Stuart McCall cited a severe lack of quality as his side’s downfall - following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City.
A goal in each half from Ashley Hunter saw City leave the the Peninsula Stadium empty-handed.
And the Bantams boss believes his side showed inability to deal with the forward’s threat - which they were aware of - which was unacceptable.
McCall said: “From our point of view, there was a real lack of quality in our performance. We failed to do the basics of football properly.
“Since we began analysing Salford, we identified their biggest strengths and knew Ashley Hunter would always cut in and shoot on his right foot.
“For us to let him do that was really poor and not good enough, and we have to be better.
“When it happens twice and we allow it to happen we only have ourselves to blame. It was unacceptable.
“It was generally a really poor performance and there is no getting away from that.”
Disappointment was added to for McCall having not sent a sell-out away backing home with a positive result.
Following their performance, the City chief believes his players must be prepared to accept the criticism of the 1,300-strong travelling band.
He added: “I understand the disappointment of the supporters and know it has been poor for them, for a few years now.
“As players, we have to be thick skinned and able to accept the criticism, because we were nowhere near good enough.
“The supporters spend a lot of money to come and support us away from home and we just have not been giving them anything to cheer about.
“When we come away, we cannot be giving performances off like that. The lack of quality, at times, was quite alarming.”
The Bantams return to the Utilita Energy Stadium next Saturday with a 3.00pm visit of Leyton Orient (March 14). CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.