Hopkin’s Christmas wish fully granted...
MANAGER David Hopkin revealed he asked his Bradford City side to get out of the bottom four for Christmas and he is delighted that they obliged.
Bradford’s revival continued with their third home win in a row over 10-man Scunthorpe, managed by popular former player and manager Stuart McCall, who was applauded all the way to the dug-out by the home supporters.
First-half goals from on-loan Huddersfield midfield player Jack Payne and striker Eoin Doyle from the penalty spot made sure of their deserved win and only desperate defence and some top-class saves from keeper Jak Alnwick prevented them from scoring more goals.
Bradford were bottom of the table before last Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Walsall and Hopkin said: “I asked the players to be out of the bottom four for Christmas and we have done that.
“Scunthorpe started the game well and created chances but, after that, we controlled the game.
“We have been playing like that for four weeks. The back four have been fantastic and they have created a good platform for us to go and play our football.
“We are getting stronger and fitter as a group and the players are starting to gel and believe in what they are doing. They deserve great credit for that.”
McCall, whose second spell as Bradford manager ended when he was controversially sacked last February, said: “I appreciated the gesture by the supporters before the game. It was humbling, but I just wanted to get on with the game.
“As far we were concerned it was the same old movie, the same old record. We have got some players missing, but there is no excuse for the way we are defending. We gave them Christmas presents.”
Payne put Bradford in front with a low left-foot shot in the 10th minute after Doyle put him through, and Doyle increased their lead in the 26th minute after Alnwick brought down George Miller.
This was Scunthorpe’s sixth league and cup defeat in a row and they slip into the bottom four below Bradford on goal difference.
To compound their misery they had halftime substitute Cameron Burgess sent off in the 66th minute for a rash tackle on Lewis O’Brien.