RICHARD O’Donnell admits City have not been strong enough mentally as their early-season struggles go on.

The Bantams are now third from bottom after losing for the fifth time in a row.

City left Doncaster on Saturday feeling hard-done by from the 2-1 loss – with referee Martin Coy in the firing line for turning down a convincing penalty shout.

O’Donnell can see improvement in the performances since David Hopkin came in.

And despite the losing run, the keeper feels they have stepped up a gear compared with the games under Michael Collins.

O’Donnell said: “Everyone’s affected confidence-wise. You’re not human if you don’t feel it after losing five games in a row.

“We’re going to be a little bit low. But we’ve got a very small group right now and the lads are working really hard to put things right and do what the gaffer wants.

“Since he’s come in, you can see the work rate, the energy and commitment has been there.

“If I’m being honest, I think that has been lacking earlier on in the season.

“That’s now down to Micky or Martin (Drury), that’s down to the players. That’s a player mentality.”

City were furious not to be given a penalty at the start of the second half after Eoin Doyle was pushed over by defender Joe Wright.

But they also failed to make the most of several promising openings before sub George Miller did pull one back.

O’Donnell added: “We feel we deserved something but at the minute we’re getting punished for anything.

“We’re not doing enough in both boxes – you can’t concede two goals and expect to get something out of it. We’re giving ourselves too much to do.

“But we also had chances at 0-0 and should have had the penalty. I watched it back afterwards and it’s a stonewall one for me.”

Tomorrow’s Checkatrade Trophy clash with Everton’s academy starts a hectic run of three successive midweek games to further test City’s injury-hit resources.

Skipper Josh Wright and Kelvin Mellor are due back in training but Hopkin does not expect to see any fresh options added to his squad for at least another week.

O’Donnell said: “There’s no blame at all. The gaffer thinks we can be fitter so we’ve been working really hard.

“It’s going to be difficult now because we’ve got Saturday and Tuesday games for the next three weeks with a small group of players.

“We’ve got to be careful we don’t pick up any more injuries. But some people are coming back and the competition for places will be a boost when it happens.

“I know the fans are frustrated with the players saying the same old things after games. I get that.

“It’s difficult when we’re losing but we have to stick together. There is a belief in the group we can turn it round and we’ve just got to keep that.”

Hopkin remains confident City will emerge from their current rut.

“Things aren’t going for us at this moment in time,” said the head coach.

“But that’s when you need a mental toughness. Hopefully all the Bradford fans stay with us.

“It’s going to be five or six weeks once everybody is back. Then I’ve got a really good squad of players to choose from.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m always up for one and I’m sure I’ll get it right.”