McARDLE KNOWS HE HAS TO TAKE HIS TURN
HE IS on the cusp of 200 appearances in a Bradford City shirt, but defender Rory McArdle believes it’s harder than ever to get into the Bantams side.
The 29-year-old has featured just three times this season, forced to take his place on the bench for a team who have lost just one league game.
But, while McArdle is an experienced head, boasting 197 games for Stuart McCall’s side before the weekend, the centre-back insists he is happy to take his role on the sidelines.
“From early in preseason, l looked round the squad and at players coming in and I knew it was always going to be a battle for who got the shirts,” said McArdle.
“There are good players everywhere. You do genuinely look at some spots and think they could be anyone’s.
“But full credit to the lads who’ve been in the team because they’ve been absolutely brilliant.”
The Northern Ireland international signed from Aberdeen in 2012, quickly becoming a focal point at Valley Parade, making 44 appearances in all competitions last season.
It seemed as if that starting berth would continue, only for shoulder surgery to ruin the start of his campaign.
McArdle admits he is not envious of the position in which manager McCall finds himself, trying to keep everyone content.
“It must be hard for the gaffer. When everyone’s fit, you just have to look at the subs and the boys not even making it into the squad,” he added.
“It’s never good when people start knowing they’re going to get picked, regardless of how they play. You have an off day and you’ll still play next week.
“This keeps everyone on their toes. If performances drop below the standards the lads have already set, the gaffer’s not scared to freshen it up.”