Kyel Reid believes the League One table doesn’t lie as City underlined their promotion potential with a third straight win.

Reid scored a spectacular goal to launch their latest success at Walsall which has lifted them into fourth spot after ten games.

The winger and James Hanson scored for the second week running as the Bantams made light of the absence of sidelined top scorer Nahki Wells.

Reid said: “Other teams should be looking at us. I still believe we have got one of the best sides in this division with our never-say-die spirit.

“We want to win every game and we’re picking up points on the road now. We’re gelling together as a team and playing every game like we’re the home team – setting the tone and pressing.”

In-form Reid was short-listed for player of the month in September and Phil Parkinson was raving about the quality of his goal.

The City boss said: “I don’t think you’ll see a better goal anywhere in the country this weekend. I had to have a second look that it had gone in because it came out so quickly.

“Reidy did great for us last season when you think that he was still playing at the end when he was struggling to strike a ball because of his groin.

“He’s fitter now, he’s stronger and he’s more professional in his approach and you get your rewards.”

Gary Jones and Garry Thompson had missed training during the week with knocks and Parkinson had been tempted to make changes.

“We weren’t quite at our best coming into the game but we coped really well,” said the City chief.

“Coming up against a team like Walsall who play with a lot of energy, I was concerned and wondered whether we would put on the level of performance needed.

“I’d said to Steve (Parkin) on Friday if this might be a game when we make some changes. But we decided against that and the sheer character of the lads who missed training saw us through.

“The players are confident they can win games at this level. But it is really tough to do that and you have to be very disciplined in your approach.

“I told the boys before the game that ten games into the season is time to put a marker down. It’s been a good solid start for us, we’re up there and we’re enjoying it.”

City have now taken 17 points from a possible 21 in the seven games since their only league defeat at Port Vale in August.

Parkinson added: “It’s really challenging because you come up against different styles every week. We had to be tactically spot on to deal with the way Walsall play.

“I thought we restricted them to not many clear-cut chances so I was pleased was that.

“And we looked a good side when we had the ball and passed it. Whenever we got into the final third, it always looked likely that something might happen.”