Harry Lewis is hopeful that a victory over Wrexham will send a message to the rest of League Two, saying, “We’re back.”
The Bantams will take on Phil Parkinson’s Dragons at Valley Parade in another tough test following their consecutive league victories over play-off-positioned opponents. Lewis, though, thinks things have turned around and is aiming for another big finish to get closer to the top seven. “Wimbledon and Swindon are two teams that have been doing well and scoring a lot of goals,” the goalkeeper stated. They are positioned rather high in the table, which is probably where we want to be.
“We defeated them both really quickly. Although we didn’t trample them, we completed the task with ease.
“I believe that if we defeat Wrexham and then MK Dons on Tuesday, the rest of the world will regard us a little more.” “The spirit, unity, and belief have returned from inside. “If you manage to win these next two games as well, the other teams in the league will start to pay attention and speculate that Bradford City might be back.”
“Where we were three or four weeks ago is not going to be where these guys are. That is advantageous.
In the much anticipated match this afternoon, City is only three points off of the playoff spots in 11th place, which is seven spots higher than when Mark Hughes was fired two weeks ago. Lewis said, “We’re probably lucky we weren’t further adrift than we were.”
“Everyone is aware of the game; nobody is stupid. We didn’t measure up. “We weren’t producing the desired results, and in that early part of the season, we didn’t really deserve to win many games. However, that moment has passed, and we are now moving on. It all comes down to looking ahead. “You’re never more than two or three wins away from being right back in the mix with this league’s makeup.”
Kevin McDonald, the interim manager, has immediately improved things. Lewis is adamant that, given the uncertainty surrounding who will be hired on a full-time basis, the entire team is competing for their careers.
“When a new manager takes over, everything is reset. Everyone needs to demonstrate their worth. “You have to be at it, whether it’s me, Andy Cook, Jamie Walker, or other players you consider to be established (on the team). “If you want to get out of this division, you have to put in extra effort. That’s our decision, and it will begin with the upcoming game.
Lewis believes that the fourth division is as competitive and unpredictable as it has ever been, and that Wrexham and its Hollywood backers have drawn more attention to it. Every week, League Two manages to produce striking outcomes.
He continued, “My friends might do an accumulator on a Saturday and they’re having trouble understanding this division.” Teams at the top are being defeated by teams at the bottom. It is really cutthroat. “Anyone can win on any given day.” It seems evident that in certain games, team X should defeat team Y, but this isn’t always the case. “This league’s football is beautiful because of that. You can’t afford to be complacent; you have to work at it constantly.
“Next weekend, Sutton is leaving, and they are at their lowest point. However, you cannot enter that game with that mindset. “Because there is greater talent, the league is receiving more attention now. Better players exist.
“Paul Mullin, who led this league in scoring a few years ago, and Steven Fletcher, who participated in the Scottish Premier League last year, have joined Wrexham.
“There’s no denying the abundance of quality in the world. Everyone has the opportunity to compete against some major players and show what they can do.
Wrexham is a popular football team.
This season, City has already defeated Wrexham once, winning the Carabao Cup at the Racecourse Ground on penalties. Lewis, who grew up in Shrewsbury and saw the Welsh team as their main football opponents, took greater pride in that outcome.
And he anticipates a tonne of banter from the huge audience this afternoon, which is sold out at the away end.
“The league benefits from Wrexham’s return in that situation,” he stated. “Notts County and they both will bring that.” “Whenever you want to discuss money and other things, Wrexham is a football team that has a large fan base. They will travel nicely and are a really classic, old-school club. “I’m excited for some back-and-forth, and I’m sure their fans will be noisy. “There are moments when I’m not really into the game and I hear what these supporters are singing, and I laugh a little to myself. “That’s live football, and watching it is enjoyable. I enjoy
We may have knocked Wrexham out of the cup, so they may feel they owe us half. However, there’s no greater motivation for a Shrewsbury boy than taking against the team who used to play across the street when they were younger.
