Colin Todd

Colin Todd blamed himself as much as the players after Bradford City's heaviest loss of the season.

Oldham Athletic's 4-1 romp at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium dumped Todd's side back into the relegation mix  and cranked up the pressure ahead of Tuesday night's clash with fellow strugglers Blackpool.

City, who were booed off by fed-up fans, were three goals down by half-time as they failed to get to grips with a five-man midfield that ran them ragged.

Todd admitted he got the tactics wrong after watching Oldham slip up at Rotherham United in midweek.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus he said: "I'll face the music and take full responsibility because I sent the side out there. I saw Rotherham play the same way 4-4-2 and obviously murder them but we couldn't handle their midfield.

"Give Oldham credit but we didn't give them a game at all, we didn't do ourselves justice. They caused us a lot of problems but we certainly didn't help ourselves.

"We've played 4-4-2 most of the time and faced that system a lot and not had a problem like that. But if your work ethic is not right in certain areas then it becomes very difficult. We have got a terrible record against Oldham but that's no excuse. We didn't have the real desire as a team and didn't function."

It is the most goals City have conceded in the league since a 4-0 loss at last season's runaway champions Luton Town 17 months ago. The defence, usually so strong, looked out of sorts but Todd felt they were given little protection.

He singled out left winger Owen Morrison, who was subbed before half-time along with Steve Claridge as the midfield allowed Oldham to pour forward.

Todd added: "I thought that we were found wanting in midfield, certainly in the two wide areas where we couldn't stiffle them.

"The game of football isn't just about when you have the ball. There's the ugly side of having to work and if you are prepared to graft then you put a lot of onus on other people."