Elliot Watt labelled the Bantams’ performance in a 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town as “unacceptable”.
Stuart McCall’s men were condemned to their first Sky Bet League Two defeat of the campaign at home to the Sulphurites at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Watt, like his manager, felt City were the second-best side throughout the contest, and were deservedly beaten.
He said: “Harrogate wanted to win the game more than us and, in any fixture, you have to want to win more than your opponents. The fact we did not do that was unacceptable.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match and that we would have to fight and match their intensity - with and without the ball - which we sadly did not do.
“At times, we had a bit of belief about about us and we did not look too bad going forward, but when we got into the final third we were badly lacking a final ball or a good decision - on almost every occasion.
“In a local derby like this, and in any match, you have to do the basics right by winning your second balls, fighting and competing.
“I felt as though we were second best throughout and did not really deserve anything from the game.”
The 20-year-old was keen to draw a line under this defeat before looking ahead to how he and his team-mates are looking to respond against Mansfield Town this weekend.
He insisted McCall will not be scared to rotate his side, given the competition within the squad, and is confident whoever is on the field will demonstrate a reaction.
Watt added: “There are no excuses, but the good thing about football is that you have another game quickly, and we have to go to Mansfield on Saturday and put it right.
“We have a good squad with a lot of quality, and need to take things one game at a time.
“There are players who are desperate to play and are fighting for their spot in training, working really hard every day.
“The gaffer has spoken about the competition and how he is not scared to rotate, because of some players who are champing at the bit to get on the pitch.
“It was not our night against Harrogate but we have to go to Mansfield and look to put it right.
“We have to work harder than and have more quality than them in order to hopefully come back with the three points.”
The Bantams travel to the One Call Stadium on Saturday October 17 (3.00pm), with supporters able to catch every minute of the action LIVE - with a £10 iFollow video match pass - by CLICKING HERE.