Taylor stays defiant as pressure mounts on Valley Parade strugglers

The Bantams are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle courtesy of having claimed just one point from their last six games, a run that has seen Taylor's men fall to 18th in the table and to within six points of the dropzone.

City's position is even more precarious due to the three sides immediately below them in the table having three games apiece in hand and third bottom Burton Albion having played six games less than the West Yorkshire club

With Bradford being due to face fourth bottom Macclesfield Town tomorrow, wild rumours swept the city earlier this week that Taylor had been sacked following a meeting with joint chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn.

The speculation was subsequently denied by the board and Taylor, who last month turned down an offer to become Alan Pardew's assistant at Newcastle United, is determined to end a tough week on a high with a much-needed win at Moss Rose.

He last night told the Yorkshire Post: "I understand that rumours happen, especially when you are at a big football club like Bradford City. It is part of football and if we spoke about all the rumours that go round in football then me and you would be on the phone all day.

"What is not in doubt is that the club is in a very, very serious position. Everyone can see that, especially as the teams below us have a lot of games in hand.

"No-one here is laughing and joking at our plight. Instead, everyone is working as hard as we can to put things right. I am fully aware that we have got to win football matches, starting with Macclesfield."

City's defeat to Lincoln City on Tuesday night saw sections of the Valley Parade crowd jeer Taylor, who is considering handing a first start of the season to Michael Flynn, and Lewis Hunt a first return since September, at Macclesfield along with a debut to new signing Scott Dobie.

Taylor added: "We didn't do ourselves any favours on Tuesday night against Lincoln City, that's for sure. After Chesterfield (when City drew 2-2), I was looking for another good performance. We got that, but only for five minutes

"I know our results have been poor over the last six games but I still don't know how we have only got one point. We have deserved a lot more than that.

"The key now is making sure we get the points that will take us away from trouble."