Andy O'Brien has revealed how Bradford City's growing belief in Premiership survival has been boosted by the Bantams entering the 21st century out of the relegation zone.

The talented defender played a huge part in City sharing the spoils in yesterday's goalless draw with in-form Everton.

The point keeps City in 17th position with 17 points - one more than third bottom Derby and level with the side immediately above them in the table, Southampton.

City have spent the past two months out of the bottom three and O'Brien says that is a huge psychological boost for Paul Jewell's squad.

City's next game is away at Southampton on Monday and O'Brien said: "It is a big game but we knew when we came up that we would have a lot of those and so far the Premiership hasn't disappointed us.

"It was good to get another clean sheet against Everton. That is our job so we are delighted. It is also our fifth unbeaten game at home and we have not lost here for three months now.

"The important thing is we are still above the bottom three places. It is also worth noting that we have games in hand as well.

"It is important we take the initiative and stay out of the bottom three. If you are out of the bottom three, then that is always a big psychological boost.

"The pressure will start if we do lose and Derby win to go above us.

"But there is a long way to go yet. If we do lose on Monday, it won't be the end of the world because there is a lot of football to go."

Paul Jewell admitted after the game that his side had not played as well as in recent home games, but was glad to see them bounce back from the 4-0 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day.

The City boss said: "It's testament to the players that although we didn't play well we managed to grind out a result.

"Everton had come here on the back of a great victory (5-0 at home to Sunderland) while we went into the game with the defeat at Manchester United. It looked on paper to be a thrashing, but that wasn't the case.

"The players could have been affected, but we sat down and discussed things on Tuesday and it seems to have paid off," said an upbeat Jewell.

"The scoreline didn't do our performance justice at Old Trafford, and I was just hoping the players didn't take the result into the game.

"But we defended very well yet again and managed to put them under pressure for spells during the game, although I'm disappointed we didn't create a lot of chances.

"But at the end of the season, this could be a very vital point."

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