STEPHEN Warnock admits it remains a tough challenge trying to pick up City’s spirits as their uncomfortable 2018 goes on.

The club are currently reporting season-ticket sales of 9,000 – a figure around 3,000 down on the same stage last year.

And the Bantams head for Blackpool on Saturday realistically needing to win at least six of their eight games left to sneak a play-off place that had looked a sure-fire bet going into January.

Warnock was one of the final arrivals under Stuart McCall when he signed on loan from Burton during the mid-season transfer window.

But City have won only once since that time, sinking to 11th, and the vastly-experienced defender has noticed confidence suffering within the squad.

He said: “It’s difficult when you come in and there are players around you struggling.

“You try to help them and give them that advice, but you can’t play the game for them. They have to build confidence back into themselves.

“Slowly but surely that’s what we’re trying to do but it is tough.

“The reason I came into the club in the first place was to be in the play-off places and hopefully get them promoted.

“That vision has not altered but obviously we’ve been on a bad run of form.”

Warnock had to adjust to the sudden change of manager within a fortnight of his arrival at Valley Parade.

It meant having to win over Simon Grayson – which he hopes he has done after regaining a starting slot against Gillingham and Blackburn.

He added: “It’s never nice when a change of manager happens.

“You’re brought in by one manager and then another comes in and his opinion of you is different.

“You have to work hard in training every day to try to prove him wrong and get back in the team.

“That’s part and parcel of football. Something the younger lads will learn throughout their career.

“I didn’t play for a few weeks, so whether the manager did like me or not, I’m not too sure.

“But that was where I got my head down. You understand that.

“You have to prove to the manager that he can trust what you are doing.

“I’ve tried to do that over the course of the last couple of months.”

Grayson has employed Warnock in midfield and wing-back roles as well as regular position at left back. But the 36-year-old is not bothered about being moved about.

“You get used to it with age,” he said. “You hope you understand the positions better.

“For me, it’s not a major issue. I’m just enjoying playing.

“You never know when your last game of football is going to be, so you enjoy every chance.”