'Let's hit road to recovery'

From the archive, first published Tuesday 5th Dec 2006.

David Wetherall will not hear any moans about travel sickness as City kick off their London tour at Leyton Orient tonight.

The Bantams head for the League One basement boys for the first of their three games in the capital in the space of eight days.

But skipper Wetherall insists the mileage clocked up on the motorway is no excuse as they try to slam the brakes on a two-month slump.

"Of course travelling can be tiring," he said. "Anybody who travels up and down the country, whether it be on holiday or wherever, will find that.

"If you are spending five hours on a bus, as we will be, then it does take something out of you - but we've got to make sure we take every step possible so that we are well prepared for the games.

"Travelling is part of the job and something you've got to deal with. It's certainly not an excuse for us not to perform."

Leyton Orient are bottom on 15 points, eight behind City, but have lost only twice in nine games at Brisbane Road. The Bantams have won only one in ten and gone nearly five hours without a goal.

Wetherall said: "Everyone was hopeful after beating Crewe that it would kick-start us into the free-scoring mode from earlier in the season but it hasn't done.

"It's pretty much the same side that played earlier in the season, so we know there is the capability there.

"We had a few chances against Millwall and hit the post a couple of times but we fizzled out in the second half.

"It wasn't great but we're still in the FA Cup and now we've got another chance to get that elusive result we need.

"Leyton Orient will be up for it but I don't think there is any more pressure on us because of their position in the table.

"The incentive is there to win the game and open up the gap between us and them at the bottom.

"You don't want to be talking like that but that's what happens if you go the period of time we have without getting results.

"So that's how we've got to view things at the moment; we need that one win to stop the slide.

"And if we could have a good week, with a couple of good league results and get through the cup, finally things will look a bit brighter."

Nathan Doyle misses out tonight after clocking up five bookings, which should mean a recall for Richard Edghill.

Ben Parker could also be in with a shout if Colin Todd decides to shift Mark Bower into the middle.

And David Graham is available in attack again after being barred by Sheffield Wednesday from playing in the FA Cup.