Peter Jackson; not a shy and retiring type of bloke
Bradford City interim boss Peter Jackson has never been known to do anything but to come out fighting whatever the situation, and a mere 236-mile Friday night trip to south-east Essex is not going to change any of that.
Especially as points are still needed to make sure the bottom tier's best supported club stays playing League football next season, which is still not guaranteed after a horrible 3-0 reverse to play-off challengers Torquay United last Saturday at Valley Parade.
The Bantams remain a half-dozen points above the relegation zone with six games remaining, which should see them OK, but the West Yorkshire travelling faithful, and there will be enough to make a noise, will know a win will see them above that iconic 50-point mark.
Jackson told the Press Association: "Friday is now another big game for us. But we've had two good wins away from home since I've been in charge, so going away from home doesn't bother me. We have to be positive and look forward to the game."
Jackson is also hoping welcome back joint top scorer James Hanson from a hamstring injury that made him miss the heavy home defeat to the Gulls.
The local born striker would hope to add to the 9 goals he's already grabbed this term.
He continued: "I think James was a big miss for us, you could see that at various points in the game. He would be a big miss for most sides, but especially for a side like us who have been struggling for goals this season."
Bottom of League Two
15 | Morecambe | 41 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 24 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 24 | 32 | 13 | 10 | 18 | 48 | 60 | 49 | -12 |
16 | Hereford United | 41 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 22 | 27 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 47 | 61 | 49 | -14 |
17 | Cheltenham Town | 41 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 24 | 30 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 29 | 42 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 53 | 72 | 48 | -19 |
18 | Bradford City | 40 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 30 | 14 | 5 | 21 | 38 | 53 | 47 | -15 |
19 | Macclesfield Town | 41 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 24 | 35 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 28 | 33 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 52 | 68 | 47 | -16 |
20 | Lincoln City | 41 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 36 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 13 | 7 | 21 | 43 | 72 | 46 | -29 |
21 | Northampton Town | 41 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 36 | 31 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 33 | 9 | 16 | 16 | 53 | 64 | 43 | -11 |
22 | Burton Albion | 39 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 35 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 46 | 62 | 41 | -16 |
23 | Barnet | 41 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 27 | 33 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 35 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 50 | 68 | 41 | -18 |
24 | Stockport County | 41 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 28 | 48 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 15 | 40 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 43 | 88 | 36 | -45 |