McArdle raises hopes of Wembley appearance for Bradford City (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Rory McArdle raises hopes of Wembley appearance for Bradford City
8:10am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Capital One Cup Final – Bradford City v Swansea
By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter
Rory McArdle, right, joined his City team-mates for their pre-cup final media duties as he returned to training in a bid to prove his fitness for Wembley
Rory McArdle is confident of winning his fitness fight to make it to Wembley with City.
The Northern Ireland international returned to training yesterday for the first time since damaging his ankle at Fleetwood 18 days ago.
And the defender, who had played more football this season than anyone in the country before the injury, believes he can stand up to the challenge of the Capital One Cup final on Sunday.
Phil Parkinson insists the club will continue to monitor him carefully before making any rash decisions – but McArdle is feeling increasingly positive about his chances.
He said: “I joined in for the first time with the lads and it was a great feeling. I had no reaction and the session went really well.
“I’d been doing a bit of running on Thursday last week, just in straight lines at first. Then I worked with the physios on Saturday and Sunday with a bit more twisting.
“Everything was built towards yesterday and being able to join in. It felt like a long time since I’d been training but the lads have been brilliant in helping me.
“They have really encouraged me, asking how things were going and so on and telling me ‘you’ll get there’.”
McArdle’s mood has improved dramatically since the scan that suggested he had torn a ligament. A second opinion then backed up his view that the problem was nowhere near as bad.
He said: “I was walking fine so in my mind I thought I’d got a chance. That proved to be the case and I feel great now. It would have been devastating if the injury had been as bad as the scan said.
“The days can seem long when the boys are out training and I am in the treatment room, especially as the sun has been back out recently. I now have the opportunity to put myself back in the picture.
“When I trained, the first thing James Hanson said was ‘I’ll stand well away from you then!’ It was funny but we got straight back into it.”
McArdle’s recovery could leave five players fighting for the two central defensive spots against Swansea. Andrew Davies and Michael Nelson have partnered each other in the last two league games but cup regular Carl McHugh and Curtis Good are also in the equation.
The team do not travel south until Friday morning and Parkinson will not be rushed into a verdict on whether McArdle could feature.
The City boss said: “We won’t make any wild predictions that he’s fit or not. We’ll keep assessing Rory day by day.
“He’s trained one day but we’re pleased with the way he’s going. He’s progressing really well and we’ll see.
“Everybody’s in good spirits. It’s a long week with the extra day and we’ve just got to make sure we go into the game as organised as possible and as fit and as fresh as we can.
“When we get on that coach, that’s it. I don’t want to hear any more about tickets, family ringing about travel arrangements or press requests.
“It’s important when we are at the hotel that we get that time to focus on what we really want to do.”
Comments(26)
tyker2
says...
11:52am Wed 20 Feb 13
FANTASTIC GESTURE:AND WHAT ABOUT A MINUTE'S SILENCE FOR THE 56.
Bradford will pay tribute to the fans who lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire at Wembley by wearing specially-made tracksuit tops.
The tops will have the number 56 and the words 'Always With Us' embroidered on the front.
The Bantams will make history in Sunday's Capital One Cup showpiece against Barclays Premier League side Swansea by becoming the first club from the bottom tier to appear at Wembley in one of English football's major finals and will mark the occasion by remembering the 56 fans who died in the fire almost 28 years ago.
City supporters camped out overnight in the snow last week outside Valley Parade to snap up the last remaining tickets and almost 32,000 will converge on Wembley to celebrate as Phil Parkinson's npower League Two side bid to fulfill the impossible dream.
The club's incredible Capital One Cup journey began back in August with a surprise 1-0 win at Notts County in the first round and they trumped that later that same month with a 2-1 victory at Championship high-flyers Watford.
Bradford needed a last-minute goal to force extra time in the third round against Burton before defender Stephen Darby struck the winner and Premier League side Wigan were beaten 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the fourth round before Parkinson's side secured famous wins over Arsenal and Aston Villa, the latter in a two-legged semi-final.
Among the travelling army of Bradford supporters heading to Wembley on Sunday will be a 100-strong posse made up of City defender Carl McHugh's family members and friends, who will be making the journey from County Donegal.
McHugh, 20, who headed home a crucial third goal in the Bantams' 3-1 first-leg win over Villa at Valley Parade in January, said: "I've got 111 friends and family coming over, it's going to be a great occasion, we're all looking forward to it.
"I'm not flying them over, Jesus no! They're making their own way over. They gave me the money and I got tickets for them - I didn't pay for 111 tickets!"
Boss Parkinson, installed as Peter Jackson's replacement in August 2011, was given the sole remit of ending the club's six-year stint in the basement division. It did not include a Capital One Cup final appearance at Wembley.
The enormity of his side's feat is not lost on Parkinson and while he expects players, fans and staff to immerse themselves in the unique Wembley atmosphere, the 45-year-old former Colchester, Hull and Charlton manager still has promotion very much on his mind.
Parkinson said: "It's going to be a great occasion and we've got to make sure we savour every moment.
"The fans must remember they could be supporting their club all their lives and never have anything like this.
"We should all be privileged to be involved.
"Everybody needs to understand the position we are in and soak up the atmosphere."
Parkinson, whose side lie seven points adrift of the play-offs with 15 games left, added: "If you go back through history the clubs from the lower divisions who have had good runs in cup competitions find it has a detrimental affect on their league form.
"That has happened to us since the Arsenal game when our form has dipped.
"But I'm convinced about the ability of these players and even after Sunday we still have 15 big games left and we intend to have a real good go."
gspot01
says...
1:25pm Wed 20 Feb 13
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Seems a good idea to me!!
bettyswollocks
says...
1:40pm Wed 20 Feb 13
tyker2
says...
1:49pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Freddy
says...
2:57pm Wed 20 Feb 13
GREAT IDEA.------- ALL CITY SUPPORTERS TO BURST INTO APPLAUSE AT THE 56 MINUTE POINT-- DURING THE SECOND HALF. THE APPLAUSE TO LAST ONE MINUTE.
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Excellent idea from :-
gspot01 says...
1:25pm Wed 20 Feb 13
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Also I would like one of those Track Suits/Tops. Can the Commercial Dept. pull out all the stops to get much more made.???.
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gspot01
says...
3:17pm Wed 20 Feb 13
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I've put it out on twitter and will ask Dave Baldwin, Simon Parker and Pulse Sport to spread thew word.
lawsonio123
says...
3:25pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Cityman23
says...
3:46pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Sentiment plays a part in supporters' thinking but it does not win games. It ca however 'lose' games.
Most would say McArdle/McHugh 'deserve' their place in the starting eleven but that is not a given due to injuries etc. Rory McArdle will be desperate not to miss out on a starting place because he will know if his name isn't on the team sheet, he is unlikely to come on as a sub. Usually defenders aren't replaced unless they're injured.
Yet, 'PP' may wonder how fit Rory McArdle actually is-because he MUST be short of 'competitive fitness' whatever else.
There are other issues such as Reid or Hines etc.
This is where the burdon of responsibility REALLY falls on the mgr.'s shoulders. Some shewd decisions (as he has made in the past) will contribute towards giving The Bantams a 'better chance' of success, but one/two 'mistakes' could cost, particlarly if it is a defensve error.
To be honest, many would find this a 'pressure' and undoubtedly 10 different 'managers' or fans (pretending they were managers) would do things differently!!
It's not an exact science and the stakes are high. Yet 'PP' has so much goodwill in the minds of the true fans for what he's achieved in this 'cup run' that I don't think many would 'round on him' whoever he decides on.
For myself, I would pick eleven players who are (a least) all 100% fit or as near to as possible. The match will be a stern test and 'stamina' may prove part of what is needed.
Hoggy64
says...
4:28pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gspot01 wrote:Excellent idea gspot, lets try and get it announced on all the supporters coaches to Wembley.
How about we do our own minutes applause during the 56th minute???
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Seems a good idea to me!!
Also really pleased that the lads are paying tribute by wearing specially designed tracksuits.
Its going to be a very emotional day in many respects.
tyker2
says...
5:47pm Wed 20 Feb 13
bcfcincheshire
says...
6:35pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gspot01 wrote:Wonderful idea....in the year that the Liverpool families and supporters finally reveived their justice for the 96 it is a fiiting tribute to our own 56 families....the 2 young Ormondroyd boys from my own Gilstead Middle School died 6 years after I was last there....I will be thinking of them alongside all the others on Sunday and applaud warmly throughout the 56th minute. Think the T&A should suggest this officially in the paper alongside all other tributes and fundraising currently going on.
How about we do our own minutes applause during the 56th minute???
.
Seems a good idea to me!!
Cityman23
says...
6:54pm Wed 20 Feb 13
At one time 'applause' was not a British way of showing respect to people who died. A minute's silence was the way. Applause was used in other countries eg Italy (where 'silence' was used))
Silence involves everyody being very still/quiet for a minute which can be hard to achieve with large crowds and of course there is always the chance someone/other will 'break it' for whtever reason.
Applause has gradually come over to this country, perhaps partially because some people want to 'DO' something, rather than just stand still. Also, the noise 'covers up' those who may be 'doing something else!'
Speaking personally, I feel 'applause' is best suited to those who have died after living a reasonably full life, and applause is appropriate for what they did/what sort of a person they were.
Silence CAN be suited for any occasion, involving bereavement, but does suit BETTER, occasions when people have been 'cut down' at an early age or in the tragic circumstances where the person was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Therefore, I feel 'silence' is MORE appropriate when thinking of those people who died on 11/5/1985 at Valley Parade (as well as those who were severely injured.)
If it is thought appropriate that some mark of respect should be shown at the League Cup Final, I personally feel 'silence' (even during the game) would be more suitable from the City fans. Others may feel differently.
Cityman23
says...
6:56pm Wed 20 Feb 13
bcfcincheshire
says...
7:36pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Whoisevans?
says...
7:37pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gspot01 wrote:Even 4 minutes applause as that is the length of time it took for the devastation. Just minutes from half time.
How about we do our own minutes applause during the 56th minute???
.
Seems a good idea to me!!
Whoisevans?
says...
7:42pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gentlemanbob
says...
8:11pm Wed 20 Feb 13
We have to pick our strongest Team
I would pick eleven players who are all 100% fit or as near to as possible.
Hope he has a good hand with the subs.
It would be nice when a sub comes on that they make a difference and not just making up the numbers.
Yours
Gentlemanbob
Hund01
says...
10:38pm Wed 20 Feb 13
There is a time and place for everything, but on Sunday I'm going to concentrate on the game, have fun, no matter what the score.
If you really want to do something useful then donate some money to the Burns Unit.
Cityman23
says...
10:52pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Hund01 wrote:I think you've made a good point which seems to be 'Sunday is about a celebration' (and not about those who died in the fire). And that's not being disrespecful, more a sensible appreciation that to try to 'straddle' celebration/remembra
The only applause I will be giving will be to the players on the field.
There is a time and place for everything, but on Sunday I'm going to concentrate on the game, have fun, no matter what the score.
If you really want to do something useful then donate some money to the Burns Unit.
nce is impossible because they're two emotional 'opposites.'
As you say 'there's a time and place..'
The only reason I made 'my comments' above was in response to some people talking about a 'response' in the 56th minute of the match.
Every May we remember the '56' in various ways and THAT is probably the most appropriate time.
tingleyb
says...
10:57pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gentlemanbob wrote:quite right Gentleman Bob, only room for 11 fully fit players who will have to be in Swanseas faces from the off for the full 90/120 minutes. No room for half fit no matter what . . . including Davies/McArdle. My choice for centrehalf - nelson/mchugh with dickson at lb. pace on the bench if we need to chase the game. Please can we have dry weather?
Hi Gents
We have to pick our strongest Team
I would pick eleven players who are all 100% fit or as near to as possible.
Hope he has a good hand with the subs.
It would be nice when a sub comes on that they make a difference and not just making up the numbers.
Yours
Gentlemanbob
tyker2
says...
4:25am Thu 21 Feb 13
Hund01 wrote:the club are remembering the 56 by having their names printed on their training tops. Do you think this is appropriate then?
The only applause I will be giving will be to the players on the field.
There is a time and place for everything, but on Sunday I'm going to concentrate on the game, have fun, no matter what the score.
If you really want to do something useful then donate some money to the Burns Unit.
Michael Clayton
says...
9:59am Thu 21 Feb 13
Making an already emotional feel compelled into taking an action is the wrong way to go about things.
I think that the minutes' applause is an excellent idea for those who want to take part.
As for the minutes silence; keep it to the last home game of the season. That fixture should always remain special and is the ultimate mark of respect.
wja1966
says...
12:37pm Thu 21 Feb 13
In defence Id start with Darby RB, Davies and McHugh CB and Good LB (only because Meredith still isnt back). McArdle has to be on the bench since hes coming back from injury and maybe come on later in the game
Whoisevans?
says...
1:55pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Whoisevans?
says...
10:43pm Fri 22 Feb 13
tyker2 says...
11:37am Wed 20 Feb 13