Former Everton star Peter Beagrie believes the perfect Goodison Park pitch will help Bradford City earn three crucial points on Saturday.

The Bantams wide man has enjoyed a fine season with his tricky skills causing problems for Premiership defences.

Beagrie, who spent two spells at Goodison Park, knows City must win at Everton this weekend if they are to overhaul the six-point gap between them and fourth-bottom Wimbledon.

He said: "It is my favourite ground to visit and has a lovely, big surface which should suit us. We don't play with a big target man so that means we tend to play the ball on the ground.

"The reassuring thing for a player such as myself who likes to run at the opposition is the playing surface is superb and you do not have to worry about bobbles when attacking.

"When I played at Everton, we always used to call it the 'bowling green' and I am really looking forward to playing there

Continued this weekend. It will definitely help us."

Beagrie spent five season with the Toffeemen from 1989 before moving to Manchester City. He subsequently moved on to Valley Parade in 1997 only to finish that first season on loan at Everton.

Howard Kendall's departure as boss in the summer of 1998 meant Beagrie returned to City where he played a huge part in last season's promotion.

He said: "I went back to Goodison once with Manchester City and I got a good reception. The Evertonians demand 100 per cent from their players and if they can see you are giving just that, they really get behind you.

"They see it as no bigger honour for a player than pulling on the shirt.

"Most players see their hometown club as their main club but I always see Everton as being mine. It is not the same with Middlesbrough and after we have played, it is Everton's result I always look for first.

"When I joined Manchester City there was a big mailbag when I arrived at Maine Road. I presumed it was City fans wishing me all the best but they were all from Everton fans saying how disappointed they were that I was leaving. That meant a lot to me.

"This is a huge match and after last weekend we can't afford not to get something out of it.

"I was devastated after the Southampton match because I know what a bad result it was for us. usually I am the life and soul but I just went home straight after the match.

"We have left ourselves with a mountain to climb but we still have a lot of football to play."

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