Colin Todd is making City's relegation fight smiles better for the players.

Dean Windass today praised the Bantams No 2 for spreading a little happiness in the dark times to ensure dressing-room spirits stay high.

City are counting down to Saturday's trip to relegation rivals Nottingham

Forest with morale boosted by the Crewe win.

And Windass was delighted to win for Todd and Bryan Robson, who have had their work cut out to keep heads up during the club's scrap for survival.

Windass said: "Of course it's much easier to come in on Monday morning after you've won. But even when we kept losing, the mood among the players hasn't been too bad.

"That's down to the management team and especially Colin. He comes in to the club Monday to Friday and he's always on the ball, always smiling.

"Colin's been a revelation since he's been here. He's always bright and bubbly every morning, laughing and joking. When you see him walk in with a smile on his face it really helps lift you.

"He deflects everything from us and keeps the pressure off. Getting a win at last is a massive boost not only for the team but for Colin and Bryan."

The management duo are both out of contract after the final game of the season. With the threat of administration hanging over City, no talks have started about new deals.

Windass added: "Their reputations are on the line as much as the players. Nobody knows what is going to happen at the end of the season if we do get relegated.

"We don't know if Colin or Bryan are still going to be here. But hats off to them, they never let anyone go sulking around the place.

"They have never slaughtered anybody and I'm sure they must have been tempted. They probably want to come in and have a go at people but they can't.

"With the situation we're in and the squad we've got, you can't hammer someone because they've got to play again next week.

"I know Colin and Bryan can be aggressive sometimes but they treat everyone fairly. They are always giving advice and every day you see them talking to the young kids like Simon Francis, Ben Muirhead and Danny Forrest. You can't ask for any more than that."

City reserves play Barnsley for the second time in eight days tonight at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium (7.00). Fans can only use the East Stand because of another function taking place at the ground.

CITY RESERVES: Davies, Edds, Jacobs, Kearney, Folkes, Bower, Sanasy, Evans, Wolleaston, Forrest, Emanuel. Subs: Standing, Cornwall, Penford, Bentham, Flynn.