SIMON Grayson has used the unplanned hold-up in City's season to get to know the squad.

Playing only twice in his first month, the Bantams boss has had plenty of time to familiarise himself with the group.

Grayson said: "It's allowed us to do a bit more work on the training pitch. I'm starting to understand the players a lot more and what they are like, not just professionally but personally as well.

"What makes them tick? Who needs an arm round them and who needs a kick up the backside. Hopefully it will bear fruit from now to the end of the season."

Charlton are the only play-off rival to have played the same number of games as City, who have two in hand on Peterborough in sixth spot. But it will mean a run of midweek outings to the end of the season.

Grayson said: "Is it better to have points on the board or games in hand? People will look at it either way, depending on your position.

"Everybody saw the results at the weekend and probably thought the majority went in our favour. But all we can do is affect the next 12 games.

"Our schedule from now to the end of the season is going to be pretty full on and playing at different times to other teams around us, like Thursday nights and Monday nights.

"But that's part and parcel of being at a big club where fixtures get moved and games also get called off. We know what we need to do."

Alex Jones and Omari Patrick are added to the attacking options for the first of the three games City face without Charlie Wyke.

Patrick had been pencilled in for the squad against MK Dons until he felt his hamstring on Saturday morning.

Grayson does not want to hear any excuses about the Valley Parade pitch.

He said: "The pitch and any other circumstances don't stop the players from running round, chasing, winning tackles and second balls and giving everything for the shirt."