COLIN Doyle has shrugged off the early criticism from some City fans after keeping back-to-back clean sheets.

The big Irishman was the target for a few boo boys in the opening weeks of the season.

Yet following a second straight shut-out against Northampton, Doyle insisted his confidence had not been knocked by any flak.

The City keeper said: "Some of the fans have given us a bit of stick – but the main thing is that you stick together.

"Obviously I'm aware of it all but I just ignore it. What you worry about is what's going on in the changing room and what the staff are thinking.

"I've been in the game a long time to start worrying about a bit of stick. You've got to have a thick skin.

"People have got their opinions and they are entitled to them. But if you make an error, you move on and try to do your best again.

"It's pleasing that we're doing well at the moment, keeping clean sheets, and hopefully that will continue."

City moved up to third after a fourth win in five League One games – and their third away this season. Tony McMahon's free-kick closed the gap on leaders Shrewsbury to three points.

Doyle said: "We'd have taken that at this stage, especially with so many new players.

"People might have thought Bradford would struggle this year because of the hangover from the play-off final, bringing in a load of new players again and losing a lot of experience.

"But Greg (Abbott) and the gaffer have obviously recruited well and you can see that with some of our performances.

"It's not like we're playing nice football every game. We know we can do the dirty side as well and grind out a 1-0 win.

"It's a long season. There are going to be games like Saturday, especially when the weather starts kicking in and pitches aren't going to be as good.

"It will be hard to play good football and we'll have to get used to it. But I think the last two games have shown that we're not just about the nice stuff."

City came through another aerial test at Northampton following on from the Rotherham win. Doyle believes the strong defensive performances show the back four are getting used to each other's games.

He said: "It was tough at the start. Killa (Matt Kilgallon) didn't play a lot last season, Chicks (Adam Chicksen) was new at left back and got injured and Nat (Knight-Percival) had to get used to playing right side.

"It's not going to click straight away, so we were conceding goals but we were also scoring. We were still winning games.

"Now it's gone into full reverse where we're keeping clean sheets and scoring the one goal.

"We're more comfortable with each other. We've worked hard in training to get that understanding.

"You've got to know what Killa's strengths are and what he's weak at and it's the same with Chicks.

"It's all right playing pre-season games but you can't tell from them. It's only when the league kicks in that you see what people are about.

"The last four or five games we've been really solid. We've given the odd goal away here and there but we're looking stronger.

"It's going to be a different game tomorrow against Fleetwood but we've got to be confident now."