David Hopkin has highlighted the challenge City face ahead of this evening’s Emirates FA Cup first-round replay against Aldershot, which gets underway at 7.45pm.
Following a 1-1 draw in the original fixture, Hopkin’s Bantams play host to the Vanarama National League side as both sides look to book a spot in the second-round - away at Peterborough United.
And head coach Hopkin emphasised the “mental battle” City face tonight, insisting the home side must get the better of the Hampshire outfit.
He said: “We know it is going to be another difficult game. They will pose different sorts of problems to how we played on Saturday, against Peterborough, so we know that it will be a mental test of character - but it is a game the players are looking forward to.
“The pressure is off them. Aldershot are going to come here thinking it is their cup final, so we know it will be hard fought. There is pressure on us because we are expected to win.
“Aldershot have a chance to get to the next round, so we have to make sure that we are physically and technically strong. But this will be a mental battle. We are instructing the players to go out and treat them with the upmost respect.
“We saw in the first game that they have some good players - and they are a good team. We need to make sure that we are switched on and that we can make it through to the next round.
“It is important that we get through. We can’t just sit here and say we are going to win comfortably because it will be very tricky. We need to make sure, come the end of the game, we are through to play Peterborough.”
Tonight’s fixture marks the start of a significant week for the Bantams, with Oxford United visiting the Northern Commercials Stadium in a huge Sky Bet League One clash on Saturday.
Until 5.00pm on Friday, supporters are able to purchase tickets for the match for just £1.
The initiative has already seen more than 2,000 additional tickets sold for the eagerly-anticipated fixture.
Hopkin added: “We have a massive home game on Saturday against Oxford.
“The club are doing fantastically to try get as big a crowd as possible, which could be crucial for us.
“This is a big week for us and the players should take great heart from the performance we put in on Saturday.
“Our priority right now is Aldershot. But we do need to make sure we can pick up some momentum.
“The fans were fantastic again, on Saturday, and we will need that backing against Aldershot and hopefully throughout this competition - as well as on Saturday.”
Admission is priced at £10 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £1 (juniors) and you can pay on the gate this evening, with turnstiles opening at 6.30pm.
Tickets for Saturday will be priced at just £1 up until 5.00pm on Friday. CLICK HERE to buy online, or visit the ticket office.