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League Two’s most in-form sides meeting in a War or the Roses, each with promotion ambition – a recipe for a great Saturday afternoon if ever there was one.
The trouble is, as Ian Evatt was at pain to point out in his pre-match press conference, was that this weekend's occasion is missing one vital ingredient, the fans.
The fact Valley Parade will be virtually empty will take something away from what looks to be an appetising clash between two of the most well-supported teams in the fourth tier but Evatt hopes to put on a show for those at home.
“It’s a big game certainly, and do you know what, it really makes you think about where we’re at right now in the world that what a crying shame we can’t have supporters in this game,” he said. “I think we’d have over 20,000 there.
“Two big clubs in their own right, both pushing to achieve something this season, both in great form and what a game it would be for fans to be in.
“I feel sorry for them that they’re not going to experience that with us. But hopefully we can go there, put on a good show with some decent iFollow commentary, it will be a good game to follow!”
Bradford striker Danny Rowe has already had his say on Evatt’s progress with Bolton this week and the respect in the two camps appears to be mutual.
Bantams co-manager Conor Sellars is the son of ex-Wanderers midfielder Scott Sellars, the man whose goal secured the First Division title for Colin Todd’s Whites at Manchester City’s Maine Road in 1997.
Evatt will be looking out for his old mate Rowe, who has scored three goals in eight games since switching from Oldham Athletic.
“I have known him since I was at Blackpool. He’s a local lad and we used to socialise in similar circles. We obviously played against him when I was at Barrow and he was at Fylde.
“He can shoot off both feet and he’s a talented footballer, so we know what he’s about.
“Bradford have got some talented centre-forwards. Andy Cook has been in good form as well.
“They are a team playing with confidence but as I always say we don’t have to fear anyone or anybody. We will concentrate on what we do.”
That Wanderers are facing a side with Bradford’s history in League Two is itself a sad reflection on the two clubs’ decline in recent times.
“Nobody is exempt from this, it can happen to anyone,” Evatt said. “Unfortunately it has happened to our club but the future is nothing but bright in my eyes and that’s what we should look towards. I don’t want to think about the past and all the misery – I’ll think about it and respect it, of course – but I really want to think about what we can achieve.
“We have learned lessons from the past and we won’t be going back there again. This club will be sustainable, part of the community, part of the town and people being proud of what we are achieving on and off the pitch.”
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