Mark Cooper reckons there’s no pressure on Barrow AFC as they prepare to take on Bradford City at Valley Parade.

Tomorrow’s trip to Yorkshire sees the Bluebirds up against one of League Two’s biggest clubs and a side tipped for promotion.

It will be among the biggest crowds Barrow play in front of in 2021/22.

And Cooper hopes his team can perform with freedom – and thrive on the big stage against the Bantams.

“It’s a great game for us,” he said. “There’s no pressure on us.

“With the way we are at the minute, and the number of players we are missing, I don’t think too many people will be expecting us to get anything.

“But it’s a great stage for the players to go and showcase their ability.

“We’ve got some dangerous players at the top of the pitch and we’re looking forward to it.”

Barrow will take a good travelling support to Bradford, while Derek Adams’ hosts are likely to be backed by close to 15,000 home fans.

Cooper believes his side need to start well and not give a strong home side – or their fans – any encouragement.

“There are different ways to silence a crowd, like take the ball off them and don’t give them it back,” the AFC boss said.

“What we have to do is start well and make sure we’re not chasing the game too early on, and do what we did at Oldham – we started well there, as we did against Colchester. We’ve got to try and do the same.”

Cooper says he respects the recent achievements of opposite number Adams.

“The manager at Bradford has got a way of doing things that’s been very successful,” he said.

“He’s had a great few years, and did an incredible job at Morecambe – to get them promoted, I’d put there up there with one of the really big achievements.

“You know what you’re gonna get. They’re physical, they’ve got some really good players and it’s a hostile atmosphere, but a great place to play.

“We’re going to need our supporters on Saturday, and we’ve also got to pick them up to give them something to cheer.

“The supporters so far, while I’ve been here, have been magnificent.” Barrow will be without James Jones tomorrow following his red card late in last Friday’s 3-2 defeat to Colchester.

That further depletes Cooper’s defensive options with captain Mark Ellis serving the final game of his three-match ban after his dismissal against Bristol Rovers.

“It’s the last place we needed another absentee. We’ll have to be creative this weekend,” Cooper added.