THE current league table may not tell the full story of City's strides towards the promotion pack.

The Bantams remained in seventh spot on the edge of the play-off mix after the latest impressive win at Scunthorpe.

But skipper Stephen Darby did not mind that. He knows the progress being made – and sees no reason to be shouting about it from the rooftops.

City can show their credentials against leaders Coventry at Valley Parade tonight as they bid to make it ten games unbeaten. But Darby insists nobody is advertising their current run of form.

He said: "We have to stay focused and maybe let everyone else do the talking. We'll keep our feet firmly on the ground, keep trying to do the right things and that's all we can do.

"There's a strong belief about the team but that's what winning games does for you. It breeds confidence and you can see that in the side.

"We look dangerous going forward and solid when we're defending. But to keep doing that you have to get the basics right.

"Everyone's been in football long enough to know that it can change at the drop of a hat if you ease off at all."

With six successive clean sheets under their belt, Darby and his defensive cohorts are playing their full part in a run that has seen City hoover up 20 points from a possible 24 since the last league loss at Colchester in September.

They continue to ride the injury blows that have hampered Phil Parkinson's plans since pre-season. City's back four has not shown the join since Greg Leigh, who has scored two in two, and Nathan Clarke stepped into the breach.

Darby said: "It's important we keep our foot down and stay on it every day in training.

"We've been unfortunate with injuries but that's why it's important you have a good squad and the lads who have come in haven't let anyone down.

"That's why you have to keep pushing yourself in training to make sure you are ready when the chance comes.

"Nathan Clarke and Greg have done well and Jordan Bowery came in on Saturday and ran himself into the ground.

"We need to keep that healthy competition about us and we're making sure we're all pulling in the right direction."

City's defensive steel will be tested to the full by a Coventry side who have won four on the trot, scoring 14 goals in the process. They jumped into pole position at the weekend by thrashing previous leaders Gillingham 4-1.

Darby said: "It's a great game for us. They had a big win on Saturday and have a really good squad with the resources available.

"But I'm sure the place will be bouncing and it's a game that everyone is looking forward to. You can't beat playing at home against the leaders.

"We know the fans at Valley Parade will be brilliant. They will be out in their numbers and in good voice behind us.

"It's important we replicate what we've been doing during this run. It was a great three points on Saturday. We knew it would be tough because Scunthorpe had been on a good run of form themselves and only lost two in eight.

"You can't carry anyone in a game like that and it's going to take an all-round effort to get something.

"We'll take confidence from that but it's important we don't get carried away. We have to remember the hard work that is going into getting these results."