NOTTS County boss Shaun Derry reckons the Valley Parade pitch could turn out to be City’s secret weapon.

The Magpies chief added his voice to the growing criticism of the state of the playing surface, which cut up badly during Sunday’s game.

Derry said: “I thought the pitch was absolutely awful. It’s going to cause difficulties for whoever comes to play against Bradford.

“You can’t get your foot on the ball so it’s 100 miles per hour. You have to play a certain way and Bradford played the conditions better than us.”

City’s win over Notts County was their fourth at home in the league as the results on their own patch continue to pick up.

Phil Parkinson admitted: “It’s difficult but I thought we passed the ball well. We’re used to this pitch and other teams aren’t.”

Midfielder Mark Yeates, who sat out the 1-0 win with a knee problem, said: “I don’t think people realise how difficult the pitch is – I haven’t played on one like that in a long time.

“It’s something that we’ll have to get used to because it’s not going to get any better. But the boys all feel good.”