DAVID Hopkin admits City’s summer recruitment policy “has left a lot to be desired.”

As the Bantams prepare for tomorrow’s crucial home clash with fellow strugglers Oxford, the head coach has publicly taken aim at the unbalanced make-up of the squad that he picked up.

Hopkin is continuing to firm up his transfer plans for the January window – and aims to have several new faces in time for the Accrington game on New Year’s Day.

The City chief insists there will be no time to waste in his bid to rework a group that is light in certain areas.

“You’ve got to look at the recruitment,” he said, when asked about his side’s problems in front of goal. “We’ve got no wingers.

“People keep asking about Eoin Doyle but he’s not getting any supply. Recruitment has left a lot to be desired.

“I’m still picking teams where I’m three or four players short of how I want to play. The fans have got to be patient with that.

“We’ve got to try and find systems to fit people who we can play in the team and make a structure. It is difficult but these things will change once January comes.”

Former head of recruitment Greg Abbott left the club last week and Hopkin has been given full control of the transfer policy.

He is lining up January targets so that he can press the button once the market reopens.

He added: “There’s nothing else I can do. I work tirelessly to try and get players in.

“It’s making sure that come January time, people are ready to come in.

“I’m hoping there’s new signings in the team when we play on January 1.

“I’m not going to wait until the window opens and then try and get players in. It needs to be done so they can play in that first game.

“Hopefully there’s four or five new faces in the team that day. That’s all I can do.

“I’m not being detrimental to the players. It’s the recruitment and the way it’s been done and these things make it difficult.”

Centre forward Doyle has scored three times since his arrival on the same day that City sold Charlie Wyke to Sunderland – just once from open play.

He had a header cleared off the line against Aldershot in midweek and saw two efforts ruled out for offside.

Hopkin is desperate to get him some support but appreciates the tough task the Irishman is facing in the meantime.

He said: “Eoin is working for the team. People’s own desire to score goals has maybe taken a back seat just now because of where we are.

“All strikers are frustrated, not just Eoin but George Miller and David Ball.

“There are other people who need to start sharing them about.

“I think teams playing against us know we have strikers who can score. They are probably trying that bit harder every time they play because they know Eoin’s record at other clubs.

“We need to get some more players in who can complement and help them along.

“For the next six or seven weeks, everybody needs to get their head down and work for the team. Hopefully we can pick up results because that’s the main thing now.

“I think things will change and once we get a few results you’ll probably see a lot more relaxed strikers playing.”