Wembley talk banned

The biggest game of his life is just days away — but Nahki Wells has revealed that any mention of Wembley will earn him a hefty fine.

The Capital One Cup final against Swansea on February 24 will see Wells, 22, become only the third Bermudian to run out at the famous stadium.

But the Bantams’ stuttering league form has upset manager Phil Parkinson to such an extent he has taken a hard-line approach to Wembley talk around the camp.

Last night’s 3-0 win over Wycombe stemmed a six-game winless streak in the league and saw Wells, along with his regular strike partner James Hanson drop to the bench.

Former Dandy Town man Wells admitted it’s impossible to totally block out cup glory thoughts.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “Talk of the cup final is banned, we can’t bring it up on around the training ground or you’ll be fined.

“I’m not sure they’ve caught anyone yet but I know if there was more coaching staff there would  be a lot of fines because it’s inevitable you’re going to bring it up.

“You only have to say ‘tickets’ or ‘final’ or ‘Wembley’ and realistically that’s about the final!

“None of us wants to get hit with a heavy fine but it’s so hard not to mention it.”

Speaking before last night’s game, he added: “We are keen on getting our league position right, and the manager did say after our loss at the weekend there’s no way we are going to a cup final without picking up any points.

“He won’t be a happy camper if we don’t start picking up more points soon. There might be a backlash with the ones currently playing being left out come Wembley day.”

Wells added: “Out of respect to the club and the manager, we can’t really bring up Wembley too often because we haven’t been  doing well in the league and that’s our main priority.”

Wells, who has scored 18 goals this season and attracted the interested of Championship clubs Leeds, Wolves and
Huddersfield in the January transfer window, admits he was off the pace during the 1-0 defeat at home to Gillingham on Saturday. That, and the manager’s  desire to keep him in tip- top shape physically following a slight groin strain, probably cost him his place last night.

He knows he has the whole of Bermuda behind him in the lead-up to Wembley, with many Bermudians currently booking their tickets and flights for the big day.

But Wells knows league form must take priority — at least for one more game.

He said: “We need to start doing better in the league and myself, I’m a culprit. Saturday wasn’t good enough from myself.

“I can admit that I wasn’t up to my standard not in any part of that match, I just need to accept that those days come around.

“I gave it my best effort but nothing worked out.”