Bradford City have kept five clean sheets in six away games this year

The Bantams put their unbeaten away record in 2023 on the line once more this weekend with another long trek to Newport.

It is the fourth time Mark Hughes’ men have been on their travels in the last five games - but they have yet to concede a goal.

Platt and the City backline stood firm under a barrage of long throws at Walsall in Tuesday’s stalemate.

And they can expect another physical challenge in south Wales against the direct approach from the Exiles.

But the centre half feels the Bantams have shown they are not scared to mix it.

Platt said: “We’ve stood up to a lot of teams this year that have tried to do that. They will try and stick it in your box continuously and hope that you crack.

“On numerous times we’ve had to stand up to it, both games against Stevenage, Walsall on Tuesday night, and Gillingham had a little go for 20 minutes last week.

“We’ve shown we can deal with those types of tests.

“When teams are doing that, it’s about not getting dragged too much into playing their game and continue to play how we want to. That’s massive for us.”

Andy Cook fights to win an aerial challenge at Walsall (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Barrow’s breakaway winner at Valley Parade is the only goal City have conceded in over nine hours of action. They have kept clean sheets in five of the six away games since the turn of the year.

“All the defensive unit, and throughout the team, we all take pride in keeping clean sheets and keeping the ball out the back of our net,” added Platt.

“I said earlier in the season that clean sheets are going to be huge for us when you are pushing for promotion, especially on nights like Tuesday where you know we might not be at our best.

“But we came away with a point and we move on.

“It felt like every two minutes the ball was being thrown into our box but I think we dealt with them really well.

“We just had to focus every single time, making sure we set up right and then have that desire to go and get a head on the ball.

“If you’re not going to win it, make sure you don’t lose, particularly at this stage of the season. You need to keep some momentum going.

“You’ve just got to keep picking up points - and if we win this weekend then it’s been a great couple of weeks.”

City will have covered around 1,300 miles in their fortnight on the motorways by the time they eventually get back from Newport. But they have shown no sign of travel sickness in the race at the top of the table.

Platt said: “It always helps the journeys back when you’ve picked points up and had a good performance.

“I think I got home from Gillingham last week about 4.30-5am. It wasn’t easy but they are great with us.

“They gave us a little lie-in on the Thursday just to catch up on that sleep.

“That’s the life of a footballer at this stage of the season when you’ve got Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday.

“It’s not just when you’re playing, it’s everything around it. You’ve got to make sure you get enough rest, eat the right food, do everything right at the training ground.

“You just give yourself the best chance to perform in the games coming up.

“All the lads do it right, they are very professional in the training ground. You see them doing everything they can to get themselves ready.

“We’re doing it to give ourselves the best chance to get three points at the weekend.

“We know we’ve got to play everyone home and away and it’s just the way it’s fallen that we’ve had a lot of away games.

“If we get the support like we did on Saturday at Valley Parade it will be huge for us for the run-in.”