valley Parade again (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City striker Craig Fagan says teams are starting to fear coming to Valley Parade again

9:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Bantams By Simon Parker

Craig Fagan is enjoying his football again and, after racking up 20 starts for the Bantams, feels he has given his all for the club

Craig Fagan can sense a wind of change in the Valley Parade air.

City’s record on their own patch this season is nothing to write home about. They have lost as many as they’ve won.

But it is over two months since the last defeat against Rotherham – six games if you include the FA Cup victory over Wimbledon.

And while the last two ended with frustrating late equalisers, City are starting to give their army of season-ticket holders something to cheer.

Fagan has noticed a different feel within the home crowd and believes they can finally use the best base in the division to their own advantage.

He said: “The gaffer has changed a lot of things and the way we play. We’re a lot more resilient now, apart from the odd goal we’ve conceded in the past few games, and the fans are starting to enjoy it.

We’ve got the biggest following on a match day in League Two and there’s nothing worse than when they’re against you

Craig Fagan

“Clubs are finding it harder to come to our place and get results. Before, I felt it was too easy for them.

“The fans understand we are working hard and they can see that a lot more in games.

“There’s more of a buzz around the place and that comes from the lads on the pitch. You want to get the crowd going.

“Before, there was more of a negative vibe. People were going to the matches thinking ‘how many are we going to get beaten by today?’

“Some were turning up ready to have a go at the team. But now, because of the performances, the fans have been great and getting behind us.

“We’ve got the biggest following on a match day in League Two and there’s nothing worse than when they’re against you.

“You want them on your side and it’s been great to have that.

“I think teams are starting to fear coming to our place and it’s been a hell of a long time since the club has been able to say that.”

Not that the stand-in skipper is getting too carried away ahead of the daunting prospect of Crawley’s visit tomorrow.

With no win so far in 2012, City are still hovering too close to the relegation zone for comfort despite Phil Parkinson’s manager-of-the-month title for December.

Fagan added: “We need to kick on again. We went on that little run but we’ve had a few disappointing results since.

“We’re playing well enough but we need to start winning games again.”

Saturday’s loss at Bristol Rovers was Fagan’s 20th start for the club – a run which he is confident has removed any lingering concerns over his recovery from a year on the sidelines.

Fagan said: “You have one season out and then all of a sudden become this injury-prone person. But that’s not the case.

“I knew it was never going to be an overnight thing after missing so much. But I came here to play football, I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve given my all for the team.

“There have been times when I’ve played on a Saturday and could have said I didn’t fancy the Tuesday game but I’ve carried on. I’ve no doubts I’ve put myself on the line for the club and never shirked any responsibility.

“I’m just enjoying being here. You can sense there’s a better atmosphere round the place and it’s a lot more bubbly.”