Nicky Law will try to button his lip to keep out of trouble with referees.

The Bantams boss faces a misconduct rap for his verbal attack on Rob Styles in the players' tunnel at half-time of the Wimbledon game.

Law has no plans to argue his case, which is likely to mean a fine and possible dug-out ban. And he intends to tone down his act with officials in future to avoid more punishment.

Law said: "If you make your feelings known and are a passionate person then you get punished for it. You have to weigh up the situation and realise it's a waste of time complaining.

"If it's not in your nature it's difficult to do but it's something I'm going to have to learn. I'll have to take a backward step and accept the decisions that they make, ignoring the fact they cost you games and cost you jobs.

"The old refs used to be able to talk to you. They gave you a bit of stick and you gave it back but that's all gone now.

"You can't talk to a referee any more - you get booked if you even look at them. So I'll have to stand back and take what's coming."

Law believes that encouraging more former players to pick up the whistle would create a better understanding about what goes on.

"I'm not saying if you've been a footballer that you'll be a better referee, just like it doesn't necessarily make you a better coach or manager. But if you have been in the game for 20-25 years and have played, then you do know exactly what goes on.

"You get the respect from players and know how to manage them because you know the temperament and the banter. Unfortunately the officials now don't appreciate that."

Law has another 12 days to reply to the FA charge or request a personal hearing. But he said: "There's no point, it would just be throwing good money away to pay for an appeal."

l Alan Combe was today celebrating a shock call-up into Scotland's squad for their friendly against England's World Cup opponents Nigeria. The on-loan City stopper is in the plans for Wednesday's clash at Pittodrie.

Combe had been named in a training squad for a practice match against his club Dundee United at Stirling on April 30. But now he has stepped up to replace Tottenham's Neil Sullivan in the senior team. The 26-year-old said: "The call came totally out the blue and obviously I'm very, very happy. It's a very pleasant surprise for me."