BradfordCity started the season amongst the promotion favourites, but have never lived up to expectations in what has so far been a disappointing campaign for the Bantams.

The signs that something wasn't quite right were there for all to see on the opening day of the season, when Stuart McCall's men were thumped 5-0 by NottsCounty at Meadow Lane.

Since then their results have continued to be 'up and down'. Vale earned a point at the Coral Windows Stadium back in August and a week later Bradford beat Cheltenham - the first of four wins in a row.

Towards the end of last season Stuart McCall had promised to walk out if his side failed to win promotion. They did - he didn't.

He took a pay drop in the summer and carried on as normal, but by the time his side were beaten at home by Bury in early February this year, he knew it was time to go.

Bradford soon managed to secure the services of former England under 21 boss Peter taylor - a man with a wealth of managerial experience, including a short spell in charge of the senior England team as caretaker manager.

Taylor's first game in charge was an away defeat at Accrington Stanley, but since then his side have won three out of four games and travel to Burslem in a confident mood.

His next game in charge saw Bradford recode a surprise 3-1 win away to leaders Rochdale. Chris Dagnall put the home side level after Matt Clarke had given Bradford an early lead, but late strikes from Robbie Threlfall and Gareth Evans sealed the points for the visitors.

Two wins and one defeat later, things are starting to look up for Bradford, though they may well have left it a bit too late to mount a serious challenge for the play-offs.

Defender Luke O'Brien and midfielder Michael Flynn both picked up knocks during Bradford's impressive 2-1 away win at Rotherham at the weekend, but the Bantams are likely to field an unchanged side this evening.

Micky Adams has a few selection headaches following Saturday's home defeat to Northampton. He made three changes at the commencement of the second half on Saturday, and it is anybody's guess what his starting eleven will be tonight.

Although it may be seen as stating the obvious, Vale need a goal tonight. The Valiants last scored at home against Bradford way back in April 1999 when Alan Lee found the net in a 1-1 draw. The last time the Bantams were beaten here at ValePark was in December 1989.