Bantams keeper Sam Walker confident going into crucial spell

The Bantams aim to build on Saturday’s impressive win at Wrexham when they host MK Dons, another side currently in the play-off spots.

Struggling Sutton are at Valley Parade next weekend followed by the massive EFL Trophy semi-final clash against Wycombe.

Having finally claimed a first league win since Christmas, keeper Walker is upbeat about City’s chances heading into a pivotal period.

He said: “We’ve got these back-to-back home games in the league and then a great opportunity to get what is hopefully a first trip to Wembley for the season in the Trophy.

“We know we’ve got quality in this group and we’re a match for anybody in this league when we’re at it.

“Going to a difficult place like Wrexham and picking up a 1-0 away win does no harm.

“It adds to the belief for tomorrow. MK Dons are going well but we’ll give anyone a game.

“It was a relief to get my first win at last and hopefully we can add a good few more between now and the end of the season.”

Walker became the first visiting keeper to leave the Racecourse Ground with a league clean sheet since November 2021 – a whopping 52 games earlier.

The big stopper was keen to deflect the praise to those in front of him.

“I did not know about that but it’s a nice little stat to have,” he added.

“But that’s not just on me. I thought we defended excellently.

“You know when you come to Wrexham you’ve got to deal with (Ben) Tozer’s long throw and a lot of balls into the box from set-plays and corners.

“I thought we did that well. We were resolute last week and I didn’t have a lot to do but I was happy to help out when I was needed.

“We knew it was a difficult place to come. Other teams have struggled there and they have a very good home record.

“But we also knew the resilience we have in the group both going forwards and defensively.

“We’ve just been missing that little bit of quality in the final third that we’ve been searching for.”

Walker impressed with his presence when Wrexham were hurling everything into the City box. He confidently came out to deal with Ben Tozer’s notorious long throw-ins.

Andy Cook showed his quality to snatch City's late winner at Wrexham (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“We always work on opposition set-plays before a game so we knew what to expect.

“I actually played with Tozer many years ago at Northampton so I knew of him.

“We had a good catch-up at the end and I was saying, ‘any chance you stop putting that ball in the middle of the box!’ “It’s a difficult throw because it’s quite a flat one but I thought we defended it very well.

“It’s a part of my game that I like to come and claim the ball and relieve that pressure.

“It felt good doing that throughout the game and you grow in confidence.

“When it wasn’t me, it was someone else and we did it really well.”

The late drama was all at the other end as Andy Cook recovered from seeing his penalty saved to nod home City’s winner at the second attempt just minutes later.

Walker said: “I was delighted for Cooky to get his goal, particularly when it went against him with the penalty.

“I had a good feeling when he missed it that maybe it was written in the stars for him to go and get the winner for us and that’s how it turned out.

“I didn’t really watch the penalty. I’m not a big fan of that.

“It was an important moment of the game and obviously that went against us as the keeper made a good save.

“Cooky then gets through and the keeper makes the first save again and I’m thinking, ‘surely not’. But it popped up just nicely for him to finish.

“Cooky’s a big player for us. He leads our line and we’ve been trying to find that little bit of quality across that attacking line in the last few weeks.

“It’s good to get that monkey off our back as we go into 10 days that are exciting for the club.”

The next three games could go a long way in deciding what City are playing for in the rest of the campaign.

Walker remains cup-tied for the Trophy but can appreciate how much rests on this upcoming spell.

“That’s why it was important that we picked up a result like Saturday’s,” he said.

“It was good for the group and I’ve got to give a big mention to the travelling fans, who were amazing.

“I was getting ready in the changing room which was just below where the away fans were. You could hear the noise.

“They were our 12th man and to get that over the line was a really positive thing for everyone.”