Jason Kennedy has promised City fans his winning goal is only the beginning.
The midfielder put a slow start to his Valley Parade career behind him by converting the late clincher at MK Dons.
Saturday’s 3-2 victory – City’s first in eight games – lifted them back into the play-off zone.
Kennedy’s first goal for the club also backed up Phil Parkinson’s call to bring him in for central midfield regular Nathan Doyle.
Kennedy said: “I think that goal’s done me the world of good. I’ve been in and out the squad and when you get the opportunity, you’ve got to take it.
“Supporters have only seen glimpses of me so far. Hopefully they’ll learn what I’m about as a player. I want to kick on from here and get more goals and produce more performances to help Bradford get the points we need.”
It was only Kennedy’s second start in League One as Parkinson stuck with the Gary Jones and Doyle axis that was behind last season’s promotion.
Parkinson said: “We’ve gone with more or less the same lads through this run and we felt it was time to freshen it up a little bit. We took the decision to give Jason the opportunity over Nathan and he certainly took it.”
Kennedy admitted he was under pressure to impress but added: “Doyley was the first person to come over and wish me luck when he knew I was playing.
“It means an awful lot when a fellow midfielder is wishing you well. But there’s a great spirit among the lads. Doyley and Jonah are great players and I needed to show what I can do.
“I’d like to have played more games but I still feel a big part of it. I train every day with the lads and they know that I’m involved in the squad.
“The lads were buzzing about the results afterwards and they were really pleased for me.”
City had already led twice through Nahki Wells, who pounced for his 13th goal of the season, and then a Kyel Reid cross that drifted into the top corner.
And they found another gear to score again late on, Kennedy converting James Meredith’s cross after the left back ran the length of the field.
Kennedy said: “Yeatesy (Mark Yeates) came on and gave us a new lease of life. But we know there’s that determination and spirit in the team to keep going to the end.
“I just saw Mezza on the ball and the space in between the defence and the goalkeeper. I thought if I could get in there and anything came in then there’d be a great chance to score and that’s exactly what happened.
“The lads were tremendous and everyone put in a shift. It was a big relief to get another win at last.
“That sets us up for the Notts County home game tomorrow. It’s a result we can gain confidence from and hopefully be the start of a little run.”
Parkinson added: “Goals from midfield are so important but it’s more than that. The determination to get in there so late in the game was fantastic.
“MK Dons is a really tough place to go and we’ll enjoy this win. It was important and now we can look forward to the next challenge.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel