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Phil Parkinson knows just what it takes to bring down the big boys in the FA Cup and has called on Wanderers fans to play their part when they entertain Premier League Crystal Palace in the third round tomorrow.
His Bradford side reached the quarter-finals in the 2014/15 season in a run that included the scalp of Sunderland and a stunning 4-2 victory at Chelsea, when they came back from two goals down.
The Bantams – then in League Two – went all the way to Wembley two years earlier, losing to Swansea in the League Cup final.
And if his Wanderers are to emulate those improbable achievements tomorrow Parkinson feels a collective effort, from those on the pitch and the thousands cheering them on, can make all the difference.
“The atmosphere against Scunthorpe was very, very good, a lot of people who were at the game said it was one of the best atmospheres for a long time at the ground,” said the Whites manager. “I was pleased with that, hopefully it will be the same on Saturday, I want to make it like a real cup tie on the pitch and off the pitch.
“We’ve worked hard to get to round three and now we want to make sure we give a good account of ourselves.
“It’s a big occasion and we’re really looking forward to it. I’s a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against Premier League opposition.”
Top flight they may be, but Sam Allardyce’s new club are in a rut, still faltering badly in the league.
To add to a catalogue of injuries Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako have gone to compete in the African Cup of Nations, but they sill have star striker Christian Benteke in their ranks.
And Parkinson says the Belgian’s presence illustrates the chasm between the two clubs’ spending power and why his side must rely on their grit to see them through.
He said: “With Benteke and Andros Townsend there is 40 or 50 million pounds’ worth of players just with those two. They’ve got real quality.
“We know there is a gulf in quality but we’ve got to make up for that with sheer honest endeavour, and also show when we’ve got the ball we’ve got good footballers as well.”
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His Bradford side reached the quarter-finals in the 2014/15 season in a run that included the scalp of Sunderland and a stunning 4-2 victory at Chelsea, when they came back from two goals down.
The Bantams – then in League Two – went all the way to Wembley two years earlier, losing to Swansea in the League Cup final.
And if his Wanderers are to emulate those improbable achievements tomorrow Parkinson feels a collective effort, from those on the pitch and the thousands cheering them on, can make all the difference.
“The atmosphere against Scunthorpe was very, very good, a lot of people who were at the game said it was one of the best atmospheres for a long time at the ground,” said the Whites manager. “I was pleased with that, hopefully it will be the same on Saturday, I want to make it like a real cup tie on the pitch and off the pitch.
“We’ve worked hard to get to round three and now we want to make sure we give a good account of ourselves.
“It’s a big occasion and we’re really looking forward to it. I’s a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against Premier League opposition.”
Top flight they may be, but Sam Allardyce’s new club are in a rut, still faltering badly in the league.
To add to a catalogue of injuries Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako have gone to compete in the African Cup of Nations, but they sill have star striker Christian Benteke in their ranks.
And Parkinson says the Belgian’s presence illustrates the chasm between the two clubs’ spending power and why his side must rely on their grit to see them through.
He said: “With Benteke and Andros Townsend there is 40 or 50 million pounds’ worth of players just with those two. They’ve got real quality.
“We know there is a gulf in quality but we’ve got to make up for that with sheer honest endeavour, and also show when we’ve got the ball we’ve got good footballers as well.”
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