Ciaran Kelly: Bantams can handle tricky Valley Parade pitch

The series of storms have done their worst at Valley Parade despite the valiant efforts of groundsman Mick Doyle and his staff.

And with three consecutive home games approaching after the weekend trip to Wrexham, the surface is likely to get more challenging before the winter weather relents.

Ciaran Kelly admits it is a tough pitch to play on – but hopes familiarity with its pitfalls can work in City’s favour.

“The freezing weather and rain didn’t help the last few weeks,” he said. “It’s a credit to the ground staff to get it playable but obviously it’s not ideal.

“But I’ve played on worse back home in Ireland. It’s a carpet to me at this stage.

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“If anyone has to worry about the pitch, it’s the opposition.

“We’re playing on it week in, week out so we know what’s coming. We get accustomed to it.

“We’re not going to make any excuses about the pitch. We just need to start getting a few wins on the board.”

It was no stage for niceties against Wimbledon and Kelly set the defensive example with a thundering tackle on midfielder Armani Little in the opening moments.

“I just saw the opportunity. It was my first action of the day so I thought, ‘let’s make it a good one’.

“I dived in there and got myself amongst it.

“It set the tone for the rest of my game and we got the clean sheet that we’re happy with.

“It was a hard-earned point. They are a good side and troubled us in behind and physically as well.

“We had a job on our hands but I think we did well with it. But we want to start scoring goals and winning games.”

With no win in eight, City’s problems remain at the other end where goals are still frustratingly hard to come by.

Kelly did have a chance himself from a half-cleared corner but his goal-bound effort was shielded by Little in the six-yard box.

“I connected with it well in fairness but he blocked it off the line,” added the Irishman.

“It was probably the wrong man for it to fall to in the penalty area. Hopefully next time it will come to someone like Cooky (Andy Cook) and he’ll put the ball away.

City face Wycombe again in the EFL Trophy semi-finals (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“We’re getting in the right areas and creating the chances but not finishing them off.

“We’re a bit unlucky. Things can happen for other teams and the ball just drops for you but we’re just not getting that at the moment.

“Hopefully our luck will turn. If we keep doing what we can, getting in the final third and creating those chances, then the ball will eventually get into the back of the net.”

Kelly is refusing to give up on a late charge up the table, even though the Bantams continue to languish in 18th. He senses their fortunes are starting to turn again after a barren run since Christmas.

“We haven’t won in a few games but we’re still not too far off from the play-offs and where we want to be.

“All you have to do in this league is get a run of three or four wins on the bounce and you’re right up there. Everyone seems to be beating each other.

“When the manager first came in, we had a streak of eight games where we were unbeaten and getting wins.

“We came away from that for a while in the last few weeks.

“But we’re into the (Bristol Street Motors) Trophy semi-finals, which is great, and we want to get winning again in the league.

“I think we’re slowly getting back to the way we were when the gaffer first came in. Hopefully we’ll start picking up a few more points.”

That approaching semi-final date with Wycombe is a big incentive for City to get their league form back in order – with the prospect of a day out at Wembley just one win away.

Kelly said: “It keeps the momentum going. We’ve done well in the Trophy this year and hopefully we want to take it all the way to Wembley.

“Everyone wants to put their name down to play in that semi-final. We’ll be fighting for the shirts.

“We’ll have to play well in the league games to do that so hopefully we’ll get a few points on the board before that comes around.”