No need to panic, urges Lawn, as City hover just over the drop zone

But the Bantams’ joint chairman insists there is no reason for anyone at Valley Parade to panic as manager Phil Parkinson attempts to lead the club out of trouble, starting with tomorrow’s visit of Northampton Town.

Lawn said: “The league table is not something I enjoy looking at right now. No one wants to be third bottom, even at what is still a reasonably early stage of the season.

“But it is also something we should not beat ourselves up about as there have been signs lately that we are improving.

“The football we have been playing has been better, although last week’s defeat (to Hereford) was a major disappointment.”

City’s 2-0 defeat at Edgar Street came as a big blow, particularly as the Bulls are still one of only two clubs sitting below Parkinson’s men in the table.

Coming on the back of a creditable draw at Burton Albion and a win over Torquay United in the league, as well as knocking Huddersfield out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Lawn admits the loss to Hereford came as a shock.

He said: “ I didn’t really see that one coming, especially how we played with a total lack of confidence. I had expected the team to be flying after a week that saw us beat Torquay and Huddersfield. But, for whatever reason, it didn’t happen.

“Phil Parkinson has been working hard all week to make sure there is no repeat and I do feel optimistic about our chances of moving up the table soon.

“A lot of the players now in the team, or at least many of those we have signed since Phil joined the club, didn’t get a proper pre-season. But those players are getting there now.”

James Hanson is expected to return against Northampton, allowing Parkinson to pair the 6ft 4ins striker with new signing Craig Fagan for only the second time.

Lawn added: “This was always going to be a re-building season after what happened under Peter Taylor. Maybe the fans didn’t appreciate that when the season started, though they probably do now.”