March 9 2003

Trevor Francis blamed lask of fitness from his side as they surrendered a goal lead to struggling Bradford City to lose 2-1.

Francis said: "The opposition found energy that they could not seem to find in the first hour.

"It was like a dam that had burst and we could just not stop the flow once the first goal went in.

"The problem we had was that there were a number of players who've been absent through injury this season and there were players on the field who were suffering through a lack of fitness.

"The message I gave at half time was that we needed to build on the first goal and we did have our chances - Ade Akinbiyi had a header which was off target, Steve Thomson hit the post and Hayden Mullins was clear but hit the keeper's legs.

"It was unusual for us to lose a game after going ahead, it is only the second time that has happened to us this season.

"Noel Whelan got us off to a good start but we were unable to build on it which was disappointing. I had intended only to start him on the bench but due to the conditions I changed my mind.

"I was going to start with Tommy Black but when I saw the heavy conditions I decided that the match would be more suited to more physical and stronger individuals.

"The pitch was just about playable but there were puddles of water lying on the surface in places. After two postponements I was just keen to get the game going.

"Danny Granville was fouled before Simon Francis struck their second but the three officials obviously didn't see it."