THE air was cleared in the cramped confines of the Accrington away dressing room.

Now David Hopkin expects to see the result when City return to Valley Parade tomorrow to face Rochdale.

In the first of two home games in four days, the head coach wants to see how the side respond to his post-match blast.

“We need to make sure everybody takes on board what I say,” he said. “It’s about how players react now.

“I want a reaction – the fans want a reaction. I’ve said my piece.

“I’ll also speak to players individually and tell them why.

“If I think I’ve gone too far, I’ll be the first to apologise, if I don’t and I think I’m right, then I won’t.

“It’s up to them for a response now. That’s how it works.

“It’s a character-building thing now. Where we are in the league, I need players to respond.

“We’ll see who wants to go with you – the fans will see.”

It is a test of character for the Bantams as they continue to struggle in League One’s bottom four. That could change quickly with a win that would take them above the visitors.

Slip up again though and they are likely to face the wrath of a public, whose growing discontent with City’s owners is likely to spill on to the pitch.

Hopkin hopes he has been able to nip that in the bud after spelling out a few home truths in the wake of last week’s latest defeat.

He admitted: “The things I did say on Saturday had probably been boiling up for a few weeks.

“You’ve got to be careful. I don’t want to kill people but it’s getting to the stage now where I felt it needed to be said.

“Everybody needed to know the frustrations that I feel. Step up and either go with me or they don’t.

“I’ve had six weeks trying to sort it out as much as I can and it’s time now where I got a wee bit back.”

What he is desperate to see the back off are the “basic mistakes” which continue to puncture his hopes of dragging the Bantams away from the wrong end of the table.

The Accrington defeat, which left them only three points above bottom club Plymouth, was another Hopkin felt could have been avoided.

He added: “You look back at the games since I’ve been in charge.

“We could have another nine or 10 points and be sitting in the top half of the table.

“Different things go against you in games. I’m prepared to work to get us out of it.

“We’re not adrift. It’s not as if we’re getting beaten 4-0 or 5-0 and getting battered.

“Accrington probably had three clear chances during the game. Maybe there were a couple of half-chances late on but for the majority we were in it.

“But we look as if we need to score two goals to get a point. You score two, you should be winning the game 2-0.

“We’re not far away but sometimes it’s just that switching off, not expecting something and then before you know it you’ve conceded again.

“People talk about team selection and shape but it’s basic errors and lapses in concentration. That’s all it is.

“I had my say because I was frustrated and I hope the players will take it on the chin and respond.

“The fans will see who wants to dig us out of where we are.”