BRADFORD (Park Avenue) are hosting Heaton Stannington in the Northern Premier League East Division this afternoon, their first league game for 18 days.

And the squad has changed markedly since that 1-0 defeat at Ashington on September 10, with former Guiseley defender Josh Ashman signing on Thursday evening, adding to three fellow recruits over the past fortnight, Elie Ikwa, Mark Beevers and Jack Normanton.

But captain Connor Dimaio and joint second top-scorer Kelan Swales have left in that time too, with new manager Craig Elliott overseeing something of a revolution.

For a player used to far more stability, contract-wise, former Bradford City midfielder Connor Shanks, it must be an eye-opener, but he is learning to roll with the punches.

He told the T&A: “Connor and Kelan were great lads and I wish them all the best, and it’s not that they didn’t want to be here, they got good offers elsewhere.

“But we want a strong squad that are going to play for Bradford (Park Avenue) and really make the fans, the manager and everyone at the club proud.

“We need to have a successful season this year, all the players are aware of that.

“There is pressure, but that comes with playing at such a big club in a league it shouldn’t be in.

“We need to all step up and really start that this Saturday.”

Discussing that gap since Ashington, Shanks said: “It’s been nearly three weeks since we played in the league, and that’s the main focus for the team.

“We were disappointed with the Ashington result, as we felt we deserved more on the night, but you’ve got to take your chances and make sure you keep a clean sheet at least, and we did neither.

“But being back at home this weekend, it’s a big opportunity for all of us.

“It’s the manager’s first home match and we want to make Horsfall a proper place where everyone knows they’re not going to get an easy game.

“We’re going to start that this weekend for sure.”

The new era under Elliott hit its first bumps in the road with that league defeat to Ashington and being dumped out of the FA Trophy by Ossett United last weekend.

But a stirring comeback to beat Golcar United 3-2 in the West Riding County Cup in midweek should act as a real boost.

Shanks said: “We showed great character on the night.

“It wasn’t an ideal start, but we’ve had a good look at that, and ultimately, the character all the lads showed to come back, after a couple of poor results beforehand, was brilliant.

“We’ve got a really good group here, but we need to kick on now, which is the plan for everyone at the club.”

Plans at the club have changed tactically too, with Elliott specifically wanting to add strength to his side, shown by the acquisitions of Ikwa, Beevers and Ashman in particular.

Elie Ikwa holds off his man in Avenue's game against Ossett United last weekend and his power will hopefully make a real difference on the pitch.Elie Ikwa holds off his man in Avenue's game against Ossett United last weekend and his power will hopefully make a real difference on the pitch. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Shanks is a technically-gifted midfielder, but has no issue with adapting to Elliott’s demands, saying: “I’ve played a lot of formations in my career and we all understand what the new manager is after too.

“The manager’s been brilliant since he came in, and we know he wants high energy, a clear formation he wants to play, so we’re all buying into that.

“We need to repay him with some good results now, because it’s all down to us on the pitch.”