CITY face a massive test of character to win back their angry fans, admitted Gary Bowyer.

The under-pressure Bantams boss faced calls for him to go during Saturday’s dismal 3-0 defeat at Mansfield.

His team could not manage a single shot on target against opponents without a home win in over three months.

There were boos at the final whistle and players faced further stick when they went to applaud the travelling support.

City are still in the play-off places but slipped down to seventh ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against Cheltenham, who are two points behind them with two games in hand.

Bowyer knows that Valley Parade will be no place for the faint-hearted as the fans demand a response to revive the fading promotion hopes.

“We’ve said all along that you have to have a strong mentality to play for Bradford City,” he said.

“That’s exactly what we will see tomorrow night. We have to come out fighting.

“I don’t think there’s been many times this season where we’ve felt like this or spoke like this. It will be really good to see what mentality we do have in the dressing room.”

Bowyer hauled his squad in for extra training yesterday as they went through the video of their Field Mill flop. City have now gone five games since their last win on New Year’s Day.

Bowyer hauled his squad back in for extra training yesterday as they went through the video of their Field Mill flop. City have now five games since their last win on New Year’s Day.

Bowyer, who said he understood the flak he got from the crowd, added: “The beauty is that another game comes round very, very quickly.

“After the anger and frustration that we are obviously feeling at the moment, we have a chance to go and put that right.

“Every game from now on is a big one. You want to try to take all three points and tomorrow night presents another opportunity.

“But we’ve got to be a load better than we were.”

Bowyer dismissed any suggestion that City might have taken Mansfield lightly. The Stags had the worst home record in the entire EFL going into the game.

“There was none of that from us,” he said. “We did our prep and told the players exactly what to expect – they knew anyway because of the short turnaround from the last time we played them.

“I thought one or two certain individuals kept going and kept working hard.

“I felt sorry for the front two, if I’m being honest, because they were trying to make something happen. They didn’t get enough quality service.

"But the goals were ridiculously soft. The first one he gets a free header in the penalty box uncontested.

“Then the second is the same from a corner, when you’ve got to mark your man.

“When you see the manner of the third one as well, it just wasn’t good enough as well."

Jamie Devitt and Clayton Donaldson came off the bench and may see more involvement against Cheltenham. City will also have James Vaughan available again.

Bowyer said: "It doesn’t help when your captain is suspended for two games. But that’s his suspension up now and he comes into contention.”