PLAYER-assistant boss Faye Boshell insists Bradford City Women have strengthened since August’s defeat to Middlesbrough, who they visit this Sunday in search of revenge.

Boro were 2-0 winners as City got off to a slow start under a new coaching team spearheaded by Boshell and player-manager Charlotte Stuart.

But after starting the season with four successive defeats, the Bantams have turned things around massively and sit third in the Northern Division table going into this weekend’s FA Women’s Premier League game.

“We’ve strengthened as a squad since we last played them,” explained Boshell.

“At the start of the season, we had a very different team. Now we’re playing as a team more and getting the results, which means our team morale is brilliant too.”

City’s only qualm over the last couple of months has been a lack of games.

The Bantams have not suffered defeat since the opening weekend of December but the weather means they have played just three games in that time.

Last weekend’s trip to West Bromwich Albion was the latest to be called off, falling victim to a frozen pitch, and City will hope this does not affect their ability to perform on Teesside.

Boshell said: “We’ve switched off in games and conceded some sloppy goals this season. We’ll need to cut that out to get a result this weekend.

“Starting well will be important – but it’s important to start every game well. It’s more important to play well for the full 90 minutes.”

A win at second-placed Boro on Sunday would send a real statement to the rest of the league.

The title race seems to be over – Blackburn are six points clear and with three games in hand over the Teessiders – but victory for the Bantams would bring the battle for second place back to life.

City could sit six points behind Boro with a game in hand come Sunday night, although Boshell insists the team’s final position this year is not the priority.

“Where we finish in the league this season is just a bonus, as we are building as a club for the years to come,” she said.

Either way, ending the campaign in a rich vein of form – starting at Boro this weekend – would certainly do their hopes of challenging for the title next season no harm.