City are looking to record their best start to a home league campaign for over 50 years tonight.

Phil Parkinson’s men aim to make it four wins on the bounce at the Coral Windows Stadium against Morecambe, who are unbeaten on their travels.

Incredibly, the last time that City kicked off a season that well at Valley Parade was way back in 1957 when they won the first five home games in Division Three North.

Two of the three goals that sunk Barnet on Saturday were set up by Gary Jones free-kicks and Parkinson believes the skipper has already become a huge influence on the early form.

The Bantams chief said: “We’ve got strong headers of the ball and people who want to get after it. But it’s very difficult to make your runs if the delivery is unreliable.

“Gary is always out there practising and he’s got quality. At 35, his age is irrelevant and his fitness levels are extraordinary.

“I always look at Scott Parker at Tottenham. He’s infectious the way he plays and Gary has got that in his game.

“He’s a very good role model and that’s so important at any club with the younger players.

“To look at someone like him and how he looks after himself as a professional and prepares for each game is a great example.

“That’s one of the reasons we brought him here and at the moment we’re enjoying working with him.”

Morecambe snatched a stoppage-time draw on their last visit and have not conceded a goal in three away games this season. Parkinson also watched them win at Accrington in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last week.

“I was very impressed and it’s no surprise they’ve done well on their travels with the way they set up,” he said.

“They sit in there and look to hit you on the break and we’ve got to be ready for that.

“We’ll respect them a lot because of their away form but we also know where we can be successful against them on the pitch. Football is about keeping on doing the right things.

“I was pleased with the patience we showed against Barnet. Those games are sometimes the hardest when you’re expected to win.

“Barnet made it very difficult for us in the first half but we persevered, stuck at our jobs and defended right.

“Sometimes when teams sit deep, you have to get two or three passes in and might even have to go backwards to bring them out. Then you find those gaps which the likes of Zavon Hines and Alan Connell can exploit.”

City will make a late check on Hines, who has been complaining of cramp. If the winger does not make it, Parkinson will look to either Will Atkinson or Morecambe old boy Garry Thompson.

But Nahki Wells has felt no ill-effects from his troublesome hip after coming on for Connell for the last 20 minutes.

The Bermudian trained yesterday without a problem and the steroid injection planned for him for tomorrow is likely to be put on hold.