MARK Trueman admits it would be “brilliant” to be given more time to lead City.

But the caretaker boss, who has overseen a dramatic upturn in results, is willing to carry on laying the foundations for someone else if the club look elsewhere.

Saturday’s win at Tranmere was the third on the bounce under unbeaten academy coaches Trueman and Conor Sellars.

City remained in 18th spot in League Two but are now eight points off the play-offs – with the season still three games from the halfway stage.

Trueman said: “Psychologically it helps the players but we’ve got to keep reminding them about what has given us success.

“We can’t lose that shape and discipline and hopefully keep picking up points.

“They are a good group. They know they want to keep improving and keep winning.

“There are conversations taking place with the board and the people above us.

“It’s important that relationships are good and it gives them a little bit more time to make the right decision, whoever that may be.

“Whether that’s me and Conor then brilliant but if it’s someone else, they’ve got a great platform and a squad to build on.”

The fact that no decision has been made yet on the full-time role would suggest the club are comfortable with the current situation and prepared to take longer to make a call.

With a new recruitment manager set to be announced, understood to be the experienced Lee Turnbull, the Bantams may be prepared to let things continue into the January transfer window.

“The winning helps,” added Trueman. “We don’t want to be down near the bottom and in that relegation fight which we were.

“If we’d lost a couple of games earlier on then maybe a decision would have been made.

“But until then, it gives everyone the time to decide what they want to do.”

Paul Hurst had been tipped to be appointed at the City helm at one stage.

But that is appearing less likely as he could well be heading back to former club Grimsby.

Hurst, who steered the Mariners back to the Football League in 2016, was believed to be at their game at Morecambe on Saturday and is the favourite for the job that Ian Holloway vacated following last week’s loss to City.

The response from the players to Trueman and Sellars has been another key factor in the board’s relaxed stance.

Midfielder Elliot Watt summed up how the squad have immediately taken to the methods of the academy duo.

He said: “Truey and Conor have come in and we know exactly what they want from us from the moment we’re getting off the bus walking into the changing room, let alone in the game.

“We know our jobs and responsibilities like the back of our hands.

“They might be inexperienced in terms of games at this level but they know what they are doing. You can only respect the hard work they are putting in.

“I’m having clips sent to me at 10pm the night before a game with six midfielders I could be playing against and what they’re good at and how I can get the better of them.

“If somebody gets the ball, I know their weaker foot, how to nullify their threats and what to watch out for.

“We’ve got some quality players in this team. We knew that from the start of the season.

“It was just about gelling and demanding the best out of each other.

“It’s brilliant but we can’t get too carried away. We’ve got to keep feet on the ground, remain humble and realise every game in this league can be tough.”