DEREK Adams wants clubs to show how much they are spending to give a true reflection on how they are performing.

City are preparing to take on Gary Bowyer’s Salford – who have been well backed by their “Class of ‘92” owners to shoot up the divisions into League Two.

Having steered minnows Morecambe to promotion from the fourth tier last term on the lowest budget, Adams insists that money does not guarantee success.

But while he has no issues with clubs being fast-tracked with heavy backing, the Bantams chief would love to have the figures revealing how much each team have splashed out put in the public domain.

“I’ve always said that I wish budgets would go out and managers and coaches would get judged on the budget they have,” said Adams.

“That doesn’t happen and it never has. Football clubs don’t want for it to happen.

“We’ve got loosely what we all presume is the budget that a football club has. We all know that there are ways round it and it’s not as stern as it can be.

“I think as a manager and coach you want to be judged on how much money you’ve had to spend.”

Salford went into their third season as a league club as promotion favourites with the bookies but have made a slow start with just one win.

Adams added: “It doesn’t matter how much money you have but how you use it to take in the players and build a team.

“I’ve shown that through my managerial career. I’ve had two transfer fees for £15,000 and £25,000.

“Last season Bradford City spent a lot more than that. It just shows you that it is a difficult business.

“When you’re looking for free agents, it becomes even more difficult.”

Facing a club with bigger resources can also act as a motivational tool – something Adams has used in the past.

“I think it was (an added incentive) when I was at Plymouth Argyle and going up against Portsmouth.

“They used to not be too happy about it because I would always bring up that their budget was bigger than ours.

“I think that’s why Gareth (Evans) had his say on the occasion because he didn’t like it we were the ones that didn’t have the money. Portsmouth were spending the money and we got the better of them.

“It does motivate you. That definitely happens in football.”

Former City boss Bowyer’s presence on the touchline in front of 1,300 away fans will add spice to the occasion tomorrow.

“I’ve missed the edge to the games,” said Adams. "There hasn’t been much for two years now because of no supporters.

“It became a lot better when we had the Tranmere games at the end of the season (with Morecambe) and then the play-off final.

“I think at the start of this season there is definitely an edge and the excitement is there.

“It’s not easy at Salford because the dug-outs are close to the supporters. It’s a tight ground and that adds to the atmosphere.”