McArdle happy for Wells to take credit for Bradford City goal (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rory McArdle happy for Nahki Wells to take credit for Bradford City goal

6:10am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Bantams By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Rory McArdle may revert to centre half tonight

Rory McArdle won’t be fighting Nahki Wells over City’s second goal at Oxford.

The defender’s near-post flick from a corner looked to be going in but Wells made sure in front of the line.

But McArdle was happy to let the striker take the credit.

He said: “I wasn’t sure if it was going wide or the lad on the back post might have hooked it out.

“As long as he makes sure it goes in, I’m not too fussed. It would have been nice if it was mine but it wasn’t.

“I like that little run and you know Gaz (Gary Jones) is going to put a good delivery into that area. There was quite a bit of space.

“Credit to Nahki for being in the right position. Anyone else might have been a bit dozy but he was bright and that’s a strong part of his game.

“As a striker, he needs confidence from goals. As long as they are scoring and we’re keeping them out at the back, then everyone’s happy.”

City’s defence can expect a stiff test against free-scoring Burton in the Capital One Cup tonight. It may not the big-name tie everyone had hoped for but McArdle is eyeing further progress.

“Everyone knows all the Premier League big boys are put in this round and we all wanted a massive draw,” he said.

“We got Burton at home instead but in hindsight it’s a good opportunity to go through again. And if the big four or five are still in there, that narrows it down to get one of them.”

With Luke Oliver a doubt, McArdle could return to centre half tonight after his stint at right back – but he admits to warming to his new role.

He said: “It was a bit weird at first but you soon find your feet. You get a bit more of the ball, which is quite enjoyable.

“From a defensive point of view, if we’re away from home it suits us a bit better.

“I’m the first to admit when we do get so far up the pitch I tend to get a little bit lost. It’s not really my game to overlap.

“But I know I’ve got the players in front of me who can go and exploit those spaces, whether it’s Zav (Hines), Will (Atkinson) or Reidy (Kyel Reid). That makes my job a hell of a lot easier.”