Bantams boss at the start of pre-season Ireland tour
Phil Parkinson says he is glad to see things get underway for City in Ireland as the Bantams step up their preparations for the forthcoming 2012/2013 campaign.
Parkinson's squad arrived in the Emerald Isle yesterday to begin their week-long tour of the country but today (Monday) saw City get their training schedule for the trip up and running.
After spending the morning in the gym for a strength and conditioning session, City's travelling party made use of their hotel's training pitches for the first time this Monday afternoon.
Along with a highly-equipped gym and swimming pool, the Bantams will have use of the pitches throughout the whole week and will only need to leave their hotel base to attend the two fixtures on the tour.
Parkinson said: "We want to get straight into things and not waste a day. The training today has been high tempo and the lads have looked in good shape.
"Today has obviously been our first full day out here after yesterday's travelling. It was a bit of a turnaround so shortly after the Tadcaster Albion fixture (on Saturday) but it only took us half an hour by plane to get into Ireland so the lads haven't needed much recover time.
"That means we can get down to work amongst straightaway, and that's what we've been doing today.
"The pitches we are using to train on are right by the side of the hotel we are staying at. They (the pitches) are really good quality and that can only help what we are trying to do with the lads this week.
"Another benefit of being self-contained is that we don't have to travel anywhere apart for the matches, meaning we can get more out of our (training) sessions."
City's first of their second pre-season matches while in Ireland will take place at Wexford Youths tomorrow evening (Tuesday).
Parkinson's men will make the trip south to Wexford on Tuesday afternoon after a morning training session at their hotel.
"The lads who start will most probably get 60-65 minutes and then there will be other lads who will be given the back end of the game," added Parkinson.
"Those who only play the last half an hour of the game tomorrow will train for longer in the morning, however.
"We'll then change that round for Saturday (vs Bray Wanderers) to make sure the lads all get roughly the same amount of time on the pitch."