SIMON Grayson today reminded Stuart McCall's coaching staff that they still have a big part to play in City's play-off push.

The new boss opened his account with a battling 1-1 draw at Charlton on Tuesday night thanks to substitute Tyrell Robinson's equaliser.

Grayson and assistant Glynn Snodin were joined in the dugout by Kenny Black, McCall's former number two, Greg Abbott and the rest of the backroom team – although the club's head of recruitment Abbott was sent to the stands for arguing with an assistant referee.

The Bantams chief insists he values the knowledge of the existing staff and intends to use that to his benefit in the run-in to the end of the season.

Abbott and Black, who were in caretaker charge against Bury on Saturday, again picked the starting line-up for Grayson at the Valley.

Grayson said: "A lot of credit has to go to Kenny and Greg. They felt that team was the right way to go and I didn't know enough about the players and how they were feeling physically and mentally.

"I was more than happy to keep the staff right from the off when I spoke to Edin (Rahic). I brought Glynn in, I know Greg anyway and I know Kenny a little bit.

"We said that if they want to stay, they can stay; if they don't, then they can leave. But I don't want to make wholesale changes because I haven't got time to do that.

"It's about eating into their knowledge and good experience of coaches and managers of the past that know far more about this group of players than I do.

"I've been out of League One for three or four years now. I've got an idea of the players but I don't know what makes them tick.

"Hopefully I will do over the next few weeks when we really hit the ground running."

Grayson, who will be officially unveiled at Valley Parade today, has nine days to get to know his squad before the next game at in-form Plymouth.

Yet the comeback at Charlton has provided a timely fillip as the players become more familiar with their new manager's methods.

Grayson said: "It's a great boost for us. It's very difficult psychologically to keep picking yourself up if you are conceding and losing games.

"Confidence is a major thing in any sport, for the individual and collectively as a team.

"It's something we're trying to instil back into them and give them that belief they are good players for a reason.

"One of the things we've spoken about is not having any regrets come the end of the season. If they don't get promoted, then at least make sure that you've given everything.

"And if you're going to have a blip, have it in January, because there's no time to recover in March or April.

"We've got 13 games left to try and still get promoted. There are going to be lots of twists and turns, with results like teams at the bottom winning when you least expect them to. But that's the nature of this division."