Paul Merson is delighted to see Bryan Robson back in the game but cursing his timing.

Merson was instrumental in steering Middlesbrough under Robson to Premiership promotion in 1998.

Tomorrow they lock horns at the Bescot Stadium when City face Merson's Walsall.

And Merson fears the worst against his old boss.

He said: "I wish he hadn't got the job until after tomorrow. Robbo will instantly improve Bradford because his presence instils confidence.

"I really enjoyed playing under him. He's a real players' manager because the way he did things was always from a player's viewpoint and he loved his team to express themselves out on the pitch."

Robson enjoyed a dream start against Millwall and wants more of the same against a side City drew with a month ago. That result spelled the end of Nicky Law's reign.

But Robson knows City must stop Merson, who is still pulling the strings five years on from their spell together at the Riverside.

Robson said: "I'm not surprised to see him still playing so well. Paul was one of the major reasons Middlesbrough got promoted into the Premiership when we had him there.

"He's got loads of class, can score as well as create goals and he can be a real threat on his day. We know that we have to tie him down if we want to get something out of it tomorrow."

Merson added: "Robbo was out of football for too long and all because people have short memories. He completely transformed Middles-brough but because the last couple of years weren't as successful as he might have liked, then people think he failed.

"What they forget is that Robson was one of the best players England ever produced and we really do need those type of players to be involved in the game."

Having brought in Gareth Farrelly, Robson is still hunting in the loan market. But his trip to Dubai has made progress difficult.

He said: "People will be coming out with all types of players but with me being quite busy and out of the country, it's been hard. But that's something I intend to look at because I just feel the squad needs improving slightly.

"It's been a bit tiring for me trying to look at how I want to prepare the team while flying off to different places. But I had no worries leaving them in the capable hands of Colin Todd.

"It all fell into place quite nicely in the first week. There was a bit of a buzz with us coming in and then to get our first win for 13 games was a big boost for the players.

"If we can put in another hard-working performance, then Walsall is a game we can get something from."