DEREK Adams has had long enough in the City hot-seat now to suss out those around him.

Sunday marked 100 days since Adams was appointed in the same week that he had won promotion with Morecambe at Wembley.

The Bantams boss has not wasted a moment of that time as he begins to mould the team how he wants it.

Ten signings came in under his watch during the summer window; others have had to impress from a clean slate.

Adams has observed, noted and judged over the last three months. Those currently in or out of favour cannot say they have not been given ample chance on the pitch or the training ground.

“I always go into a football club and assess everyone – the staff, the players and the environment as well,” he said.

“That’s what I have done and continue to do. Then I make changes where I see fit.

“In the future, you’ll see that. I will make changes because I’ve given everybody a good opportunity to see them working.

“I’ve done exactly the same thing in my previous jobs. It’s important that you assess everyone in their roles.”

Adams deliberately walked into Valley Parade with an open mind on the players and the staff that were already there. Preconceptions, he felt, can be dangerous.

“I always remember an old manager of mine saying when you do go into a football club, it’s best to assess the staff when you’re there.

“You could have really talented people within the walls and it’s important to see them work first and make decisions after that.

“You don’t go in with your own staff and get rid of everyone. That’s not the right thing to do.

“It’s up to you as a leader and a manager to assess it. Are they going to work along the lines that I have done before?

“It’s important you allow them to express themselves.

“I’ve been into football clubs where players have been written off. Lo and behold, they become better than they were.

“That’s about giving somebody an opportunity. It’s a different manager and a different way of working and some people take it forward and some don’t.”

Lee Turnbull's departure as recruitment director, confirmed earlier today, is an indication of the changes Adams is starting to bring in around the club.

While keen to put his stamp on everything, he is wary of trying to do too much too soon as players get accustomed to his methods.

Seven league games in, he insists it is “still a work in progress”.

Adams added: “You don’t go in full throttle as a manager.

“Go in and set out what you want them to do and add to that as you go along. You go in a way that’s helpful to the rest of the staff and then work from there.”

The man who appointed him believes Adams is already showing the “strong leadership” in the football department that he felt was lacking.

Ryan Sparks can recognise someone desperate to succeed at all costs. The last few results have hurt after the fast start to the new campaign.

City’s chief executive said: “Like myself and others at this football club, Derek spends a great deal of time focusing on the finer detail.

“His care runs deeper than just being a football manager and that’s very important.

“His desire to win is like nothing I’ve seen at the club for some time.

“There is no straight line to success. You don’t just get it, it’s something you have to earn and work on.

“Saturday, in particular, will have been as frustrating for Derek as for anybody who bleeds claret and amber.

“There are going to be those kind of moments but ultimately it’s not where we are after game seven but 46 and in the future.

“Derek signed a three-year contract and I believe his leadership in that time will transform the football department in this club.

“I think it’s one of the most important pieces of recruitment this business has done in five years.”

There were only four days between Adams lifting the League Two play-off trophy with Morecambe and being unveiled at Valley Parade.

The lack of a proper break indicated the Scot’s desire to hit the ground running with his next club.

“I’m sure in the days after the play-off final when talks were going on between the two clubs he was having deep thoughts about what he would do in the pre-season and beyond,” added Sparks.

“There’s a relentlessness which you need to be successful in your life.

“He’s someone who understands the club’s needs, desires and philosophies and works in and around them. He can adapt to a model but he can also enhance it.

“He has immersed himself in every area of the football department. He wants to back up his success from Morecambe.”