Rodney Marsh hopes Bradford City will hang on to their Premiership status tomorrow - even though it means he'll be in for the chop!

On the eve of the Bantams' crucial clash with Liverpool at Valley Parade, the controversial Sky TV pundit confirmed he will come to Bradford next week and have his head shaved on the pitch if they escape the drop.

"I promised I would do it if City stay up," he said. "I'm a man of my word."

City go into their final game of the season needing to haul themselves above relegation rivals Wimbledon who visit Southampton. The Dons currently head City on goal difference.

But Marsh, who agreed to having his head shaved after widespread criticism from Bantams fans after he predicted early in the season that they would be relegated, admits to being full of admiration for Paul Jewell's side.

The man whose sharp comments inspired the 'Are You Watching Rodney Marsh?' chant from fans, said: "City have done the equivalent of swimming the Channel underwater to have got themselves in with a chance," he said.

"It will be desperately tight tomorrow, but I hope they win."

Jewell has been busily rousing his troops for one last big effort. He said: "It has been a long week but we are all looking forward to it. It means everything to us and we have worked so hard to get here that we want another taste of the Premiership.

"It is by far the biggest game I have ever been involved in. Last year at Wolves was massive but if we had lost that we would have had the safety net of the play-offs.

"There is no second chance tomorrow."

Meanwhile City skipper Stuart McCall believes City will have to be flexible tomorrow and react to the fluctuating relegation situation.

He said: "Things can change during a game and we have to be able to react to anything happening. I am sure the gaffer and all the players know it will be a time for quick decisions."

McCall added: "Of course, our priority has to be to beat Liverpool and we must focus everything on that.

"It would be ideal if we can get our noses in front and Southampton do likewise at the same time."

McCall is determined to help his beloved City escape from relegation.

He said: "It will be a time for cool heads but we are all experienced enough to handle such a big occasion. I am not saying too many of us have been in relegation battles, but we have been through similar experiences at the top of the table."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.