Phil Parkinson insists they all shoulder the blame for City’s JPT no-show at Hartlepool.

The Bantams aim to bounce straight back against Brentford – their toughest League One challenge to date according to the manager.

But as Parkinson looks for a suitable response to the 5-0 flop at Victoria Park, he also admitted that everyone should take the fall-out.

He said: “I’m not just blaming the lads who played at Hartlepool. It’s everyone – the staff as well as all those who didn’t play.

“We’ve had a lot of success and we all take the credit. We have a bad night and we all take the blame – we take collective responsibility.”

After cancelling Wednesday’s day off, Parkinson sat the squad down yesterday for a meeting to clear the air and discuss what went wrong.

“We know it wasn’t good enough but those performances have been few and far between. Obviously we’ve got to analyse it and deal with it and I feel we have done.

“Let’s not look at things through rose-coloured spectacles too much. Last year we had some bad defeats, like conceding four at Dagenham and Rotherham, and we had to refocus the group.

“Now we need to do that again after Tuesday. I’ve reminded the lads what we’re all about as a group.

“It’s a disappointing result, no question about it, but you look at the reasons and try to correct them.”

Tomorrow’s visit from last season’s losing play-off finalists offers an immediate chance of atonement. City gave Brentford two close tussles in the FA Cup and Parkinson is confident they can rise to the occasion once more.

He said: “Brentford are a good side and probably one of the better teams in the league.

“But we played them twice last year in the cup games and know what to expect.

“I’m looking for us to put in a really good performance – a typical Bradford City performance. I want us to play in the manner that reflects what we are all about as a group of people.”

Rory McArdle’s late call-up from Northern Ireland has threatened to disrupt City’s planning. Matt Taylor is likely to get the chance to redeem himself after his poor showing in midweek, although Carl McHugh is also in the reckoning.

McArdle’s absence is not cut and dried, however. Irish boss Michael O’Neill, whose team take on Portugal in Belfast tonight, has told Parkinson that he might still be available to play for City if their injuries clear up in time.

City have picked up eight points from their first five games in League One – a decent haul for a promoted side.

Parkinson said: “We’re in a really good position in the league and we’ve started the season well.

“Stevenage was a tough one last week on a boiling hot day. We were a bit stretched as a team in the first half but then we responded great.

“On paper, Brentford will represent the hardest game so far but we’ve adapted well and we’re determined to keep pushing on.

“But you’ve got to be on your game. Tuesday showed us that if you’re not and you’re open as a team, then you get punished.”