Bradford v Shrewsbury preview: Ollie Norburn admits clash is massive six-pointer

Just three points separate Shrewsbury and the Bantams ahead of tonight’s crunch clash in what could be a snowy West Yorkshire.

Sam Ricketts’ Shrewsbury are keen to get into a winning groove in the league after their FA Cup exploits attracted wider attention.

But the bread and butter of the league remains of the utmost importance as Ricketts aims to add to his one victory, which came over Coventry just before Christmas.

Midfielder Norburn, 26, has established himself as a regular and influential part of Town’s side this season, where he’s netted seven times in 32 outings.

“I think for anyone, you always look at the table for the fixture,” said Norburn.

“Obviously we’re close together. It’s a big game.

“It’s a six-pointer, if you like. I’m not going to hide away from that – it’s a massive game.

“We want to go there and get something from the game.

“They are below us. From our point of view it’s about creating that gap and obviously it’s an opportunity to do that.”

David Hopkin’s Bantams, stuck down in 23rd, have won five, lost eight and drawn just once at Valley Parade this term.

But their home form shown signs of life in the last couple of months – before Southend inflicted a ruthless 4-0 defeat two Saturdays ago.

Town remain bottom of the away table, though they have recorded draws at Blackpool and Sunderland in their last two league trips.

“It’s just stringing a few results together. With the Cup run, it’s kind of shadowed over the league and I don’t think we’ve got the results we quite wanted,” Norburn admitted.

“Hopefully the game on Saturday gives us a bit of confidence that we can do it and now it’s just about doing it.”

Norburn, who arrived from Tranmere for a club-record transfer fee last summer, continued: “The draws have come away from home and considering our away form earlier in the season – that was letting us down.

“We’re in the games and it’s just turning those draws into wins.”

Boss Ricketts is unconcerned about the gap between Town and the bottom four. He sees the manner of his side’s performances – with 18 games still to play – as means for optimism.

“Every game is a big game, I think,” said the Town boss.

“There’s ways you can look at the table, there’s a cluster of 10 teams so tightly bunched together.

“From that, if you look up, we’re only seven or eight points off eighth – or we were before the weekend.

“It’s so tight that back-to-back wins and you start to look up.

“It’s probably a natural reaction to look down or around you but there’s an awful long way to go. So I worry about the performances.”

Meanwhile, Dave Edwards is not ready for action as he overcomes a groin injury.

Welshman Edwards was out running during training at the Sundorne Castle training ground yesterday.

Winger Shaun Whalley is set for another place on the bench as Ricketts said he is not yet ready to be included from the off.

Fellow wideman Alex Gilliead is out with an injury not thought to be serious.

Likely line-up:

Subs: Sears, Vincelot, Eisa, Whalley, Amadi-Holloway, Smith, CharlesCook (gk)

Bradford: O’Donnell; Caddis, O’Connor, Knight-Percival, Woods; Akpan, O’Brien; Ball, Payne, Wood; Doyle

The opposition: Bantams have fallen short of expectations

Bradford have endured a torrid season that has brought little joy to Bantams fans.

Almost from the off, Bradford have been stuck near the foot of the League One table, a long way below their pre-season targets.

Almost from the start, but not quite, as City – then managed by summer appointment Michael Collins – won 1-0 at John Askey’s Shrewsbury through an early goal on the first day of the season.

But that was one of just three wins in 24 games in all competitions, a run that included 15 defeats.

It was little surprise to see Collins sacked at the beginning of September after just six games.

The Valley Parade club moved to bring in David Hopkin, a manager linked with Shrewsbury last summer, from Scotland.

While the table may suggest otherwise, Hopkin has done a decent job in stabilising a club and squad with all kinds of issues. Thirteen signings came in, some very impressive acquisitions on paper, but very few have had anywhere near the required affect.

That meant Hopkin had to rely on bringing old heads, the likes of ex-Town man Jim O’Brien, ex-Birmingham man Paul Caddis and former Wolves midfielder Karl Henry in after the window shut.

And their best assets have been loanees this season in Jack Payne, David Ball and Lewis O’Brien.

City’s fortunes looked like turning in November when they began grinding out draws instead of defeats before a flurry of victories began with a mid-December rout of Walsall.

The Bantams won four from five in the league – losing 1-0 at Sunderland on Boxing Day and everything looked more rosy.

But Bradford were unable to keep that momentum up and their pace has stalled somewhat – now winless in three with two defeats, which keeps them second bottom, albeit just three points from 18th-placed Town.

City lost 4-0 against Southend last time out but that was against the form book. They have been reasonably solid at home, losing only to top five sides since the end of October.

So Town’s hosts tonight certainly have a point to prove. Hopkin, who is trying to sign a striker this week, is without midfield Sean Scannell (back), Kelvin Mellor (hamstring) and Jake Reeves (groin).

Pie and a pint:

You can’t go wrong with the Bradford Arms on Manningham Lane, two minutes from the ground. A Victorian-themed setting and ideal location.

Memory lane:

Terry Dunfield, right, Kevin McIntyre and Dave Hibbert helped Town win 3-1 in a League Two clash in 2009. James Hanson scored for the home side.

Key man:

Fejiri Okenabirhie

Without a league goal since December 15, it has not been for the want of trying. Excellent on Saturday, he just needs one to go in.

Danger man:

David Ball

A talented player capable of playing in a number of positions, including central midfield, right wing and centre forward.

The 29-year-old ex-Fleetwood man has five goals this term but has been very effective.

Saw his penalty for parent club Rotherham saved by Dean Henderson in last season’s play-off final.