MARK Trueman feels a new City manager will inherit a confident team despite their FA Cup exit.

The Bantams were beaten 2-1 by Wycombe in the first-round tie at Valley Parade this afternoon – but ran the League One club close with a determined display.

Trueman, who took over from Kevin McDonald in caretaker charge for one game before next week’s expected appointment, said: “If somebody comes in, there’s obviously that clarity of having a manager in the building.

“But the players have applied themselves well with whoever has been in charge whether it’s me or Kev.

“Yes, the players could say they are a little bit unsettled but if you look at the performance levels today, they didn’t really look it.

“If a decision’s made this week, they are taking over a team who lost a game but are confident in their own abilities. If they perform at that level, they will win more games than they lose.

“It’s difficult as staff, fans and players when you look at the result. But look at the performance level in that second half.

“The stats say the story. We created 17 opportunities and, on another day, they would fall our way.”

Trueman was unhappy with both Wycombe goals as the Bantams trailed 2-0 at the break. Jamie Walker scored just after the hour as they rallied in the second half.

“It was difficult because you’re going in at half-time 2-0 down thinking that we’ve not done a lot wrong,” added Trueman.

“I felt the way we started the game was positive but obviously goals change games. We knew that we would always create chances and felt like we were causing them a threat.

“We’re disappointed in the manner we’ve conceded the goals with individual errors. They happen with the threat that Wycombe have got.

“But I think we dominated for long periods in the second half and were a little bit unlucky not to get another goal.

“We knew if we scored quite early then it might give us a chance of forcing a draw at least. I’ve got to praise the players for their performance.

“They felt the second half was one of the better performances they’ve had all season. We’re disappointed but we can take a lot of positives from today.”

Harry Chapman came off the bench to continue his return from his six-month absence.

Bobby Pointon was recalled to the starting line-up by Trueman but was taken off for the winger.

“There are times when you’ve got to pull Bobby back a little bit,” said Trueman.

“His performance levels can dip and that can affect confidence and we don’t want that to happen.

“I thought Bobby was great again. He was effective, he took the ball in tight areas, which is his attribute.

“But we’ve got to protect Bobby. There will be times when we have to pull him out the squad but he knows the reasons behind that.”