Walsh aims to put the record straight

Last season the former Manchester United goalkeeper was part of the Bantams side which played the Baggies off the park in a fine performance only to suffer the ultimate sucker punch of a stoppage time equaliser.

Rob Steiner had given Paul Jewell's side the lead only for City to squander chance after chance before West Brom became the latest in a long line of sides to grab a very late equaliser against the Bantams.

City have had a disappointing start to the new season since spending £3.3 million on new players and Walsh says tomorrow's clash at the Hawthorns will be an important test.

He said: "Tomorrow's is a very, very big game for us. Particularly with it being live on television and all that comes with such a game. West Brom are a very good side but are not that good at the back.

"Having said that we have not been brilliant at the back either so it should be an entertaining game.

"Last year we absolutely battered them but could not finish them off and then they hit us with a 90th minute equaliser. We want to put that right and have to travel positive that we can play like we did last year.

"We have to be confident of getting a result."

City's defensive form has been a major area of concern this season with the side conceding 13 goals in their first seven league games.

The midweek 2-1 victory over Halifax in the Worthington Cup also illustrated the defensive frailties City are suffering from with Town's goal coming as a result of slack marking.

Walsh was in excellent form, pulling off a string of fine saves including a spectacular effort to deny Shaymen's player-manager Keiran O'Regan superb curling free kick just after the break.

The City keeper was voted player of the year last season and many more displays like Tuesday night will make him a major front runner again this time around.

However he knows the Bantams cannot afford being so generous to the opposition.

"The injuries keep changing the line-up which isn't helping us but we know we must do better.

"We just don't seem to be capable of keeping a clean sheet. We have kept just one - in the 1-0 win at Lincoln in the Worthington Cup.

"We have a lot of quality and there are a number of Premier League players like Gordon Watson and John McGinlay who can't get in the side at the moment.

"Lee Mills has also done it at the top level so we know we have the quality. Last year we struggled at times to get a goal but this season we always feel much more confident of getting a goal. I thought they played some great stuff."

Walsh admits to being surprised by the quality of the Halifax team in Tuesday night's game where the Shaymen gave City several worrying moments.

He knows it will not be easy in the return leg on Tuesday at Valley Parade but is confident City will be in the third round draw.

"Halifax can play good football but they also have the ability to revert to the high ball which makes it difficult.

"I think we had few chances ourselves. It was very difficult at Lincoln but we toughed it out and I thought we did the same at the Shay.

"We were looking to get three or four if we could have but Halifax were very good. They had a few shots and I thought it was a very good game.

"In the return I would love it to be 5-0. Funnily enough I don't think we will get that as they are a good side. I would love to keep a clean sheet as well.

"I was surprised how good Halifax were. They could hold their heads up high at full time despite losing 2-1."

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