Bradford City slipped down to seventh in the League Two table after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

It was only the Bantams' second league defeat in nine games but it saw Gary Bowyer's men slip from the automatic promotion places to seventh in the table just a point ahead of eighth-placed Argyle.

City won't have too much time to dwell on the defeat as they prepare to travel to Macclesfield Town before five league games over December.

The Bantams will certainly be looking to make the most out of their next six fixtures as they face only one side in the top-half before January.

Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell insists the side still has plenty to be upbeat about, especially with Shay McCartan, Matty Palmer and Jake Reeves all in-line to make their comeback from injury.

"You only have to look at the positivity from having one player back who has missed two seasons through injury, it was incredible," O'Donnell told the Telegraph and Argus on Monday evening.

"It just shows the difference that bringing players back can bring to the team, it’s not just Reevesy but there’s Jordan Gibson coming back and a few others, Joe Riley is going well with his injury, Matty Palmer is getting closer again, so hopefully it won’t be too long before he’s playing," the 31-year-old continued.

Despite a number of injuries throughout the season, O'Donnell believes that everyone in the squad has performed well when called upon.

"We’ve shown through the period we’ve gone through that we can put in good performances even when we have been depleted, there won’t be one person in the squad thinking that they won’t be part of it. It’s shown already that we’re all going to be involved," O'Donnell told the Telegraph and Argus.

Speaking of  the side's form, O'Donnell recognised the injuries can have a part to play: "At times, it’s been a little bit stop-start with people getting injuries and things like that, it can halt your momentum in terms of performances at times and I think that has been the case."

The Verdict 

City's form may be frustrating to some fans, one moment they are on a brilliant run and then they succumb to poor defeats against fellow promotion chasers.

The Plymouth defeat added to defeats against other promotion contenders Cheltenham Town and Crewe Alexandra but City now have two games in-hand, starting with the trip to Macclesfield.

Although congested near the top, O'Donnell is right to point out that those returning from injury will boost the morale among the squad and they should look to capitalise on their upcoming run against a handful of lower sides.