GOING in this Saturday's National League North clash against Gloucester City, Bradford (Park Avenue) boss Mark Bower is looking for a response from his players after a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Curzon Ashton last weekend.

"It was a disappointing defeat on the whole," said manager Mark Bower. "I thought we could have squeezed something out of it at the end but we didn't deserve it.

"We need to get back on track on Saturday and get some points on the board."

Bower said that Park Avenue's form in the past few weeks has been "up and down".

"We win one and then we lose one. We just need to get back to winning games and pulling away from the bottom of the table.

"We need to get back to doing the things that have been getting us results over the last couple of months."

"We need to be resolute without the ball and difficult to break down. We have to get more solid and sound in defence.

"We've also been wasteful in possession. We need to be getting our attacking players on the ball so they can create and score goals."

With a busy week of the season coming up, starting with Gloucester City this Saturday, then Blythe Spartans on Tuesday followed by top of the table Gateshead next Saturday, Bower said there could be changes to the Park Avenue side over the three games.

"It's the back end of the season with players carrying knocks and strains, so our options are really useful to us.

"One player that has been a welcome return to the side is striker Oli Johnson, who returned from a groin injury and came on for the last 20 minutes against Curzon Ashton.

"He came on and turned the game in our favour," said Bower. "Oli has been playing well. He's an important player for us."

Bower also said that Mitchell Lund also made a welcome return from injury last Saturday as well.

With the transfer deadline not far away, Bower said the club has its eye on one or two new players.

"But nothing is imminent and there will no new signings for us by this weekend."

One new addition for Park Avenue, however, was the return of the 'Bus Stop' stand behind the goal, which was back in place for the Curzon Ashton game last Saturday.

"The 'Bus Stop' behind the goal is very popular with out younger supporters," said Bower. "When we installed the 3G pitch it was taken away.

"After it was take apart, it's now been rebuilt and it was back up on Saturday.

"It's not the biggest stand in the world but it generates a big atmosphere.

Looking ahead to this Saturday's game against Gloucester City, Bower said he wants his team to "be back at it" for the full 90 minutes

"They play really good football," Bower said of Gloucester. "They are a well drilled and well organised side

"They've had some good results in recent weeks

"They are all really tough games in this division."

With Park Avenue in 16th place on 33 points and Gloucester City in 18th on 29 points (having played one game more), Bower said that "both teams will be approaching the game in a similar fashion.

He said: "It's an opportunity to put three points on the board and pull away from the bottom of the table."