KELVIN Mellor insists City will not be involved in a season-long relegation dogfight.

A first win in seven games at Wimbledon in midweek lifted David Hopkin’s men out of the bottom four going into today’s Valley Parade showdown with Sunderland.

Mellor has come back from a hamstring injury to play his part in back-to-back clean sheets.

And the right back believes City’s fortunes will continue to improve after their sticky start.

He said: “It has been disappointing but at the same time it happens in football.

“You’re not going to win every game and I feel like we were a bit unlucky at the start of the season.

“As of now, the momentum has switched and the mentality is a bit different.

“It’s a great move for me and I’m more than happy to be here.”

Asked if he feared the campaign would be all about survival, he added: “Definitely not. I just think it was a little spell that we had.

“Football changes so quickly and fortunately it was at the start of the season and not towards the end. We can make changes and we have so far.”

Mellor was injured against former club Blackpool in Hopkin’s first game at the helm. But having regained his starting role, the defender can see the difference that the Scot’s presence has brought to the team.

He said: “The gaffer is a little bit different to what we had but we’ve got to take everything on board. At the same time, it’s still the same players.

“He’s obviously got to put his trust into the boys he’s working with and he’s very good at that.

“He’s very demanding and big on the group itself. He says everyone is involved and not just the 11 on the pitch.

“He is also big on keeping a clean sheet. You start the game with a point and everything else is a bonus.”

Hopkin has been working on making City tougher to beat and Mellor felt the evidence of that was clear in the way they defied Wimbledon’s aerial barrage.

“We showed good character because we knew what it would be like down there,” he said.

“There aren’t going to be many teams who go there and beat them like that. After going in 1-0 up at half-time, we didn’t cave in and fought for the win.

“I wouldn’t say there was a sense of relief afterwards. We’ve been playing well but it’s just not happened for us.

“There’s a good vibe in the dressing room and a lot more jokes on the training ground. We’re in a good position right now.”

And Mellor is eager to build on that against the Sunderland side heavily tipped for an immediate return to the Championship.

“We’re going in with good momentum and hopefully we can get a result.

“They are one of the favourites in this league but I don’t see why we can’t get something from the game.

“It’s a good one for the fans as well and the more there, the merrier. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“We won’t be negative and I’m sure the fans will help us to give that little bit more.”