CITY'S mindset will not be affected by dropping out of the top six, Simon Grayson insisted today.

Their free weekend, combined with wins for Saturday's opponents Plymouth and Charlton, saw the Bantams drop to eighth spot in League One – the first time they have been out of the play-off places in nearly six months.

Yet Grayson sees no change in the dynamic facing his new team and wants them to embrace the thrill of the chase over the remainder of the season.

"When you've lost a number of games that we have on the bounce, then it's always going to be difficult to stay in the play-offs," he said.

"And when people are playing catch-up with games in hand, it obviously can knock you out as it has done.

"But I don't think it changes anything from a mental point of view for us.

"We still want to win as many matches from now and the end of the season anyway. That hasn't changed.

"Our aim is to now get back into the play-offs, when originally it was to stay in there and catch the teams above.

"But it doesn't change anything of our outlook of what we wanted to do and needed to do."

City returned to training yesterday after an extended break as they prepare for the Home Park trip to face a Plymouth side who have won five on the bounce.

With no game themselves, Grayson felt it was the right thing to do to give the players three days off.

"One or two had the chance to get the legs rested up and we did pick up a couple of niggles from last Tuesday night at Charlton," he said.

"There have also been players who haven't been playing lately as well.

"So, it did come at a good time. The extra few days have given us that chance to get focused mentally now for the rest of the season."