MICHAEL Collins can sense a unity building within the City squad after their pre-season training camp.

The Bantams returned from Chester last night after four days of intensive work and getting to know each other.

Collins declared the break at the Carden Park Hotel a “massive” success in creating the togetherness he wants from his new team.

The head coach said: “We stressed to the lads that it’s nice to get a change of scenery but we were there to work and be professional.

“We’ve done that and, as a coaching staff, got out of this week exactly what we’d hoped.

“The most important thing is that you realise more about each other’s characters.

“Naturally, as in any environment, you gravitate towards those who are on your wavelength. But the good thing we’ve looked for is that there are no cliques.

“We’re one united group. Everybody has got on with everyone else.

“The lads that were here last year have made the time and effort to make the new ones feel welcome. There’s a good team spirit coming out of it.

“There has certainly been no shyness and if you came in as an outsider, you wouldn’t be able to spot which were the new lads or the ones from last season. Everybody has mingled.

“You want to be fair with every player and have a good look at each individual and what they are like among the lads. There’s nobody I’m thinking ‘he might be an issue’.

“It’s good for me because now I can make decisions based on football and how I see them being involved in the team.

“If you’re making decisions on characters or personality traits, then you’ve got a problem from day one. We haven’t got that.

“It’s a very good group and now we can detail in on the football and how we can have a successful season.”

Tomorrow’s midday kick-off at Farsley Celtic marks the start of the pre-season programme for City. Collins will sit down with his staff today to decide who will be involved at Throstle Nest.

Fans will be hoping to catch a glimpse of all the new recruits, including latest capture Hope Akpan from Burton. Collins was thrilled to see off the competition for him.

Collins added: “We were aware of other interest and Burton were keen to keep him. That tells you what they thought.

“We already had quality in midfield but every player in that area now brings something slightly different to the table. One or two are adept at playing other positions as well, which gives us good balance in the squad.

“I soon hope we’ll also see the physical presence that Hope brings. Whether you like it or not, in League One we’re going to come up against some really strong, physical teams and we need to be able to go toe-to-toe with them.

“There are one or two other things bubbling away in the background. If we can get them done as well, we’ll be really happy but I can’t stress enough how pleased we are with the way everyone’s gone about it this week.”