MARK Hughes has reinforced the message that this season will be a squad game for City.

Hughes acknowledged the efforts of Vadaine Oliver and Lee Angol in reviving their fortunes against Wimbledon.

Oliver scored the stoppage-time equaliser and fellow substitute Angol helped the Bantams hold the ball better around the penalty area.

Angol had not featured in the previous three games while centre forward Oliver’s opportunities have so far been limited by Andy Cook’s scoring form.

Fellow strikers Jake Young and Kian Harratt both remained on the bench again - prompting Harratt’s dad to have a dig on social media.

But Hughes stressed that it is very much a numbers game in his eyes and players will come in and out.

“I’ve always said this is why we’ve got a big squad,” said the City boss.

“We know through the course of the year, we will drop players out of the team because of injuries, suspensions and the like. That’s a given.

“What we feel we’ve got this year is real strength. When we do lose players, then those coming in are of a similar stature and ability.

“I think it’s a real advantage for us, certainly in comparison with last year when it was more difficult to keep the level high if we lost key players out the side.

“This year, I think everybody has seen I’ve changed things round. Guys have come in, done well, and gone out the team again and someone else has come in and done well.

“I think it’s just keeping everybody on their toes.

“Clearly, we’ve got a spine through the team that we try and keep predominantly sound and in position.

“But for the most part, certainly in the attacking areas, we can swap things around with the options we’ve got.

“We can introduce players later in games as well and they are still having an impact for us.”

Angol started five of City’s first six league games but had not been on the pitch since the goalless draw with Crewe at the end of last month. Hughes was impressed with his response at the weekend.

Hughes added: “He was able to retain the ball and resist challenges which, in fairness, we weren’t very good at right throughout the team.

“Sometimes you’ve got to resist a challenge knowing that you’re not going to get a free-kick if you go to ground.

“Lee did really well in that aspect. He retained the ball back to goal and got us up the top end of the pitch, which is what we needed.

“Too often, we weren’t retaining the ball in the opposition half and it was coming back at us. We needed that ability which he gave us.”

As a former player, Hughes can understand the frustration for those not involved. But his policy of “mixing things up” will continue.

“Clearly, we don’t want to disrupt things too radically. But I certainly think I can continue in the same vein and it will help the players.

“Sometimes they don’t appreciate it. Most players work exceptionally hard during the week and they want an outlet for their efforts.

“If you’re not giving them that, they can get frustrated.

“I know I was disappointed when I wasn’t playing. But I knew I was ready to go full tilt at the next opportunity.

“That’s what the players have got to recognise and understand and I think they do.”