David Wetherall isn't interested in trivia, bungling referees or excuses. All that matters is the business of getting City a victory - immediately.

Skipper Wetherall is the only survivor in either side from the last time City faced Crewe in the FA Cup.

That was on December 11, 1999 when, under Paul Jewell's command, the Bantams won a third-round clash 2-1 at Gresty Road.

Until last year, it was also the club's last FA Cup victory full stop.

People of a weaker nature may cling on to that fact as some sort of omen for struggling City, who are searching for a first win since September.

But no-nonsense Wetherall has no time for that, nor reminiscing.

"I can't remember a thing about it," he says, before being pushed further by the information that Dean Saunders netted the winner.

"I vaguely remember Dean scoring but not too much about the game. It doesn't matter."

Neither does the fact City won emphatically there just three months ago in a League One fixture. It might as well be seven years, like that FA Cup triumph.

Wetherall recalled: "It was a totally different situation. We were doing well and Crewe were struggling. Now the tables have turned."

When rampant City swept past Dario Gradi's men 3-0, all the talk was of promotion after a swashbuckling start. But the mood is far darker now and losing in the last minute to Brighton last week was the latest hammer blow to their confidence.

Cup action may offer welcome relief from City's league misery but Wetherall said: "The run we've been on, it doesn't matter what competition it is tomorrow. We need a win, whether it comes in the league or cup or whatever. That is needed to lift the spirits of this football club and help get us back into the form early in the season.

"It was a big disappointment against Brighton. Having been two down, we got back to 2-2 and thought we were going to go on and win the game.

"But we were probably guilty of pushing on too much and lost that shape to get caught on the break. Now we need to get a win tomorrow.

"Crewe have been scoring a lot of goals recently and play a very open game. They also concede a lot, so it should be an entertaining match whatever happens."

Meanwhile, the centre half has revealed his amazement at being booked - for acting as peacemaker when City and Brighton players squared up after the half-time whistle had been blown.

Wetherall said: "It was puzzling. Steve Schumacher and their lad (Adam El-Abd) were shoving each other and I went to split them up. But the ref said I did it too hard and booked me. I told him next time I'll just let them get on with it and forget it."

THE OPPOSITION

Crewe will be without free-scoring teen sensation Nicky Maynard but welcome back Premiership veteran Neil Cox to bolster their cause at the other end.

Striker Maynard has set League One alight this season, grabbing ten goals in just 17 games during his first full campaign.

But the 19-year-old was stretchered off with a hamstring injury during the success over Port Vale last weekend and is now expected to be missing for a number of weeks.

However, boss Dario Gradi can call on Cox's vast experience to strengthen his backline.

Now aged 35, the former Middlesbrough, Bolton and Watford centre half is not as sprightly as during his younger days but he is a vital member of the Crewe side and returns after a three-match absence.

He partners loanee Danny O'Donnell, 20, who has been given clearance this week from parent club Liverpool to feature in the FA Cup.

Alex are 12th in League One, three places above City but equally as unpredictable.

They have enjoyed some big cup nights already this season, having beaten Wigan 2-0 in the Carling Cup first round.

Gradi's men then gave Manchester United an almighty scare, with the former European champions needing a desperate late effort in the final minute of extra-time to avoid a penalty shoot-out at Gresty Road.

Wigan and Manchester United are one thing but Rotherham is another. Crewe were hammered there 5-1 last month and consistency has been a problem, although they received a massive fillip last weekend when Luke Rodgers grabbed a dramatic last-minute penalty winner against Vale.

Ahead of tomorrow's match-up, Gradi said: "Bradford will be a tricky tie for us. We'd have preferred someone different but we've got them and now must get on with it the best we can."