Bradford City in worst position since having to apply for re-election 54 years ago

The Bantams dropped into the League Two relegation zone, on goal difference, following a fourth-straight league defeat against Carlisle United.

It is their worst league position since 1966, when they had to apply for re-election into the Football League.

Stuart McCall’s side have struggled with countless injury problems this term and have won just three of their 15 league games.

The club are set to hold a meeting today with a potential head of recruitment, to further the club’s work in that area while McCall has already been in contact with numerous player agents. Money will be made available for the Bantams manager to strengthen his squad, with the transfer window set to open on January 2.

“We have got a big meeting on Monday, with a head of recruitment which is someone who can help us out in that area, someone who we haven’t got at the football club at this moment in time,” said McCall.

“I have sent out, in the last 48 hours, to about 40 agents the areas we need to strengthen. Particular areas where I feel we need to get better.

“There is money there to bolster the group and, hopefully, we are getting a couple of lads back.”

McCall was left with few options to change the game at Valley Parade on Saturday after his side went 1-0 down to Rhys Bennett’s second-half header.

With no midweek fixture, McCall is hoping to have more players available for Saturday’s trip to Oldham, including the likes of Lee Novak, Billy Clarke and Kurtis Guthrie.

Despite a torrid start, McCall is confident that results will begin to improve when the Bantams get some injured players fit again.

“No disrespect to the lads on the bench but they were all defenders or young kids, so there wasn’t a lot to do to change it,” reflected McCall of Saturday’s loss.

“That is the challenging and difficult thing. There are a lot of games left and next week is going to be an important week on the training ground because we are hopeful that the likes of Novak, Clarke and Guthrie can join in with training.

“We have still given teams a game, even when missing six or seven players.

“I would just like to think that when we get three or four of them back that results will improve. They need to improve.

“Nobody wants to be where we are but it is not last-chance salon.

“We have got people coming back and people coming in, in January.

“That will make us better and stronger and, hopefully, get us out of this difficult predicament that we find ourselves in at this moment in time.

“Before January, we should have three or four players back in the front line or the middle. Between now and January, depending on injuries, things might change but there are areas we need to be better in.”

McCall felt his side lacked a little bit of luck on Saturday after they had penalty appeals waved away in the second minute.

A shot from Clayton Donaldson appeared to strike the arm of a Carlisle defender but nothing was forthcoming from the referee.

McCall said: “When you are down there and struggling for results, it is hard to go out there against a hard-working, well-organised, well-drilled side.

“It will be job done for them. They got the goal and the clean sheet, the perfect away performance from their point of view. The one that Clayton hits, strikes their player on the arm and the referee gives a goal-kick, I think that about sums it up.

“It is not why we lost the game but if the referee spots it, it is a penalty. If you just get something like that it can help to get your nose in front.

“We have just got to keep going. I think this free week will be good for everybody to clear their heads ahead of another big game against Oldham.”

Zeli Ismail will miss the next three months after undergoing surgery on Saturday.

Bradford City: O’Donnell; Wood, Richards-Everton, P. O’Connor, A. O’Connor; Cooke (French 85), Pritchard (Scales 74), Watt (Sutton 85); Samuels, Donaldson, Hosannah (Mottley-Henry 75). Unused substitutes: Hornby, Longridge, Cousin-Dawson.

Carlisle United: Farman; Hayden, Bennett, Anderton, Tanner; Devine, Mellish, Furman; Alessandra (Toure 89), Patrick, Kayode. Unused substitutes: Charters, Armer, Hunt, Reilly, Dewhurst, Riley.

Referee: G Eltringham (Durham).