Bradford's former Seagull Michael Standing is on a mission to make up for one of the worst days of his career.

He wants to erase the memory of a harrowing trip to Withdean three months ago when Albion visit Valley Parade on Saturday.

It should have been a proud moment for the great nephew of chairman Dick Knight, returning to play against the club he starred for as a schoolboy.

Instead Standing suffered abuse from Albion fans as a late substitute in an embarrassing 3-2 reverse for the Yorkshiremen.

It ended the Seagulls' club record-equalling run of 12 straight League defeats and gave Steve Coppell his first victory in charge.

"It was a nightmare, the lowest I have ever been," Standing revealed. "I was supposed to play, but I'd had a back injury.

"I told the manager (Nicky Law) I was fit, but he discussed it with the physio and they decided not to risk me.

"I was buzzing to play but we lost and, to cap it all, I came on for two minutes and got a little bit of stick. A few of them were saying 'you should have signed for Albion'.

"It was the one game I did not want to come on in with us already 3-1 down. I went in to see the manager the following week. He said my heart had been ruling my head and they didn't believe I was fit."

Standing rejected the chance to join Peter Taylor's Albion last March on a short-term contract for the rest of the season, opting instead for the security of a three-year deal with Bradford.

It looked like a bad move when Standing hurt a hamstring in his first reserve team game, which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

Bradford, beset by financial problems, found themselves deep in trouble near the foot of the table, with the Withdean defeat the second of seven on the trot.

Things have looked up for both Standing and the side since then. The former Aston Villa midfielder has played a permanent part in five wins out of eight, including home victories against Nottingham Forest, Stoke and Ipswich, which has eased the Bantams away from the relegation dogfight.

"I scored two goals the week after we played Brighton," Standing said. "I've played in nearly every game and we have picked up, so things are a lot better.

"We are the best team in the League on form at the moment and I think I have been playing well.

"At the beginning of the season we had unbelievable injury problems. We had a stronger team of injured players than fit ones.

"On paper, if we are at full strength, we are a match for anyone in this League as we have proved recently.

"At the start the club was in such a bad state and there was a lot of upheaval, but we have turned it around.

"After what happened at Villa I just wanted to get somewhere and be playing. At least I have got a start now and hopefully I can go on from here."

Shoreham-born Standing, 22 next month, has no qualms about the prospect of sending the Seagulls a step closer to the drop.

"It will be the biggest game of the season for me," he admitted. "It will be strange, but I am really looking forward to it.

"We need to push away into mid-table and start looking above us instead of below us all the time.

"I think it is going to be a very hard game. Brighton have been playing a lot better and they had a great result against Wolves.

"I speak to Dick at family gatherings, but I don't see a lot of him now that I am up here.

"I am a Brighton fan and I was as a kid, but I won't be thinking about that. Afterwards I might be thinking about not having done them any favours, but I am more desperate to win than ever against my local team after what hapened last time."

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