COVENTRY fans joked that Romain Vincelot loses form when his beard comes off.

Like Samson, when Delilah took a knife to his flowing locks, they reckon the Frenchman wasn’t the same dominant figure for a few games towards the end of last season after he trimmed his chin a bit too close.

The sight of Vincelot wandering around Valley Parade on Saturday with full facial hair should therefore dismiss any concerns on that front.

Make no mistake he is a strong capture for this level; a “warrior” as Tony Mowbray frequently called him.

Mowbray’s decision to allow Vincelot to leave halfway through his contract, as he looks for a “more dynamic” replacement in a switch to a 3-4-3 system, has stunned many of the Sky Blues faithful.

Social media is not always the most reliable gauge of public opinion but the divide in reaction between fans gaining the player and those reluctantly waving goodbye felt like a chasm.

The response to the move wasn’t just restricted to the two clubs. Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony tweeted: “(I) couldn’t believe when I saw Vincelot got sold! Impressed me last season.”

Vincelot has been understandably flattered by the comments but admitted joining City was an easy decision to make.

He said: “It’s nice to hear that people at Coventry aren’t saying ‘good riddance’. I’ve got very good memories there and hopefully they won’t get too upset.

“I think it was time for me to move on even though I was only there one year. There have been a few changes and when I knew Bradford were coming in, after what they did last year and all the season tickets, I had a good feeling about it.

“Sometimes things happen quickly in football and I jumped on it. It looks a very good opportunity for me.”

Vincelot and John Fleck were the lynchpin of Coventry’s midfield last season. With both gone to League One rivals, Fleck recently signed for Sheffield United, Mowbray risks the ire of a suspicious public as he looks to rebuild.

For Stuart McCall, Vincelot’s arrival has calmed the doubts of a Bradford public still viewing the new season as a step into the unknown after such a summer of change.

Vincelot added: “I’ve played here quite a few times and know what to expect. There is a good vibe.

“I think the pressure of having lots of fans makes you play better and challenge harder. I can’t wait to hear the noise after a tackle.

“It is a very different team you have to get used to each other. I think there is still a good core of last year and signings as well.

“It won’t happen just like that but there is big potential.

“I was sitting with a few good players who were not fit for the (Burnley) game. There are no worries.”

McCall has no qualms over the quality of his latest addition, who City had been tracking for the past couple of weeks after being alerted to Vincelot’s availability.

He said: “With the experience he’s got at this level, he’s going to be good for us.

“He still wants to go higher. He’s got that desire and ambition to better himself, which I like.”

Vincelot played centre half in France early on in his career but it’s his presence as a driving force in the middle of the park that has made him a stand-out figure in League One.

The 30-year-old scored four goals last season from a holding role and McCall has already made it clear that City will let him off the leash to get forward.

“They know what I can do, a bit of everything attacking and defence,” said Vincelot. “I will give 100 per cent every single game because that is how I like to play.

“I’ve played two 45 minutes in friendlies for Coventry so fitness is not a problem. I feel I’m nearly ready for the start of the season and can’t wait to get going.”

Vincelot was happy to watch his new team-mates battle with Burnley and saw positive signs despite the 4-1 final score.

“I think it was quite good. But then they just need one chance and it’s a goal.

“That is their quality. We were playing quite well just before the first goal but suddenly they score three very quickly.

“When you play against a Premier League team, you pay that price because of the technical ability. But I thought it was a good game for us.”