THEY were nearly another set of City history-makers – for all the wrong reasons.

If you think David Hopkin’s present side are in a rut, think back to the class of 2002.

Fresh from the first administration, the Bantams under Nicky Law were rapidly sliding down the second-tier table after going two months without a win.

Seven straight defeats leading into mid-December had put them within one of equalling a sorry club record dating back to 1933.

The omens were not good. Next up at Valley Parade were a Nottingham Forest side with promotion ambitions and boasting the top scorer in the country in David Johnson.

“We’d got hammered by them not long before,” recalled midfielder Claus Jorgensen.

“They were in really good form and Johnson was scoring for fun.

“But football proves to you again and again that things can turn round in the weirdest games.

“We were aware of some horrible record that we might equal. But in a funny way, when that’s hanging over you, you can play with a bit more freedom.

“That’s why, at the moment, Hopkin has to show what he can do as a manager psychologically because players need lifting.”

Robert Molenaar’s bullet header – the first goal City had scored from a corner that season – was the catalyst of a remarkable recovery.

City held on for the 1-0 victory and won four of their next six games, ultimately staying up relatively comfortably.

Jorgensen, who went on a remarkable scoring run of his own in the second half of that season, understands how tough it must be for the present team stuck at the foot of League One.

But he feels the side of 16 years ago are proof that you can pull out of the mire.

He added: “I know what it’s like when confidence is so low. You look round the changing room wondering where a bit of spark will come from.

“You wonder who will take charge. You try everything you can but when the morale is shot, it gets so difficult.

“When you’re low on confidence, the bounce of the ball will affect you.

“I don’t believe it when people say that luck goes against you when you are bottom of the table. It just hits you more than when you are at the top.

“If you’re going well, you don’t think about it and just carry on. But at the bottom, it just eats away at your sub-conscious.

“The type of character you are shows how much it affects you. It is very hard but you must keep going – because it will change.”

The key for Jorgensen is maintaining a positive environment, however difficult that will be as results continue to plummet.

“Players need lifting, not just on the training pitch but with how you communicate around the place,” he said.

“The younger players are looking to the more experienced ones, who might be struggling with their own performance.

“But that’s where your character comes in. First and foremost, you must prepare yourself right to play your game but then you have to help others.

“Whether it’s talking about the game or just being relaxed about things and having fun to ease people’s nerves.

“I’ve had managers when we’ve been on bad runs and you go into training expecting to get told off – and they come in bright and bubbly. That can really lift you.”