DAVID Hopkin will bring a Phil Parkinson style back to Valley Parade, says former Bantam Raffa De Vita.

The winger was part of Hopkin’s Livingston side that won back-to-back promotions to this season’s Scottish Premier League.

And he believes the Scot, who signed a two-year deal to replace Michael Collins, can sort out City’s current problems with his no-nonsense approach.

De Vita said: “His style is probably similar to Phil Parkinson. David Hopkin is very organised and makes the team hard to beat.

“That was the main thing for us because we didn’t lose many games when we got promoted to the SPL.

“We went away to some difficult places and wouldn’t give anything away for 90 minutes.

“He wants his team to play attacking football but at the same time they have to be organised. Everybody knows what their job is.

“Phil Parkinson was like that and he was a legend for what he did at Bradford.

“They were saying in Scotland we were a long ball side when we got promoted last season.

“The same thing was said about Phil sometimes but that’s often the case when you play against a team that’s hard to beat.

“People say they play direct football and don’t pass the ball blah, blah but that’s a bit harsh.

“Look at how hard the team works and we always had a game plan.

“When I was at Bradford, we had big Hanson up front and had to play to his strength at times. It was the same with us.

“Everyone wants to play Barcelona football but it just doesn’t work like that. It’s about winning games.”

Hopkin left Livingston in May after beating Partick in the play-offs to take them into the top flight – despite having one of the lowest budgets in the division.

De Vita added: “It was a miracle just getting to the play-offs, let alone being promoted.

“Our budget was probably at the same level as teams that were part time like Dumbarton and Queen of the South. There was a massive gap to teams like Dundee United and Dunfermline.

“But David Hopkin’s strength is his man management. He was very honest with the players and probably the most approachable manager that I’ve had.

“You always felt the door was open if you wanted a confrontation or just to ask questions. That’s a big thing for players.

“He got everyone on his side, even those who weren’t playing so much. They felt as important as everyone else.

“There were no cliques because he managed to get the right people in. We had a good group and he kept it together for two or three years and it paid off.”

De Vita, who played 23 times in an injury-hit 14 months for City, says fans can expect to see an uncompromising figure on the sideline but not one who will bawl and scream.

“He was a tough midfielder who got in people’s faces as a player,” the winger told the T&A. “But he’s not someone who just shouts on the touchline.

“He can get loud when he’s not happy with something and gets a bit agitated. But he gives clear instructions and players know where they stand with him.

“Everybody will be grateful for what he did for Livi but England is much bigger market.

“When I was at Bradford, I remember 22,000 for a League One game against Sheffield United. You don’t get that sort of atmosphere in Scotland apart from at Celtic and Rangers.

“It’s a massive club which shouldn’t be in that division for the crowds that they get.

“I can fully understand why he’d go somewhere like that. Do well at Bradford and anything can happen.”