A week of soul-searching on the City training ground will sort out the men from the boys, according to Simon Ramsden.

Just a month into the season, the Port Vale home game on Saturday has taken on huge significance after three defeats from the first four games.

Peter Taylor was furious over their limp loss to Southend, and injured skipper Ramsden predicted a demanding period ahead for the squad.

He said: “The performance on Friday wasn’t to the level that’s expected for Bradford City. So starting on Saturday, we’ve got to be brave – every one of us.

“We’ve got to go out there and show some fight. This is where you’ll see the men from the boys.

“It’s not just about playing well with the ball. You’ve got to get the nasty things right like getting about teams and putting your foot in there – we didn’t do that at times on Friday.

“Fans will cheer you and clap you off if everyone’s given their all. They don’t mind even if it hasn’t come off as long as the effort’s there – you saw that against Preston.

“The crowd were very upset on Friday and booed the team off and you can understand where they are coming from. At times we didn’t look like the home side because Southend had a lot of possession.

“I’m sure the gaffer will be working on it all week because we can’t have another performance like that.”

Ramsden is easing his way back from a torn calf and hoped to get the all-clear to start running again today.

Being stuck on the sidelines while City struggle just increases his personal frustration.

“I really wish I was back but you’ve got to be careful with a tear. Sometimes it might feel fine but one sprint too many and you’re back to square one.

“It’s going to be a long, hard week on the training ground for everyone. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of what’s gone wrong and put it right for Saturday.

“It’s the inconsistency that’s so frustrating for the fans and ourselves. We played very well in the cup against Forest and Preston, two sides who on paper are a lot better than us.

“Then, although we got a victory against Stevenage, we produced a very disappointing performance and it was the same on Friday.

“Let’s hope it’s a different story on Saturday and we can prove what a good side we are.

“We’ve definitely got the players capable of doing it, even if it didn’t look like that on Friday.”