Doncaster Rovers v Bradford City press conference: Bantams in a '˜false position', warns Grant McCann

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has warned that this weekend's opponents Bradford City are in a '˜false position' in League One.
Grant McCannGrant McCann
Grant McCann

And the Northern Irishman has drummed into his players not to take the Bantams lightly.

Bradford make the short trip to South Yorkshire having lost six of their opening eight league fixtures, sat 21st in the early standings.

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Former Livingston boss David Hopkin has also seen his side lose to Blackpool and Charlton Athletic since replacing rookie manager Michael Collins in the Valley Parade dugout. 

It is a stark contrast to Rovers who go into the Yorkshire derby on the back of morale-boosting wins over Luton Town and Walsall.

However, McCann is keen for his players not to take anything for granted.

'Bradford are a good team,' stressed McCann.

'I think they're in a bit of a false position at the moment, definitely in terms of the individuals they've got in the team.

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'They've got a new manager in and watching their last couple of games back they could've got four points out of those games, if not six.

'We know it's a tough game.

'Their front three - Jack Payne, David Ball and Eoin Doyle - are as good as anything in League One. 

'They're a handful so we need to make sure we're good defensively, and hopefully our threats can go and score some goals.

'Make no bones about it, we are not taking this game lightly. This will be the toughest game we've had this season.

'The players will be well aware of that.

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'You always get a bounce when a new manager goes in as well. 

'Yes, they've had a couple of defeats but knowing what David did last year at Livingston he'll have them up for the game and it'll be a tough game.'

Rovers, who are without skipper Tommy Rowe (hamstring), have no fresh injury concerns.

Ali Crawford is back in training following a knee problem but the Scottish midfielder may be given a run-out in the under-23s before returning to the first team fray.  

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