FORGET January and focus on now – that’s the message from Julian Rhodes.

City have laid on free travel for fans to get to this weekend’s clash with third-placed Peterborough.

Having continued to strike a blank with his free-agent search, David Hopkin is eager to get to the transfer window to bolster the squad with fresh reinforcements.

But the Bantams still have eight league games to play before the end of the year.

With a seven-point gap to their target spot of 20th, Rhodes insists nobody can afford to look beyond the immediate fixture list.

“We’ve got to try to get to January and still be in touch,” said the former chairman.

“Everybody is talking about the next window but my message would be to forget January for now.

“Let’s focus on getting there first and what we have to do.

“It’s going to be difficult because obviously there is no transfer market or whatever.

“But the players we’ve got are showing enough to demonstrate that they can get us out of this.

“They need any bit of help possible. Confidence is a little low and the fans can play a massive part with that.”

City are hoping for a boisterous backing at London Road as supporters take advantage of the paid-for coach travel from West Yorkshire.

They have also introduced a £1 ticket offer for season-ticket holders for next week’s home clash with fellow strugglers Oxford.

Rhodes added: “The reason we’ve done this is simple. We’re in a mess.

“The players are doing their best to turn a corner in the last few games.

“I thought they were magnificent at Aldershot to dig out a draw like that in conditions that I have never seen a football game played in before.

“They really rolled their sleeves up and showed great determination – the 175 City fans who were there will verify that.

“If they keep on going like that, then the supporters can just give that little bit extra to help them get a few points on the board.

“I spoke to Phil Parkinson last week and he was saying that the supporters of Bradford are magnificent. When they get behind you, it’s like starting a game 1-0 up.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken advantage of the offer and all those who are going to the game to cheer the lads on. We just need as many as possible to get to Peterborough.”