Bradford City Vs Leyton Orient Match Preview

Article by Timothy Feather

14/12/2013 - Kick Off: 3:00pm - Valley Parade

It has been a very relaxed two weeks for Bradford City fans sitting 8th in League One, higher than some expected at the start of the season and no game for two weeks. The past two weeks has been full of speculation about the future of star striker, Nahki Wells and if anybody will be bought in January. But City fans are thirsty for some action and over Christmas, that is certainly what City have got. Home games against Swindon, Rotherham as well as tough trips to Peterborough United and Notts County. We take one game at a time here in Yorkshire and on Saturday we welcome top side Leyton Orient to Valley Parade. Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Leeds, "The lads had last weekend off, which I don't think has done us any harm. We've been able to work on the shape of the team.”

Bradford come into this game recording one win in the past five games, picking up draws in the other four games. Leyton Orient however, have won two, drawn two and lost one, but are still at the summit of the League One table on 43 points. They are the surprise package of the season and Russell Slade has got a fantastic team and they are proving that. Orient will be without top scorer, David Mooney, who was sent off last week and will be suspended for the trip to Valley Parade. Parkinson said, "It's a bonus for us that Dave Mooney, who I had at Charlton, is suspended - he's done well for them, and I'm pleased he's not playing." His fellow strike partner, Kevin Lisbie, is also a doubt after he was injured last week as well, it is difficult losing one striker but both, that could be problematic for Slade.

Orient defender Elliot Omozusi is looking forward to playing against his former manager, Phil Parkinson. Omozusi played under Parkinson at Charlton and told the Guardian, “I know Phil Parkinson well because I was with him at Charlton so I know what he expects from his team.” He added, “He doesn’t give them a minute’s break so I know it will be a tough game but hopefully we can go up there and get a result.” Pressuring teams from the off has been a slight problem for Bradford City in recent matches but they will be looking to put this right on Saturday.

Bradford City however, have had two weeks to sit and rest and everybody is fit for selection for Saturday’s game, this will give Parkinson a headache. Bradford’s reserves really have answered Parkinson’s rallying cry to push for a first team place and done so by winning some friendlies, most notably against Burnley last week. Garry Thompson will be back after playing with injections in his Achilles against Oldham, in which he got an assist. He took it easy last week and according to assistant manager Steve Parkin, he is “looking to get himself back and raring to go for the weekend.”

No doubt, Bradford vs Orient on Saturday will be a tasty game and it is a difficult one to call. The O’s will be coming on the back foot with a few players missing and a lot will be expected of Bradford as they try to put this slight dip in form behind them going into Christmas.

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