Rory aims to make Bantams’ wait go on
SHEFFIELD Wednesday fans love nothing better than getting one over on Steel City rivals United, but when one of them lines up against the Blades on Sunday he insists purely prolonging Bradford’s run of form will be motivation enough.
Bantams defender Rory McArdle began his career at Hillsborough and has never made a secret of his allegiance.
But when he lines up against Nigel Adkins’ Sheffield United on Sunday, McArdle says his only interest is in extending Bradford’s four-match unbeaten run.
“It’s not going to change anything,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s a game of football and we want to continue the run that we are on. Going out there and putting in a performance and getting a good result, that is the main thing.
“The fact that it is against them then it might make me a lot happier if I can go home after the game on Sunday night and enjoy it with a big smile on my face.
“We need to show the same things we have done in the last few games – a bit of resilience.
“We need to make sure we don’t play off our shape, everyone sticks to their jobs and works hard. That’s ultimately what has been positive from the spell we are on.
“We know that if we work hard and defend from the front we can keep a clean sheet, hopefully, and then build from that and maybe go on to win the game.”
Another born and bred Yorkshireman, Billy Sharp, came under fire in midweek after missing a penalty in the 3-2 home defeat by Colchester.
Che Adams could be available again after missing that game with illness, but Adkins is backing the misfiring Sharp to remain as his first-choice spotkick taker. “We have got every confidence in Billy,” the manager said.
“He scored a tremendous penalty against Bury and I am sure he will continue to want to take that level of responsibility in the future.