STUART McCall hopes City have set the standard in time for their date with the League One leaders.

Unbeaten Peterborough top the pile after the opening month and are likely to provide a stern test this weekend.

Yet McCall was encouraged by City's display against Bristol Rovers and sees no reason why they cannot back that up against the Posh.

The Bantams boss said: "That's the standard we are aiming for. It wasn't just about the win but the way we got it.

"That helps in the dressing room and makes the players feel better about themselves.

"I don't like to keep harping back to last year but there were a lot of strong performances. Saturday was the first time we've really hit the heights this season.

"We know it's there and obviously now we've got to look to keep it going."

Charlie Wyke's spectacular return to form, coupled with the added presence of skipper Romain Vincelot and Adam Chicksen, have given City a sturdier look.

New centre half Adam Thompson will also be available for Saturday after being away on Northern Ireland duty with Shay McCartan.

McCall feels the added aerial presence within the team has provided an extra dimension after some patchy performances in the opening weeks.

He said: "We know there have been reasons for that but you saw last week that we looked a lot stronger at set-plays. Having the boys we've got now to attack the ball makes life a lot easier."

City will need to be at their best as they face up to trips to Peterborough and Oxford in the space of four days.

Posh, who dropped their first points with a goalless draw at Doncaster, showed their intent by securing star man Marcus Maddison on a new contract. He had been widely tipped for a move during the transfer window.

McCall said: "Their chairman Darragh MacAnthony set it up well (on deadline day), saying there was going to be an announcement at 4.30pm on Marcus Maddison.

"Everyone thought he was leaving but then they announced he's got a new contract and the whole club get a fillip.

"To be fair, there are a lot of clubs in the division this season who've managed to keep hold of their real star players.

"Everyone thought Ricky Holmes was leaving Charlton but he's got a new deal. Fleetwood hung on to Amari'i Bell, Cian Bolger and Devante Cole. Bristol Rovers did the same with Billy Bodin.

"They all think they've got a good chance of being in that top six this season and Peterborough are no different.

"It will be another challenge for us. We know we're up against a side full of confidence but we're going down there confident ourselves.

"Last season when we had the disappointments, we always bounced back.

"We obviously had that with the last home performance but we put that to bed with a really strong display and we want to build on that."