As Bob Dylan would say, the times they are a-changin’.

After Saturday’s result against Coventry, it feels like the sky is the limit in League One this season for the Bantams. The players and fans alike seem so upbeat after our best league start since 1997. Further to that, how many times in the past three or four years have we crumbled after conceding first in a match in the league? How many times have we looked void of ideas after going into the half-time break a goal down? Times and old habits seem to be changing early on this season at Valley Parade.

Now I don’t want to be called out on the fact we’ve only played four league games so far this term and so on because I can’t remember, other than the 2-1 win over L***s in the cup a few years back, a quicker turnaround that Bradford have orchestrated in recent years. Granted two of the goals on Saturday were penalties, and after the first Jordan Turnball was sent off for the visitors Coventry, but the team looked inspired, fresh and in control during that second half. Certainly the first half display was well below standard but the reaction from the players in the second 45 was spot on. The departure of Phil Parkinson last month seems just a distant memory right now as Stuart McCall and his staff have done a fantastic job of morphing this Bradford City side into a well-oiled machine, tight in defence but exciting and free flowing in attack within a matter of weeks. Not to mention the fact that with time his tactics and style of play will only become more familiar to the players in the squad and will hopefully reap even bigger rewards.

I still feel however that slightly more squad depth is needed at Valley Parade. If the whole City squad was fit, in my opinion, we have a top three side in this division but when injuries hit were lacking in reserve in certain areas. This is most evident at right-back currently as Saturdays man-of-the-match Tony McMahon and former captain Stephen Darby are both out injured and with McCall saying no loan option will be added to the set up then who will play in this position on Saturday afternoon? Another back up winger would be a good signing for City and despite our three goals on Saturday against Coventry; we’re still lacking another option up top, someone who can find the net consistently. Acquire that forward, stay mostly injury free and this season looks very promising from the off for the Bantams.

What about Oldham then? Well the Latics are yet to find their feet this season to some extent. In the league after four matches, our visitors on Saturday afternoon have five points but have only managed one goal during that time. That’s worse than what we usually are in front of goal!!

Under the guidance of manager Steve Robinson and with League One being so competitive this season, expect Oldham Athletic to be looking for a finish between 7th and 10th place with a possible sneak into the play-off positions come the end of the season. With 18 new signings this summer it’s understandable to assume that Oldham haven’t fully clicked as of yet in the league and, like City themselves, with more time they could become a force in League One this term.

Oldham themselves do have some good players for League One. The addition of veteran centre-back Peter Clarke is a solid acquisition whilst in midfield, former Rotherham man Paul Green is capable of the pulling the strings. On the wing Ryan Flynn can certainly be dangerous and upfront the likes of Jake Cassidy and Ollie Banks can be a handful for any defence on their day.

Bradford and Oldham did do some business this summer as well as central midfielder/defender Timothee Dieng swapped Boundary Park for Valley Parade on a free transfer. The 24 year old looks so far like a great addition to our team in the small amount of football he has played. Strong and versatile in both midfield and defence, Dieng is the perfect player for any club in League One.

Our midfield in general looks so strong this season. Nicky Law has played well since joining from Rangers; Daniel Devine has made a rip-roaring start to life in the starting XI whilst West Ham loanee and Romain Vincelot have looked very good in all league games they have featured in. When we lost Lee Evans and Josh Cullen after last season I thought we’d really struggle to maintain the quality in the centre of the park but if anything our options in that department are even stronger this time around.

Another difficult match up on Saturday afternoon then but one of which Bradford should be looking to get all three points from especially as Oldham struggle in front of goal at the moment.