Bradford City boss Derek Adams has urged his team to stand up and fight as they prepare to visit Newport County in League Two on Saturday afternoon.
The Bantams slipped out of the playoffs in recent weeks after a five-match winless run, but they ended that barren sequence with a 2-0 victory over Rochdale last weekend. That success has given them a fighting chance of sneaking back into the top seven this weekend, so long as results go their way.
Adams’ team face a difficult few weeks in League Two, with two long journeys to come against Newport and Swindon Town before the end of the month.
They also face league-leaders Forest Green Rovers at home on October 30, but Adams says he will not accept excuses. Bradford have already clocked up over 1,700 miles in their recent five away games, but Adams says his team needs to dig deep.
He told the Yorkshire Post: “I have been manager at Plymouth Argyle and Ross County, and people talk about long trips; they have no idea about what a long trip is. A trip is a trip and a game, and we get on with it.
“The only change is that the weak change, the strongest survive.”
Bradford are 17/10 to win on their travels, but they will need to be at their best, with Newport winning the previous three meetings between the pair.
Harrogate to Take Advantage of Struggling Iron
Harrogate Town can put pressure on leaders Forest Green when they welcome rock-bottom Scunthorpe to town on Saturday.
Harrogate have not lost in four, and their form at the EnviroVent Stadium is even better, with Simon Weaver’s side unbeaten in seven on home soil.
Scunthorpe make the trip north in dire straits, having lost four of their last five. They have failed to score in all four of those defeats, and a home win to nil appeals at 9/5.
Exeter Can Make It Six on the Spin
Stevenage will aim to win their third game in a row in all competitions on Saturday when they take on Exeter City in League Two.
The Boro are 17th in the table, but they have recently beaten Hartlepool United in the league, while they proved too much for Oxford United in the EFL Trophy.
Even though their form has improved, Stevenage should come unstuck this weekend when they entertain Exeter.
The Grecians are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, and they have won the last five battles between the two sides.
Stevenage have also only won one of their previous eight at home, and an away win catches the eye at 17/10.
*All odds correct at time of writing