Beating Grimsby should be all that matters to you, Wayne Jacobs today told City.

While joint-chairmen Jul-ian Rhodes and Mark Lawn began a second day of managerial interviews, the players are primed for their first game without Stuart McCall.

The squad is naturally as keen as the fans to discover the identity of their next boss.

But Jacobs, in temporary charge, will make sure all minds are fixed on tomorrow’s Valley Parade clash.

Former Hull boss Peter Taylor is understood to be among the candidates currently being considered by the club.

Taylor can boast an impressive CV with five promotions, including success at Gillingham, Brighton and Hull where he enjoyed back-to-back triumphs.

He steered Wycombe out of League Two last season but was sacked in October after winning only one of the first 13 games.

A former England under-21 coach, Taylor even gave David Beckham his debut as captain when he led the senior team for one game against Italy.

Peter Jackson, Russell Slade, Steve Cotterill, Lawrie Sanchez, Ronnie Jepson, Jim Magilton, Dean Windass and John Coleman are other names thought to be in the frame. An announcement is not expected until next week.

The off-field activities could present a distraction on it as City look for that elusive first home win since October. But Jacobs maintains that will not be the case.

He said: “I personally have worked hard to lead and keep their focus while all this is going on. The truth is they cannot affect it.

“They should hold those thoughts and put them to one side because they’re not going to help you one bit.

“There’s an old saying that you won’t add a single hour to life by worrying.

“People should concentrate on what they can affect. As a group make sure you are playing and training to the best of your ability.

“That will count next week, that will count the week after, whoever’s here. Don’t worry about the periphery because that takes care of itself.

“We’ll let the people in charge, the two chairmen and the board, look after that. We’re just going to focus on Grimsby – that’s the priority.”

Jacobs, who has been helped by David Wetherall, had one previous game in charge in November 2003. City lost 1-0 at Stoke before Bryan Robson came in.

Jacobs will relish the chance to lead the side again tomorrow.

He added: “I’m temporarily in charge of Bradford City, a club a lot of people would love to be in charge of, if only for three days.

“I haven’t thought behind that. It’s about getting a good result and everyone being determined to apply ourselves right.

“Trying to think a little bit differently from an assistant has been a challenge.

“But the staff have all pulled together and mucked in and the players have worked very hard in difficult circumstances.

“The boys deserve to win. Their attitude has been fantastic and obviously it would be a nice one for Stuart.”

Jacobs will not give off any hints if he plans a change in formation or tactics from McCall. But he has called for the fans to back the side he sends out.

“Teams can’t be all things to all men.

“Everybody has their opinions on what the side should be, within the club and outside, whether it’s the players or the system we should use.

“All I ask is that if their favourite player isn’t picked or it isn’t a system that you want, to hold those feelings. Get behind the lads 100 per cent.

“The crowd have been magnificent for Stuart and we need to be one voice.

“It’s like when a family is going through a bit of trouble. Everybody pulls together.”