Bradford City v Rochdale: Hopkin wants to see City's aggressive side

The Bradford City manager was fuming with his team after their 3-1 loss away at Accrington Stanley last weekend.

Hopkin cut a disconsolate figure in the immediate aftermath of the defeat at the Wham Stadium.

He cited “individual errors – three again” among the chief reasons as to why City fell to a fifth league reversal since he arrived at the club in early September.

After making three alterations last week do not be surprised to see Hopkin make further tweaks for today’s visit of Rochdale.

In his planning for the visit of Keith Hill’s side the Scot will no doubt be acutely aware of City’s poor home form, which contrasts sharply with Rochdale’s away form.

The Bantams have won just four matches at Valley Parade in 2018 whereas Rochdale have always been stronger away from home under the counter-attacking Hill and Hopkin has called on his players to develop an aggressive streak as they attempt to turn around their fortunes.

“I think we’re too nice with each other,” said Hopkin.

“We need some leaders. I expect more of my experienced players.

“We’re working extremely hard every day to try and get it right.”

Whatever personnel Hopkin selects one thing for sure is that he will not try to fit square pegs in round holes and drastically alter the team’s style.

“If we want to play football from the back then we’ve not got the players to do that,” he added.

“If we did that then, with all due respect to the players that we have, we’d be giving chances away left, right and centre.

“I’ve not got the players for that at this moment in time.”