Bradford City WFC vs Middlesbrough LFC Programme

McCall’s men: Thriving in no pressure environment
Victory over Coventry continued Bradford City’s unbeaten start to the new League One season last week.
Mark Marshall’s sweet strike from 25 yards was sandwiched in between two Tony McMahon penalties,
as the Bantams came from 1-0 down to win 3-1, impressing again under new boss Stuart McCall.
Speaking to the Telegraph and Argus after the game, Marshall eluded to exactly why that is.
“The manager has told the boys to go out and express themselves,” he revealed. “So when you’ve got a
youngster like Danny Devine coming in, the manager takes the pressure off him.
“If you make one mistakes, that’s fine, just go again. That’s been a big factor and it’s helped us. The
gaffer’s just said to go out there and enjoy yourselves.”
Mark Marshall celebrates his splendid strike against Coventry. (Photo: Thomas Gadd)
After starting with a goalless draw at home to Port Vale, City’s only blip has been a League Cup loss on
penalties against Accrington Stanley, who beat Premier League side Burnley in the next round.
The concern remained goals after this result and a 1-0 win over Peterborough United, but last weekend’s
performance showed that these concerns need not be too big.
McCall has never been concerned anyway: “Before the game,” Marshall explained, “[McCall] was telling
us, ‘Boys, you’ve been brilliant so far, so go out there and enjoy it.’
“That makes you relax as a player,” he said, adding that the players themselves “can’t get carried away”
with the good start either.
As well as being realistic—”There’s 42 games left and we’ve got to get 70-odd points to make the playoffs”—maintaining
a positive, pressure-free environment will be key for City this season.
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