Big clash at Bradford is 'just another game' for Poppies

Kettering Town head to rock-bottom Bradford Park Avenue this weekend with manager Paul Cox insisting it is “just another game” for his team.

The Poppies head into tomorrow (Saturday) seven points clear of the relegation zone in the Vanarama National League North after a big turnaround in fortunes over the past few weeks.

Bradford, on the other hand, look to be in big trouble and are 15 points adrift of safety with just 12 games of their season to go.

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The match is subject to an 8.30am pitch inspection and Cox said: “I think we have got to put Bradford’s league position to one side and look at it just another game where we need to try to impose ourselves and try to get the three points.

“The next phase for us is to put a run of wins together and, especially in this division, it doesn’t really matter who you play because there are teams fighting for promotion and fighting against relegation and every game has its own meaning.

“We just have to stay focused and look at accomplishing the aim of keeping the club in this division. I have said before in games that people have classed as six-pointers that I don’t look at it like that.

“You can win or lose a six-pointer but it’s your consistency after that which can have a positive or negative affect on where you finish.”

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The Poppies have been left frustrated by the weather recently as home clashes with Guiseley and Hereford were both called off this week after the recent storms.

Kettering did train last Saturday, however, and Cox added: “We got the lads in early on Saturday and credit to all of them because it was windy and heavy rain right from the first minute of training to the last and they put in a really good shift.

“On days like that, some will take the easy option but we want to be prepared for whatever is coming round the corner for us.

“Some of the boys were travelling from Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield in poor conditions and while some would say that’s what they get paid for, I think there would have been some who would have taken that easy option and stayed at home.”