Bradford v Walsall - Match preview

As a club that has historically played at a higher level, the Bantams were relegated to the fourth tier alongside the Saddlers at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Stuart McCall’s side finished ninth last year as the season was curtailed prematurely and while Clarke believes the pressure is on the hosts tonight, he also insists Walsall have a target on their back due to their 11-game unbeaten league run.

“All I know is Valley Parade is a difficult place to play,” he said. “There’s no crowd in there, but they’re a good team, got good players and they are expected to be in the automatic spots aren’t they.

“The size of the football club tells you that.

“Look at Bolton as well, they’re expected to be in the top three with the size of the fan base.

“They (Bradford) have an added pressure and they’ve had a good win (on Saturday) – but we’re on a good run aren’t we.

“When you’re on that run you always become side’s go-to, they want to break that and raise that five, 10 per cent.

“We’ll have to be at our best to get the win. People say that Walsall used to be in the Championship or League One, well it doesn’t matter, we’re not there any more.

“We’re working hard to try and win football games at the professional level we’re at and it goes to show if you look at the four divisions, that’s how hard it is to win pro games.

“We have an honest set of lads that I think are getting better and we’ll keep working away.

“I think it will be the squad and whoever picks up less injuries to key personnel that is going to be the difference. There won’t be many teams that want to play us when we’re on form, that’s for sure.”

On-loan left-back George Nurse has experience of playing at Valley Parade having played there for Newport County last season. However, the 21-year-old insists all games at this level present their own challenges as Walsall bid to extend their unbeaten run.

“Bradford are a good team but every game in this division is a tough game,” Nurse said.

“Hopefully we can go there and be competitive and come away with three points.

“It’s an incredible unbeaten run and we need to look to keep that going and hopefully we can take confidence from the Exeter game and we can keep it going.

“It gives us loads of confidence. All three teams that we have played in the last week are good teams and they will probably be up there at the end of the season and hopefully we will be up there with them as well.”

Nurse has cemented his place in the starting XI in recent weeks, keeping Zak Jules and Callum Cockerill-Mollett out of the team and although rotation is inevitable, Nurse is aiming to keep his spot.

“I think I have found my feet a little bit and I think a run of games helps with that,” he added.

“I am enjoying my football at the moment and hopefully it can continue. This loan move is 100 per cent helping. I had my first league loan spell last season with Newport and to come here and get a consistent run of games and be in the team every week is brilliant for me. Hopefully it can continue and I can keep learning. I just need to keep giving my all when I am selected and just do what the gaffer asks of me.

“If I keep playing well then hopefully I can stay in the team but if people need to be rested then that is fine, I will keep my head up and wait for my chance again and when that chance comes, I’ll be looking to step up.”