LIAM Ridehalgh wants City to ram home the advantage of a Valley Parade double-header to get back among League Two’s leading pack.

The Bantams host Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool in the space of four days as they aim to build on an unbeaten start to the season on home soil.

Derek Adams’ side have taken 11 points from their five Valley Parade outings so far and Ridehalgh views the upcoming games as a real opportunity to close on the top teams.

The experienced defender said: “These are big weeks when you’ve got the quick turnaround with two home games.

“Grab the six points and you suddenly find yourselves climbing up into the play-offs or even the top three.

“We thrive off playing at Valley Parade. We’re lucky to have a very big fan base and we want to make it a fortress.

“We’re unbeaten there at the minute and we want to continue that throughout the season.

“You want to win all your home games, that’s where you do feel you’ve got an advantage over the opposition.

“We want to make Valley Parade as tough as it can be for other teams and use that backing.

“You’ve seen that during the tricky spells we have had during home games. The fans have got right behind us and it’s turned around in our favour.”

After a miserable September, City have bounced back with four points from the last two games and successive clean sheets.

Ridehalgh was pleased with the way they dug in for a draw at Newport.

“I think that will be a big point come the end of the season,” he added.

“It’s always a tough place through my career. They are very good at home, they get right in your face and do make it hard for you to play football.

“I heard all the chanting (against Adams) but it adds to the atmosphere and the spice of the game.

“We obviously go out to win every game but we’ll take the clean sheet and the point. It’s something we can build on Saturday.

“The results through September weren’t where we want them to be but I believe the confidence is coming back.

“The positive signs are that we are still there and still creating chances.

“Three points on Saturday to go with the win at home last time and the draw at Newport would be a good return from these three games.”

Adams reckons the clash with Rovers will be "one of the best games in the division". And he is not underestimating the task that City face.

“They are one of the bigger clubs in League Two,” he said. “The history will tell you that.

“Bristol Rovers are a club that want to get to the Championship and they’ve got the infrastructure and fanbase and people on board to do that.

“They are a well-run football club from the point of view they take in a good number of supporters on a weekly basis.

“They also have a backer that enables them to finance the deals that they do in the transfer market.

“Bristol Rovers probably have one of the strongest squads in the division and a lot of experience with Paul Coutts and Glen Whelan in the middle of the pitch.They have built a strong base for this season."