City are braced for a Valley Parade battle tomorrow – to win over their own fans.

Three defeats on the trot have left Peter Taylor’s side desperately chasing three points against Burton.

But James Hanson admits that they may have to get the home crowd onside first.

The big striker fears there might be a negative reaction to the recent slump, so the Bantams cannot afford a cold start.

Hanson said: “We might get a reaction from the crowd which could actually work in our favour.

“They could boo us early doors, which we might have to expect.

“But if one shot goes in or there’s an early shot on target, then I’m sure they’ll get right behind us again. So it’s important we are at it straight away.

“It could go either way but hopefully they’ll support us and we can get the win which we all need.”

Hanson accepts that the pressure is on as City slip down the table – a poor run which has left them looking over their shoulder as much as at the sides above.

He said: “Let’s not kid ourselves. The teams below us have got games in hand as well.

“We’re all disappointed with the way it’s gone. It’s frustrating but we’ve just got to get ourselves out of this.

“You try and give it your all whenever you play for Bradford. But any home game is extra special when we’ve got 10,000 people behind us.

“Hopefully they will gee us on and we can pick up a win so we can look forward to Crewe next week.

“It’s a good way to sort us out, with games coming thick and fast, and if we can beat Burton, the confidence will come straight back.”

City’s big problem remains the chronic shortage of goals. The tally of just 22 is the second-lowest in League Two and they fired another blank at Aldershot on Tuesday.

Hanson, who has netted only twice in the league, said: “I didn’t think we did too badly the other night and we created a few chances.

“Tom (Adeyemi) had a shot well saved and then I stuck a leg out and the ball just went the wrong side of the post.

“If that had gone in, it would have been a totally different game. Unfortunately those things just aren’t going for us at the moment.

“It was exactly the same at Oxford when Omar (Daley) had the chance to make it 2-0. If we’d taken those, then we could have had two wins on the bounce instead.

“I don’t think Aldershot created too much and if we’d got the lead, it could have been comfortable.

“The trouble is that when it’s not going for you and you go a goal behind, you know it’s going to be difficult.

“We know there haven’t been enough goals from the team. All we can do is get our heads down in training and work on it even more.

“We’ve got to keep creating opportunities and obviously work on our finishing. Hopefully once one goes in, a few more will follow.”

Hanson is ready to go another round with Darren Moore. The former Bantam bruiser left his mark on the City frontman in Burton’s 3-0 win at the Pirelli Stadium in October.

Hanson laughed: “He manhandled me that game, ripping my shirt and all sorts. Darren Moore is a big brute but I’ll do my best as always.”

Ironically, City will also line up against a striker that they tried to bring to Valley Parade in October.

Calvin Zola is expected to make his Burton debut after signing on loan from Crewe until the end of the season.

The Congolese frontman, who scored a wonder goal at City last term, was believed to be a strong target for Peter Taylor.

Zola will replace 13-goal top scorer Shaun Harrad, who is expected to seal a move to Northampton.

Burton have struggled on their travels with only one win in nine attempts. Only Barnet have got less away points – but City will need no reminding where they broke their victory duck a fortnight ago.