Parkinson's job safe, says Bradford City chief Lawn (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Phil Parkinson's job safe, says Bradford City chief Mark Lawn

7:00am Wednesday 4th April 2012 in Bantams By Simon Parker , Bradford City Reporter

Mark Lawn today urged fans to get behind manager Phil Parkinson in City’s hour of need.

Lawn insisted Parkinson had the backing of the board despite the worrying league position.

And he felt that making another change at the top at this present time would be a “foolish” move.

City go into Easter with a four-point advantage on the drop zone after collecting only one win and two draws from the nine games in March.

But Lawn is still confident that Parkinson can keep their heads above water.

He said: “We’ve got to stick with Phil, simple as that. Now’s not the time to start changing managers with only six games left.

Now’s not the time to start changing managers with only six games left

Mark Lawn

“If you look at Macclesfield, they’ve changed and so far there has not been a positive impact.

“Who would you get in who could change it so quick? You just can’t do that.

“Results have been disappointing. But if you look at the games, we are competing and we’re there or thereabouts.

“It’s been very close and we’ve just got to edge over that line. To change manager now would be foolish.”

Parkinson signed a two-year deal when he succeeded Peter Jackson in August. The City joint-chairman added: “I still think Phil is a commonsense manager and he works very hard.

“We all hope we’re in safe hands and we’ll get to that position where we are safe in the league.

“At this stage, he has a contract to fulfil through next season.”

Macclesfield, who visit Valley Parade on April 21, and Hereford sit in the relegation spots. Lawn admitted the sole objective for the final month of the season was to finish above them.

“We’re still four points ahead of the bottom two and that’s our league we’ve got to win. Finishing sixth or seventh bottom in that little league would be great but third means you’re safe.

“If we do the same as Hereford and Macclesfield, we stay up. If we do better, then we stay up.

“I am amazed it’s come to this but some of the decisions we have been getting are not the best.

“We can’t change that. We’ve had words with referees and we’re still getting those decisions.

“I’ve got to be quite honest, I thought Nahki (Wells) was in line at Plymouth and not offside.

“But we’re just going to have to work harder. I spoke to Phil about it and there’s no point moaning.

“I’m as worried as I was last year. We were in a similar position then so let’s hope we can dig in again and get a few results to get out of it.

“Some very wise managers have turned round and said there will be some twists and turns before the end of the season. That will happen in our little league of seven.”

Recent poor results have also hit season-ticket sales, with fans reluctant to buy for next term until they are certain that City will survive.

Lawn said: “I would be encouraged if we were selling more and it would help the cashflow. But I can see why people are hanging on and there hasn’t been a great uptake.

“But I don’t agree with it. I was a fan, I’ve been there and I’ve bought season tickets.

“In their position, I’d have got mine already.”