AARON Mclean wants City to start showing the swagger of genuine promotion contenders.

The Bantams sit on the cusp of the League One play-offs as they head into tomorrow’s televised Yorkshire derby at Barnsley.

Mclean is convinced that they can justify their position among the pace-setters and maintain a proper challenge.

The striker said: “I tell the lads all the time. When you look at our squad and compare it to the rest, there’s no reason that once we get in that top six we shouldn’t stay there for the season.

“I’ve been in teams that have been promoted and we’ve just gone for it. We’ve gone out on the pitch with a confidence and certain arrogance about us.

“There’s no reason whatsoever why we shouldn’t be up there – other than us under-achieving.

“Bristol City are flying at the top of the league at the moment. They’ve got good players without a doubt but they’ve also got that winning belief.

“It’s time to start looking at each other and thinking ‘you know what, we are good enough to be up there challenging’. And I don’t just mean challenging in and out of the play-offs but pushing for that top two.”

City are again likely to be without James Hanson at Oakwell after he suffered a slight setback earlier this week.

But they have picked eight points from the four games since he tore a thigh muscle and Mclean, who will partner Billy Clarke up front, insists they possess the resources to cope.

He added: “We’ve had to adapt our game without James being in the team but I think it has gone pretty well.

“It makes us have to play more on the ground. That suits me perfectly.

“We’ve got clever players like Billy Clarke but he needs the ball on the ground. He needs it in little pockets where he can turn.

“Sometimes having big squads can work against you. When you have so many people all expecting to play it can be difficult to keep some motivated.

“It’s always good to have competition for places and we have quite a few who can play in a range of different positions.

“We’ve got that variety and if we are missing people we can always change things and bring others in. Filipe Morais was brilliant last Saturday and Mark Yeates has come into the team and looks like a new signing for us.

“Everyone needs to keep the belief and grasp the opportunity that we have got this season. We have to take it.

“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be going anywhere with the mentality that we can win this game.”

City are still unbeaten on their travels in the league and head to a Barnsley side who have lost three of their four home games.

Phil Parkinson said: “We’ve just got to remind the lads before the game what’s required away from home. The work ethic of the team is the most important thing.

“We’ve got to match what we’ve done on our travels so far this season. Away results are never easy.

“I go way back to the first season I was here and we didn’t have many. But the wins or draws away from home came from real full-on performances from us.

“That competitive edge is required all over the pitch. The elements are against you and you’ve got to roll your sleeves up.

“A Yorkshire derby is a good game to have on the TV. Derbies always have that extra added atmosphere.

“There are going to be a lot of local derbies this year and I’m pleased with that. The bigger the game, the bigger the atmosphere and that’s what you want to be involved in.

“I always enjoyed playing when there was a good away following, either for or against us, it just adds to the occasion. Tomorrow will be no different.

“We’ve got some exciting fixtures coming up and I really do think that the televised games are great for the profile of Bradford City.

“The games we’ve had on the TV have been good box office. I think that attracts them to come back.”