PHIL Parkinson has called on Wanderers’ fans to help his side pass tomorrow’s Bradford City test.

Excited at the prospect of locking horns with his former club, the Whites boss is hoping to crank up the atmosphere at the Macron Stadium to lift his players.

Parkinson walked out on Valley Parade in the summer for a new challenge with Wanderers but knows a travelling army of 4,300 Bantams supporters will be looking to cause an upset.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Parkinson appealed for Bolton’s faithful to make their voices heard and ensure his side react to last weekend’s defeat at Walsall.

“This is a mouth-watering game – and that’s nothing to do with me being a former Bradford manager,” he said. “It’s purely because last season Bradford were a top-six team, are currently unbeaten, and we have had a good start with a touch of disappointment last week.

“This week is a test of how we bounce back but also a test of the fans and whether they can also rise to the challenge.

“There are so many elements to make this an exciting game and I can’t wait for it. But we need our supporters to be right up for this one. I feel we’ve started to put the pride back into Bolton Wanderers.”

Parkinson has been encouraged by the mood at Lostock this week and feels his players will not mope after losing their unbeaten record.

He would be happy to see the same passion on the terraces as he witnessed at the Banks’s Stadium – a support which the experienced manager admits took him by surprise.

“We lost our first game last week but I have to thank the people who came down to Walsall because not only did they give us great support, the vast majority stayed behind to clap off the lads,” he said. “They have been great with us from day one and that’s important. I’m working hard to build my reputation with them but equally I know I have got work to do to really convince them. Football is about the long term as well as the short term. They’ll always get 100 per cent honesty and 100 per cent commitment from me.”