Bantams set sights on Wembley return

25 February 2013 16:17

Bradford striker Nahki Wells is targeting a return to Wembley in the npower League Two play-off final as the Bantams aim to bounce back quickly from their Capital One Cup hammering at the national stadium.

The Yorkshire side take on Dagenham on Wednesday determined to enhance their play-off hopes after going down 5-0 to Swansea on Sunday.

"We'll keep our chin up and it's back to business on Wednesday in our league game," said Wells, who is on course to reach his target of 20 goals for the season.

Cup wins over Watford, Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa have taken their toll on Phil Parkinson's side, who have won only one of their last eight league games to slip eight points adrift of a play-off place.

But Wells was quick to turn his attentions to the Dagenham game and the chance to make up lost ground. "I don't think it will be difficult to get up for the next game at all," he said. "Having just lost we want to put things right and show everyone what a good side we are.

"Obviously we didn't get to show what we're capable of and as a footballer when you have setbacks you want to correct them as soon as possible. Wembley's out of the way now. We're going to enjoy the night and as of Monday it's automatic that we're setting our sights on coming back to Wembley."

Bradford, whose four goals in their two-legged semi-final triumph over Aston Villa came from set-pieces, were relying on Swansea having an off-day at Wembley, but Michael Laudrup's side tore out of the blocks and took the lead through Nathan Dyer in the 16th minute.

Michu added a crucial second five minutes before half-time and Dyer crashed home his second. Matt Duke tripped Jonathan de Guzman in the area for a penalty, with Duke shown a straight red card. De Guzman beat replacement goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin with the subsequent spot-kick and then clipped home his second in the 90th minute.

Wells, who was sacrificed for McLaughlin in the 56th minute, said: "There are a lot of positives to take. The gaffer told us at half-time 'we're here, we're in the final, don't have any regrets and go and do the best you can, you've nothing to lose and go and do the fans and the club proud'.

"We ran out there with that mentality and they got the third goal which set us back. We probably would have had a lot more chances if they hadn't got that third. But it's an unbelievable achievement. Even if we lost 5-0 it's unbelievable to be here."

Source: PA