SIMON Grayson reckons City can home in on the top six again by using Valley Parade as a launchpad.

The Bantams host their next three games, although Saturday's visit from Portsmouth will hinge on this week's wintry blast suddenly easing off in time.

With MK Dons and Wigan to follow in an 11-day spell, City have a potential hat-trick of home dates to force their way back into the League One play-off mix.

Grayson wants to cash in on that advantage by getting Valley Parade "rocking" again.

Peterborough's win on Tuesday night, prior to appointing Steve Evans as manager, knocked City down a spot to ninth.

But as the new City boss looks forward to his first home outing in charge, he is banking on the crowd to maintain a vibrant backdrop.

"We don't want supporters to come to Valley Parade and feel sorry for themselves," said Grayson.

"Our season isn't over. We have 12 games and 36 points still to play for.

"We must have that positive atmosphere and, all of a sudden, that place can get rocking. It can really intimidate the opposition.

"We've got teams to play in and around us and we've got home games. Let's have a right good go."

The covers have remained on the pitch throughout the snow and sub-zero temperatures generated by the icy weather front currently gripping the country.

But City were forced to cancel training yesterday because of the arctic conditions.

Grayson, who has overseen a draw and defeat in his first two games, admits the key to reversing their recent fortunes is to get the players feeling good about themselves.

He said: "We're trying to implement ideas very quickly. We've got to make small steps but make things happen a little bit quicker because we've only got 12 games to go.

"I'm fully aware what we need to do. In an ideal world, the (transfer) window would still to be open, we could get some players in and change things around.

"But I knew that wasn't going to be the case when I came. We've got to get the belief into the players.

"Tell them to play with belief and urgency – the next victory is very close around the corner. That can hopefully lead to a run of results for us.

"The players have got to trust themselves. We reiterate to the players before every training session, before the game and at half-time that they are a good group who have done very well.

"They've just got to get back to where they were.

"We haven't got a magic wand that will suddenly make us turn up and win ten or 11 on the trot. You've got a lot of other things to deal with in terms of the mentality and quality.

"But what we can do is have a right go, not feel sorry for ourselves and give everyone the best opportunity of what is still achievable."