City have had their wake-up call and now Phil Parkinson expects a bright and breezy start to the new year.

The Bantams enter 2013 – a year they hope will finally end their exile in League Two – with a trip to Morecambe’s Globe Arena.

It also offers immediate redemption for the weekend’s puzzling home loss to Rochdale and the manager is confident they will deliver.

“That was a reality check for all of us,” he admitted. “The way we played was unlike us and we weren’t right.

“Things caught up with us a bit and a few of them had illnesses. It was one of those when everybody had an off day.

“The lads have had a terrific run but equally we can’t be happy at conceding four goals in 45 minutes. Everything they hit went in the back of the net.

“It was similar to Rotherham, four shots and four goals and there were a couple of great strikes. The header was freakish but still we should have dealt with it.

“But the good thing about this period is that you get another game straight away. We’ve got to make sure we respond in the right way.”

Morecambe old boy Garry Thompson, who scored one of the Wembley goals which got them promoted to the league in 2007, is set to miss out after taking a whack on the knee.

And Kyel Reid will need a fitness test on a dead leg.

Nahki Wells and Curtis Good both returned to the training ground yesterday after their recent illness but today’s game may come too soon.

Parkinson felt it was a particular blow for Newcastle defender Good, whose loan spell is up tomorrow.

He said: “It’s unfortunate for Curtis because he was going to start over Christmas. He’s a good player but obviously hasn’t been able to show that for one reason or another.

“Morecambe are what you expect in this division. They’ve not had a great run but they are a strong team with big central-midfielders and no-nonsense defenders.

“Apparently they were unlucky against Fleetwood recently and went to Chesterfield on Saturday and got a good result. We know we’ll be in a game.

“We want to brush what happened Saturday under the table. You do get funny results this time of the year, like Sheffield United getting beaten at home by Hartlepool, and there are reasons for that with the games coming quick and fast.

“We’ve got to make sure we concentrate and put in a committed performance and we will do.”

Despite the recent heavy rain, Morecambe have no plans for a pitch inspection and expect the game to go ahead.