Peter Taylor has called City’s new year starting point “embarrassing” – and blasted the attitude of some modern-day players.

The Bantams will kick off 2011 at Lincoln tomorrow just five points off the relegation zone in 16th spot.

Taylor met the two chairmen yesterday to discuss his plans for the January transfer window but those options will have been curtailed by the team’s lowly position and early-bird season-ticket sales not approaching the club’s forecast.

The City boss admits that results like Tuesday’s 4-0 thumping at Cheltenham impact on the finances – and wants the players to be more aware of the consequences.

He said: “I’m a little bit embarrassed that the team aren’t in a higher position.

“I had a chat with the board and I’m sure there will be some decisions made after tomorrow’s game and I’ll be talking to individuals. But Tuesday didn’t do us any favours and didn’t do season-ticket sales any favours. That’s where I think the players have got to be more responsible.

“The money they receive each month doesn’t come out of the air. It comes from somewhere and it would be much easier to get paid if we’d got a cracking win and sold another 1,000 season tickets.

“Players have got to realise this is the real world and how important match day is. They enjoy their life and love telling everyone they are a professional footballer.

“I bet they can’t wait for someone to ask them what they do for a living. They love it and quite rightly so.

“But there’s also a bit more to that. These very successful pro footballers are the ones who do it absolutely spot on every day of the week.

“Players need to know how tough it is out there. There are other clubs probably struggling even more than us.

“I’m sure the majority have a good idea but others just think about what’s happening next week and nothing else.”

Taylor will shuffle the pack again at Sincil Bank. Steve Williams will start at the back and Shane Duff could also feature in his first game since October.

As the campaign approaches halfway, the City chief is still waiting for his side to show their true potential. But he feels the six-point gap to the play-offs can be bridged.

Taylor added: “I’m a little bit embarrassed that the team aren’t in a higher position. I do honestly know that the squad we’ve got here, if everybody was fit, would easily be in a play-off position.

“Unfortunately we’ve had players that haven’t performed the way we expect, we’ve had injuries, we’ve had some who are not as fit as they should be and we’ve had people who have under-performed in games.

“But I still believe that the minute we get our house in order we will be a good team. And I maintain we are good enough to give our crowd something to cheer about.

“Ability wise, this group is good enough. They want to do well but we haven’t been able to put that brilliant run together.”