CONTINUING our City Favourites series with part two of the FILIPE MORAIS interview.

FAVOURITE GAME

“It’s really hard to choose between the Sunderland and Reading FA Cup ties at home because of the atmosphere. I’d never experienced anything like that anywhere.

“I’ll probably have to go for Sunderland just because the Reading game was tarnished a bit for me with the replay and getting the red card.

“Going into that second game, we all felt how out of order it was with the fixture schedule put upon us.

“Sunderland were a Premier League club but we felt so strong and powerful that there was no doubt that we could get a result – especially with that noise at Valley Parade.

“Getting promoted with Bolton was big but nothing compares to Bradford at that time.

“When we were at it you couldn’t tell the difference between us and a team two divisions higher. We weren’t even thinking that they were in the ‘Prem’.

“We were very good at the way we played. We played with such a high intensity, especially at home, that it was hard for clubs.

“I talk about it a lot on the radio but having those fans is such a positive. Would you rather play in front of 2,000 or 20,000?

“But if you don’t produce, obviously they are going to tell you about it.

When we were at it you couldn’t tell the difference between us and a team two divisions higher

“All week building up to Sunderland, the training was such a high level. Everyone wanted to be part of it.

“I remember walking out for that game and just seeing this sea of scarves.

“That makes a real impact on a player. I just felt so proud to play for this club – this is what I had dreamed of in my career and I needed no more motivation.

“I also loved the pitch at that time because I knew the opposition hated it.

“I trained my mind to think it was great and with the environment we were in with the crowd, it wasn’t an issue.

“If the ball bobbled or bounced funny, just get on with it. We never dwelt on it.

“Maybe if we’d had a few big-time Charlies, there might have been moans and groans but we didn’t have that in the dressing room.

“Sunderland had been unhappy about it all week and you could see it 100 per cent with their lads.

“I was up against (Patrick) van Aanholt who had come from Chelsea and I knew he wasn’t going to fancy it. I was going to be all over the guy like a rash.

“We played the way we did for a reason. The pitch wasn’t there for you to pop it about.

“We had assets like (James) Hanson and Steady (Jon Stead), where we could go long and then we were unbelievable at getting that second ball. Then we would get it wide and get crosses in the box.

“I never had one per cent of doubt we would lose to them. We were so confident and the place was just so loud.

“The only time I’ve heard Valley Parade louder was Billy Knott’s goal against Leeds when I was sat on the bench. I was virtually on the pitch cheering.

“I was about to come on and then Billy scored and the gaffer just pushed me back down!”

FAVOURITE TEAMMATES

“Darbs (Stephen Darby) was my best mate there and I was close to Hans (James Hanson) and Chris Routis.

“It was a bit like me under Stuart McCall with Chris and Phil Parkinson. He didn’t really play.

“But every day he was brilliant in training. If we did hard runs, he’d be at the front and that’s the recipe for success.

“Chris was very similar to me when he came in on trial. He was like, ‘wow, I’ve arrived’ and couldn’t believe it was a Third Division club.

“Coming from abroad, you got a man and his dog watching that level. The difference was insane.

“Chris was brilliant in the group. You’d have a night out and usually the foreign boys wouldn’t go along but he was always there.

“He’s a really smart guy and his English came on well. The gaffer loved him even if he didn’t play that much.

Coming from abroad, you got a man and his dog watching that level. The difference was insane

“We were winning games and he’d always bring Chris on and now and again he’d get a start.

“Maybe it was down to the pitch that he didn’t play as much. (Gary) Liddle wouldn’t take a risk and knock it round the corner.

“Chris would always try to play the right way and maybe try it in the wrong area. But he was so tight with the squad.

“When we won the Chelsea game, we literally sang the whole way home on the coach.

“Darbs was leading it. He’s so serious on the pitch but off it, he was the one that was first there and last out.

“He was known between the lads for his singing and had a pretty good voice. He knew every karaoke song and was always up there – and he also loved a football chant!”