STUART McCall is confident City possess the characters to handle the growing expectation of the fans.

The second-placed Bantams are unbeaten after the first six league games - their best start since 1979 when George Mulhall’s team won seven and drew one of the opening eight in Division Four.

That has inevitably ramped up hype among supporters, who had been initially unsure after a summer of major change.

McCall recalled his previous stint at the City helm when his highly-fancied team crumbled under the weight of public feeling halfway through the 2009 season.

They could not cope with the demands of the fans – and the wheels came off as they missed the play-offs altogether.

McCall said: “My second season here had started so well and the expectation went sky high because of that.

“But it got to the stage (in February) when we got beaten at Notts County on the back of losing heavily to Barnet and the fans were chanting ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’.

“We were still in the top six at that time and it knocked a lot of people’s confidence in the team. Even senior players like Paul McLaren were visibly affected.

“It’s different when you’re around tenth or so but when you’re up there, expectation will be high.

“It’s a long, long season – look at (the promotions with) Kammy (Chris Kamara) and Parky (Phil Parkinson), they both came with late runs.

“I think we’ll be very competitive in the league but I could say that about ten teams with the recruitment some other clubs have made.

“There will be stumbles along the way and it’s how you react. But I think we’ve got a group who are stronger mentally to what I had last time.

“We set ourselves standards every day and we’ll try to maintain them game by game.”

Marc McNulty and Haris Vuckic are both in contention for their first involvement in tomorrow’s clash with Gillingham.

James Hanson also has an outside chance of being in the squad after returning to training yesterday with Tony McMahon.

Josh Cullen reported no ill-effects from his international double header with Republic of Ireland under-21s and Matt Kilgallon could make his league debut after a full game in the reserves.

McCall added: “I’ve always gone for quality with the clubs I’ve been at.

“If there’s a chance to bring one player in as opposed to three, I’ve always gone for that one that can make a difference.

“But here we’ve generally got both. We’ve got quality but lots of it.

“This is the best squad I’ve had to work with. Now it’s about keeping everyone motivated and believing they’ve all got a chance of being in the team.

“We’re going to need everyone to be together.

“I don’t do negativity. I can understand people being disappointed if they’re not involved but it’s how they go about it.

“I know in the next few weeks that I’ll probably be unfair on certain players. But only because I can only pick so many.

“Gone are the days when if you play well one game, you’ll keep the jersey.

“There will be certain days we might go with two wingers or one or not play any. Some days we might go with three strikers, two or one, or maybe three centre halves.”

On-loan Sheffield United striker McNulty is hoping for better luck with the Bantams after back-to-back play-off exits.

McNulty was in the Portsmouth side beaten in the League Two play-offs in May – a year on from losing in League One with the Blades.

The Scot said: “I’ve had a bit of heartache the last two play-offs and was very unlucky last season. They say about third time lucky so let’s hope so.

“I think we’ve got a good chance this year of doing well – it’s a good squad with a really good manager and coaching staff.

“I came in a bit nervous the first day meeting new people and the manager especially but he was great. There’s a good vibe here and he makes you feel at ease.”