Albion boss Steve Coppell is poised to give the players pummelled by arch rivals Crystal Palace a massive vote of confidence by keeping faith with them.

He is expected to name an unchanged team for tomorrow's home game against mid-table Bradford following last Saturday's 5-0 debacle at Selhurst Park.

Coppell believes the same side can avert a club record 13th straight League defeat, providing they believe it themselves.

"At the moment all we dwell on is the position we are in and the mistakes," he said. "We have got to look forward, hope individuals can raise their game and that collectively we can put it right as a unit and salvage something from this season.

"I've got faith in these players. I do feel as if they can turn it around, but you do that one step at a time.

"What happens in training is far removed from the cauldron that is a Saturday afternoon and the Saturday afternoon part at the moment is inhibiting for them.

"They don't express themselves. They are frightened of making mistakes, which is understandable, and there is no way of reversing that mentality other than to just go out there and keep on doing it until we are successful.

"I'm longing for the day when they can enjoy a Saturday evening knowing they have worked hard and got the right result. I'm convinced the players are capable of doing it. If they can just retain more belief in themselves I'm sure this will be the game.

"The difficulty is that most of the Bradford team are Premiership quality. We have got to ally good play with a hard mentality and a winning attitude."

Tomorrow's clash will have an extra edge for most of the Albion line-up now that Nicky Law is Bradford's manager.

He needed a police escort off the pitch and onto the team coach when he was in charge of Chesterfield in a stormy 2-2 draw at Withdean last December.

Law was accused of winding up players and supporters. A scuffle broke out in the dressing room area after the game and Albion boss Peter Taylor described his behaviour as an "absolute disgrace".

Law has pledged to stay calm. "There will be a bit of banter, but I have got to rise above that," he said.

Graham Barrett, who partners Bobby Zamora again up front, was a target for Bradford before joining Albion on loan from Arsenal.

Aussie goalkeeper Andy Petterson, re-signed by the Seagulls on a monthly contract, will be on the bench as cover for Michel Kuipers against the club he served on loan in 1994-95.

Bradford leftback Andy Myers is ruled out by a calf injury.

Read a full match preview of tomorrow's game at thisisthealbion.co.uk