Forest Green Rovers v Bradford City - Elliot Watt demands swift response

The Bantams go into the game – their first in front of fans since March after the New Lawn was chosen as a pilot venue to host 1,000 spectators – on the back of Tuesday’s 5-0 League Cup defeat at home to Lincoln City.

“It does not matter if the game was against a League One club – losing 5-0 is not acceptable,” said holding midfielder Watt.

“The game came down to who was better in both boxes, and they certainly defended with a lot more desire.

“There were a few truths told in the dressing room after the match, but we are a good group.

“The bare minimum you will get from myself and the team is hard work. We want to show the supporters we care and our performance against Lincoln was not acceptable. The only way we can do that is with a good result and performance against Forest Green.”

None of those supporters will be in the ground, with today’s pilot limited to home fans.

Bradford are without Levi Sutton, who completes a suspension, and an unnamed player suffering what is thought to be just a cold.

“It’s happened to us with Dylan (Mottley-Henry) and Zeli (Ismail) and now it’s happened to us with Mr X,” explained Stuart McCall.

“But I’m sure every club is going through it.

“If you’ve been in contact with some more players, you’re suddenly losing half your squad.

“For something basic like a sore throat, a cough or a sniffle, you have to stay away and isolate. If you don’t show any other symptoms you can come back into the group after 48 hours.”

Meanwhile, 18-year-old centre-back Reece Staunton has signed a new four-year contract.”