SIMON Grayson reckons the run of postponements early in his City reign hindered their chances of building any play-off momentum.

Tuesday’s win over Portsmouth was only his second in nine games since taking charge.

But coming on the back of the draw with third-placed Shrewsbury, City continue to bounce back from the recent 5-0 thrashing at Blackpool.

The Bantams have games in hand on the sides above them after the run of cancelled home games. But they are still seven points off the final play-off spot.

Grayson feels that “stop-start” run, when three matches were called off in the space of five weeks, has held back their progress.

He said: “I wanted to have an immediate impact but that stop-start nature of the games being on and off probably worked against us.

“We’ve always mentioned if we can get a run of games and training sessions going, you can get some momentum and fluidity in what you try to do.

“We’re all frustrated because we’ve not been able to do that with the games being called off and training sessions not being easy to do.

“But we’ve said all along, regardless of if we’re going to get in the play-offs or not, the players have to play for their futures and give the supporters something.

“They can’t let the season peter out. Whatever happens you have to make sure it finishes positively for next year.”

City’s hopes of sneaking into the top six remain slim even with the extra games to play.

But after three games without a goal, they scored three to beat in-form Portsmouth and Grayson can see the players starting to respond to his methods.

He added: “I’ve wanted them to be more positive since I’ve been here.

“I don’t discourage players from shooting, crossing the ball and passing it.

“But do it in the right areas. I don’t want people trying to go past six players when there is a better option to somebody else or shooting from 40 yards.

“They are learning how we work and we keep stressing about standards and having to finish the season positively for next year, regardless of whether we get into the play-offs or not.

“They showed good character. We had some good leaders out there as in demanding it from the younger players, who also stood up.

“People like Callum Guy and Tim Dieng showed what they are capable of doing.”

Grayson is also hoping that top scorer Charlie Wyke is back on the goal trail. He netted for the first time in over two months to take his tally to 15 for the season.

The City boss said: “Charlie led the line extremely well. Him and (Kai) Bruenker were a real handful in the 50-60 minutes they worked together.

“He’s another player who had not trained since last Thursday because of a bad hip. He had a fitness test on the morning of the game.

“But hopefully that goal will spark him again. Let’s hope so.”