City have been told to forget any past ill-feeling when they face Rotherham in tonight’s critical Yorkshire derby.
Phil Parkinson insists the focus is on continuing their League Two play-off push – not trying to put one over Millers boss Steve Evans after what went on when he last visited Valley Parade.
The Bantams boss said: “We’ve got ourselves in a really good position and now we’ve got to drive on; make this really good season into a great season.
“There’s so much focus on what’s going to be out on the pitch. I think it would be a shame if anything detracted from that.
“I don’t even want to mention the opposition manager. It’s Bradford City v Rotherham in a Yorkshire derby between two teams in the top seven – what a game.
“I don’t think you need to look at what’s gone on in the past. It’s what is in the future that matters.”
Parkinson will give late tests to Andrew Davies and Kyel Reid. Davies, one of those sent off in the brawl that exploded against Evans’ Crawley last season, felt a spasm in his back warming up for the Chesterfield game, while winger Reid went off at half-time with a tight groin.
Parkinson said: “Davo’s not a major one and at this stage of the season maybe a lot of players are carrying knocks and have got to get on with it. But Andrew has to be absolutely spot on to play.
“Kyel’s similar but if this game comes too soon for him then he won’t be too far away for Saturday.”
City were spanked 4-0 at the New York Stadium in September but Parkinson does not see that result having any influence on the Valley Parade showdown.
He said: “They had three shots in the first half and scored three goals. It was a bit like Sunderland and Newcastle the other day – everything they hit went in the back of the net.
“Over the course of the season, you get games like that where the scoreline doesn’t reflect the pattern of the game. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.
“This is a game to relish and as much as we ask the players to give everything, we need the supporters to do the same. They must applaud every bit of positive play and get right behind the team.
“We’ve had some great atmospheres throughout the season and the intensity is probably back with the support in the league games. The lads are thriving on it.”
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