MICHAEL Flynn has never been backward at coming forward with an opinion or two.

And listening to the Welshman, you are left in no doubt that City can still make it into the play-offs.

Flynn is convinced another strong finish like 2013 will bridge the gap to the top six and get his old club over the line. Phil Parkinson’s “main man” is the reason for his confidence.

“Six points with six games to go is nothing,” he said. “If they win today and teams around lose then everything changes just like that.

“I really do think Bradford will get in there. Look at what happened two years ago – with ten games left they weren’t even in it.

“They went on an unbelievable run from that stage and a lot of that was down to Nick Allamby. They were fitter than the other teams.

“When Phil started, he was fortunate enough to get Andrew Davies into the club and he has been a key player.

“But he wasn’t Phil’s best signing. For me, keeping Nick at the club full time was the big one. He’s been absolutely crucial in what they have achieved, especially at this stage of the season.

“He plans the intensity of the training sessions and that allows Phil and Steve (Parkin) to concentrate on the football. They have a great relationship between the three of them and I can’t speak highly enough of what’s been done.

“Take nothing away from the players but Nick has been the main signing. That fitness is why I think they will get to the play-offs again.”

It is nearly three years since Flynn left Valley Parade and returned to his native South Wales. The blow of missing out on City’s double Wembley visit the following season was softened by helping his home-town club Newport return to the Football League.

Newport’s renaissance was spearheaded by Justin Edinburgh, who ended a three-and-a-half year spell in the hot-seat in February when he took over at Gillingham, City’s opponents this afternoon.

“The club is chalk and cheese from when he got here,” Flynn added. “He was always looking at the bigger picture.

“I’ve always thought he would move on because Justin is really ambitious. He needed something bigger and Gillingham is closer to home – I know that living away from the family is never simple.

“He is driven and believes in himself but that self-confidence is not arrogance. He’ll be confident of getting Gillingham going again.

“It’s a big club as I know from when I played there and a tough place to go. There’s a great catchment area which makes it a lot easier to get young players through and I’m sure he will be busy in the summer to aim for the play-offs next season.”

Now 34, Flynn has combined limited playing duties with the role of youth academy director for the last year. His contract is up in the summer and having recently passed the UEFA A coaching licence, he is clearly moving that way.

“It’s gone really well. We got to the second round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 15 years, we’ve got a boy in the Welsh under-17s and four in the first team.

“Things are starting to take shape. We’ve just gone for our category four status, which I’m confident we will get.

“It’s been quite time-consuming and it’s something we will assess at the end of the season.

“I’m still in fairly good condition. I’ve had a few niggly injuries but I’ve been back on the bench the last few games without getting on.”

It would be no shock to see Flynn in a dug-out role in the future and he harbours management ambitions.

“You’ve got to start somewhere,” he added. “Clubs tend to get new managers on the cheap first of all because they are unproven and want that opportunity.

“I’ve learned so much on the coaching courses and picking up things from top-calibre people.”

Not to mention the half dozen gaffers he played under during his time with the Bantams.

“I got on with all the managers I had a Bradford but it was tough.

“We had six managers in two-and-a-half years and there was a lot of uncertainty around the place with talk of going to Odsal and things like that.

“I felt a lot for Stuart (McCall) and we still exchange texts. I was buzzing for him to get the Rangers job and I hope it works out there.

“But Phil has done an unbelievable job. To be honest, I’m surprised he is still there and top Championship clubs haven’t made a move for him – I’m sure they are having a look.

“I’ve been really impressed when I’ve seen Bradford this season and the result at Chelsea was absolutely phenomenal.

“They will always be a club close to my heart and playing in front of those fans every other week is absolutely magnificent, especially when the place is full.

“Do I regret leaving? I will always say yes because I felt I did have more to offer at the time. But I’d had the long illness and he needed to get another midfielder in.

“I’d 100 per cent love to have been involved in all the successful times. But I’ve no axe to grind or bear any grudges.

“It's great to see them doing so well and I really hope they can keep it going. I know they are capable.”