SAM Stubbs says City’s season is approaching crunch time as he gears up for more battle scars at Accrington.

The Bantams are seven points behind the play-offs going into the final 12 games.

With a flurry of fixtures to come, Stubbs insists the clock is ticking.

“There’s no hiding from it,” he said. “After the next two or three weeks, you’re going to know where you are.

“We go Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Friday, Monday, Saturday, Tuesday … there’s going to be no time to rest.

“This is a pivotal moment in the season and the boys get that. There’s definitely a hunger around the place.

“There was a real disappointment about the other night just being a draw. It’s going into crunch time.”

City’s stumbling draw with Doncaster at Valley Parade has cranked up the importance for three points at manager-less Accrington this afternoon.

Stubbs added: “The league is mental this year. The boys at the top are on their own a little bit but it feels like nobody wants to pull away with the final few play-off spots.

“It’s going to come down to whoever has a good run. Someone always does and jumps in there at the end and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

It will be Stanley’s first game since John Coleman was sacked last weekend. But Stubbs expects the home side to still bear the stamp of their long-time leader.

“I think a little bit of him will always live on at Accrington because of the work he’s done there.

“I know John Doolan who has taken over and has worked with him for a long time. I’d imagine it will be similar messages.

“Whenever you go to Accrington, there’ll always have that little bit of fight and grit. It’s not going to be an easy game.

“I know a few boys who’ve played for them and Platty (Matty Platt) was there. It’s a great blueprint in terms of how to run a club.

“They’ve done up a couple of stands and the pitch is always brilliant.

“The Accy how people remember them and what they are now are two different things.

“They were in League One for five years, which is unbelievable really when you think of some of the clubs in there and the budgets.

“I’ve been to Accy three or four times in the last two-and-a-half years and they are always tough. I’ve cut my eye twice.

“They’ve got physicality up front and throughout the team and they are good players within that.

“They recruit to sell a bit so there are always talented boys in there. It will be a challenge.”