Bradford Park Avenue have a great opportunity to appease their supporters tonight when Conference neighbours Halifax Town visit Horsfall Stadium in the quarter-finals of the West Riding County Cup.
The Avenue fans were unhappy and some showed the level of their frustrations at the final whistle on Saturday after the side had slipped to another home defeat in the UniBond Premier Division.
Manager Trevor Storton attempted to speak to a small group after the game but was shouted down. He is expecting a better performance against Halifax but has only a skeleton squad because of ineligibility.
It could be a crucial cup tie because his opposite number, former Bradford City man Chris Wilder, is also feeling the heat. Halifax were booed off at The Shay on Saturday after their exit from the FA Trophy to Ryman League side Maidenhead. Both managers will want to win the game but both squads of players will be short on confidence. Town's men will also be drained after playing four games in six days - they were taken to extra time in their twice-postponed Trophy third-round tie with Staines last Thursday before facing Maidenhead two days later in the fourth round.
"I don't expect them to send the full first team after the schedule they have had," said Bradford boss Storton.
"I think it will be a mixed side with a few reserves being thrown in. But that won't stop them wanting to win it and give their players and supporters a boost.
"As always it is what we do that concerns me, some of the players have to take a long look at themselves after Saturday. We trained well on Monday but I don't think the defeat can be out of their system until they are back on the pitch.
"It will be good to get away from the pressure of the Premier Division and it would be nice to get a win. Overall it will be a good work out for us and I hope Andy Hayward and Jason Maxwell get back among the goals."
Skipper Carl Serrant is back after missing the weekend game but four of his starters from Saturday join injured centre back James Stansfield on the sidelines.
Dean Jones and Wayne Bullimore are ineligible while defender Ryan Crossley is unavailable and keeper Matt Boswell is also ruled out through work commitments.
James Alderson comes in as the last line of defence and he is joined by four young players from the reserves.
Bradford Park Avenue (from); Alderson, Quinn, Naylor, Serrant, Wright, Helliwell, D Walsh, Smith, Grayston, Hayward, Maxwell, Russell, Pickles, A Walsh, James.
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