UNLIKE most of their League Two rivals, City did not possess a single loan player for the first half of the season.

Derek Adams preferred to wait until the mid-term market to summon short-term help from elsewhere – at that stage there would be no distractions from the parent club potentially wanting them back.

So, the former Bantams boss bolstered his squad with six temporary signings in January.

As the campaign reaches its final few days, we assess City’s loan captures and judge whether they have been a hit or miss.

And should Mark Hughes try to bring them back for next season?

DION PEREIRA

The Luton winger has been one of the most exciting performers since Hughes took the helm – and fans would love to see him in City colours again come the end of July.

But it wasn’t always like that for the first of the January arrivals.

Pereira was the subject of social-media ridicule for the first month with no sign of him because of illness and then injury.

Adams’ heavy running schedule on the training ground affected a player who had seen very little football in the previous couple of seasons.

When he was eventually fit to feature, Hughes gave him a first outing in City’s impressive win at leaders Forest Green.

From that point, his Valley Parade stock has risen sharply with his confidence on the ball, trickery and eagerness to attack quickly making him a favourite with supporters.

Verdict: Hit

JAMIE WALKER

Walker signed from boyhood club Hearts with a strong pedigree in Scottish football and a big build-up from Adams.

Used to performing on the big arenas north of the border, there were never any nerves or signs of apprehension playing in front of the Valley Parade audience.

Walker loves to take a shot and is also not afraid of get stuck into the tackle – traits that have gone down well in an otherwise poor season watching City.

He announced his arrival with the goal at Stevenage in Adams’ final win and, after coming back from injury, has netted in successive home games – including an effort straight from the traps after just 18 seconds against Scunthorpe.

Hughes has publicly thrown City’s hat in the ring for Walker as he nears the end of his Tynecastle contract but can expect plenty of competition.

Verdict: Hit

MATTY DALY

The Huddersfield midfielder already had seven goals under his belt this season when City swooped for his services after being recalled from Hartlepool.

Admittedly, five of Daly’s goals for Pools had come in the Papa John’s Trophy, but his ability to get forward and support the front men around the box was seen as a much-needed asset in a midfield lacking goals.

Daly did get off the mark early with a deflected effort in City’s win at Walsall but never kicked on to provide that consistent threat that his previous record had suggested.

He suffered a foot injury which saw him return to Huddersfield where he underwent surgery.

Verdict: Miss

ALEX BASS

The Portsmouth keeper has admitted himself that his fortunes have been up and down since getting a regular run in the City goal.

Bass announced himself with a “worldy” point-blank save with his face on a winning debut at Walsall and has pulled off other big saves against Hartlepool, Newport and Northampton.

But on the flipside, his rush-of-blood in giving away a cheap penalty cost them against Swindon – seconds after making another superb tip-over – and his howler was punished in the recent Scunthorpe game.

Bass has claimed five clean sheets in his longest run of action since fracturing his leg last year.

Whether he has done enough to convince his parent club that he should be their number one in League One remains to be seen.

Verdict: Hit (ish)

TOM ELLIOTT

Signed late in the window, City incurred a significant financial outlay in a striker they had on trial with Peter Jackson way back in 2011.

Elliot was understood to be among the highest earners on the wage bill, even though the Bantams were only paying a percentage of what he was on at Salford.

Brought in to provide competition and support for Andy Cook, the beanpole target man’s input was limited to a handful of appearances from the bench.

He started only two games, both against Harrogate, but suffered a knee injury – which he then aggravated in training – and then cut short his stay before it had really started.

Verdict: Miss

NATHAN DELFOUNESO

Delfouneso had a promotion medal from League Two last season with Bolton and it was hoped that experience would rub off in the City dressing room.

But after a solid debut at Stevenage, he struggled to make any kind of impact in the side.

He played only twice for Hughes – the last time against Port Vale when he was subbed for Charles Vernam and has not been close to playing since.

Verdict: Miss