Aaron Mclean today told his fellow City new boys: It’s time to deliver.
The Bantams are bidding to put their Valley Parade drought to bed against Crewe at the tenth time of asking.
Matty Dolan expects to be registered in time to join the fleet of fresh faces on duty in the bid for a first home win since September 28.
Mclean believes Phil Parkinson’s reassembled line-up have got to start reversing the slide which has seen City slip beneath mid-table by beating a Crewe side that have only won twice away.
He said: “It’s a massive game for us. With the run the club’s been on, we desperately need to win to lift the spirits.
“We’ve brought in a few new players and had a couple of games. We can’t keep saying we’re bedding in.
“It’s time to say ‘let’s get some points on the board and start moving back up the table’.
" If you win games, you gel quicker. Everyone’s confidence goes through the roof. Once that happens, you’re able to go out there and express yourself more.
“We need to show people that we’re here, we’ve got a good squad and we can win games. Hopefully it will go from there.”
Kyle Bennett is back from suspension and the strikers will also be looking to left winger Adam Reach, who has caught the eye in his two outings and smashed the bar against Wolves.
Mclean added: “Looking at the squad I’m confident we’ll do well. We’ve brought in some really good players and you see it’s getting better day by day in training.
“I’ve been really impressed with Reachy. He is the type of player who can really excite.
“I know what Benno’s all about. He’s a nice little footballer who can create things.
“The red card set him back a bit and he could do with more fitness as well. But when everyone’s up 100 per cent and firing, we’ve got a great chance.”
The former Hull hitman is looking for his first goal in his fourth City appearance.
He was subbed after half an hour at Wolves following Nathan Doyle’s early dismissal.
“You know you have to sacrifice a striker,” Mclean added. “It’s disappointing but I’ve been in that position before.
“I need minutes under my belt to get back to 100 per cent sharpness, so it set me back another week.
“But I’ve been working hard with the fitness coach (Nick Allamby) and he’s been putting a few things together to try and speed me up. It’s been a good week’s training in that respect.”
Mclean was twice foiled by Preston keeper Declan Rudd on his home debut 11 days ago but is convinced that the goals will soon start to flow.
He said: “I had a couple of chances against Preston and was disappointed with the one-on-one. I normally go across goal so when it came to me, I tried to do that and he saved it with his legs.
“Looking back I should have gone for the near post. He also made a good save from the header.
“If I keep getting in those positions then I’ll get there. It’s important I keep doing that and making the same runs.
“Once one goes in then hopefully a lot more will follow.
“Every striker wants to score goals. Yes, you have to bring other things to the team like work-rate but the main reason you’re there is to provide goals.”
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