MARK Yeates today delivered a play-off battle cry to City: “Forget Reading, we’ve got 11 cup finals to play.”
With their FA Cup hopes now gone, the Bantams are determined not to let the rest of a memorable season fizzle out.
They are locked in a fierce race for the top six with a host of clubs – Fleetwood are one of those in the pack and visit Valley Parade tomorrow.
After the crushing disappointment of the Madejski, other League One results again fell favourably for Phil Parkinson’s men as they head into the first of three home dates on the bounce.
City currently sit in 11th spot, four points off the final play-off place, but with at least one game in hand on everyone around them.
Yeates said: “It’s a big run-in now and every game will matter. We’ve still got a great chance of getting out of this league and the group have to believe that.
“We know what we have to do. There are 11 games left and they are all cup finals from now until the end of the season.
“We’ve got to approach every one with that mentality whatever side gets picked.
“You can be frustrated at times not starting games but we’re all going to be needed. Whether it’s from the bench or from the start, we’ve got to make sure we make an impact on the team.”
Yeates has a personal score to settle with the Cod Army after suffering a knee ligament strain from a bad tackle during City’s win there on Boxing Day.
That cost him his regular place after a run of 15 consecutive starts, his longest run in the team since joining the club in 2013. Since then his involvement has been mainly limited to substitute cameos.
Although City have not lost in the four games he’s started since the turn of the year, Yeates admits it has been a testing time.
He added: “It’s been frustrating since picking up the knock. After the way the first half of the season had gone, I had it in my mind that once I got back fit I’d go back in the side.
“It didn’t happen and you do find it tough because you want to be playing – especially with some of the big games when I’ve been on the bench.
“The squad is strong, though, and there’s good competition out there. But when I have started we’ve come away with some good results and I’ve managed to chip in with a few assists.
“Hopefully scoring against Coventry last week will help to kick-start me again because we’re at the business end of the season now.”
The Irishman’s emotion came through when he celebrated that equaliser at the Ricoh by kicking a hole in an advertising board in front of the away end.
He said: “I can’t really remember it. I’m a little bit embarrassed now but I didn’t realise what I’d done at the time.
“It was an important goal for myself and the club. I felt at the time we could have gone on and got a winner.
“It was just emotion and frustration but it won’t happen again. I’ll be a bit more subdued next time.
“But I’m an emotional lad and it was a nice moment to score. I’d rather do that than not celebrate at all – I think it just shows it means something to us.”
Fleetwood, like City, have won seven times on their travels but lost at home to Coventry in midweek.
Yeates added: “Fleetwood are another side pushing. They aren’t the biggest of clubs but they are a team doing well.
“They won at Sheffield United the other week so that shows what they are capable of.
“Everyone has been talking about the Reading game but this is just as big – and it’s the same from now on.
“It’s crazy how tight this league is but there will be a flat feeling around the place if we miss out.
“I know we have the ability within the group to make sure we’re in that top six at the end of the season.
“Some lads have been playing more than others this season but within that group, everyone is going to be called upon.
“We’re all going to play our part and that’s a good feeling to have.”
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