THE transfer window quietly closed at Valley Parade without any hint of late drama.

City were tucked up in bed by the time 11pm chimed to signal the end of the frantic wheeling and dealing.

Their own deadline business had been wrapped up before the morning training - Tyreik Wright and the much-anticipated Dion Pereira adding pace and panache to a squad now containing 17 new faces since the summer market began.

Fans usually crying out for more, more, more in the final hours were very happy with what they’d got. The verdict on the window, so often mixed if not downright hostile, has been positively gushing with praise.

“Outstanding”, “I smiled so hard my jaw broke”, “disastrous … for the rest of the league”, “I don’t think we’ve had one like this in a while”.

The see-saw audience on social media could not be tipped any further in City’s favour right now.

Now over to you, Mark Hughes.

“It is my team and I’ll be judged on that - which is fine,” he smiled. “I’m quite comfortable with the quality we’ve been able to bring in.”

Hughes has been equally thankful for the support he has been given, both financially in expanding the parameters of the playing budget to make room for two more, and the skill in identifying those best suited for the task.

He made a big play of acknowledging the roles played by Ryan Sparks and recruitment chief Stephen Gent in assembling the squad list that he and Glyn Hodges will try to pilot to the club’s first promotion in a decade.

It has been 116 days between Jamie Walker, in his best bib and tucker, announcing his permanent arrival at the player-of-the-year awards and Pereira answering the prayers of his Twitter worshippers.

In that time, Hughes has rebuilt, renovated and restored the City dressing room like a lower-league version of Nick Knowles and his DIY SOS crew.

The City boss made it clear from the start that he would be happy to get his hands dirty in the first window under his command. But did he anticipate quite so much change?

“Not really and we obviously had some renewed contracts with that as well and some players we wanted to re-sign but weren’t able to negotiate.

“There’s always that churning in terms of personnel. You have to deal with it the best you can.

“But it does give you an opportunity because a lot of players leave and you can bring a number in.

“You can shape the team more readily than maybe at different levels I’ve managed at. There certainly isn’t that much churn in the Premier League.

“A summer window gives you ample time to really understand the market and get players over the line.

“We did a lot of business very early and we feel we’re in a good place with good variation for whatever I decide to do.

“It settles everybody down. They all know where they are going to be for the next few months.”

Twelve months ago, Derek Adams pointedly avoided bringing in any loans.

Wright and Pereira took the current tally of borrowed players in City’s ranks to five - and that is not counting teenage Wolves keeper Joe O’Shaughnessy.

Scott Banks and Romoney Crichlow have already impressed, Kian Harratt too in flashes and his first goal in midweek will surely spark his confidence.

From day one, Hughes has seen City’s size and stature at League Two level as more than a status symbol.

He’s used it as a very effective bargaining chip in persuading clubs in the top flight and Championship to lend their young talent to see if they can perform in the bright lights.

“Don’t underestimate the pull of Bradford City” has been his mantra.

“We’re a great option for players because we’re a good platform,” said Hughes. “It’s a proper stage and you have to be a good player to be able to play in front of big crowds.

“You’ve got to embrace that. A lot of teams will look from afar and see how well players do at Bradford and think, ‘yeah, he can handle it at a different level’.

“Players consider those things and we understand that and can benefit from it. It’s about enjoying your football.”

Some are still expected to move on - deals with the National League can go ahead outside the window. There are deep pockets in the level below and a lot less stigma at dropping down than maybe 10 years ago.

That would help in money terms, although City’s seriousness in going for the Football League Trophy this season will offer more chances for those now stuck on the fringes.

Hughes added: “If we feel players will benefit from going out, then there could be possibilities. But we’re not looking at that at the moment.

“We’re trying to have a really successful season. That means doing well in all the cup competitions.

“I showed my intent in the Carabao, but we’re now out of that one, so our focus goes on the other ones that we’re in.

“We haven’t done as well historically in the Papa Johns as we needed.

“It’s going to become more of a priority than maybe other years, just because it makes financial sense to be able to do that - and because of the squad we’ve got, I think we can.”