GARY Bowyer reckons his City side have “got each other’s backs” as they look to extend their unbeaten start tomorrow against Forest Green.

The Bantams head into the Valley Parade clash in second spot after the battling midweek win at Stevenage.

Bowyer has been delighted to see that group mentality emerge – and believes it is a result of the different team-bonding exercises used in pre-season.

He said: “You saw how we took them out of their comfort zone with the boxing, the wrestling and climbing.

“They learned to put their trust in one another and have each other’s back. That was the plan.

“The players probably thought they were just having a day off but there was actual meaning behind it for nights like Tuesday and periods of the game that will come this weekend, no doubt.

“One of the things that really pleased me at Stevenage was how they celebrated.

“I know it was an own goal but they all went to Connor Wood to acknowledge the quality of the corner when we scored.

“Then there was the way the team celebrated at the end with the fans. I thought that was magnificent and a really good moment for the football club.”

New signing Callum Cooke is expected to come straight into the squad after his arrival from Peterborough.

Bowyer is still working on another recruit but that’s unlikely to happen in time to be involved tomorrow.

He added: “Everybody is in competition but we have the selling point of our wonderful supporters. I also hope the player will want to come and join us with the start we’ve made.”

While pleased with clocking up back-to-back wins, the Bantams boss warned: “It’s only four games in. It’s a long, long road.

“It’s a new team and we’re putting that together. It does take time.

“But we’ve got the mentality very early and that’s a massive strength.

“I’ve seen some really promising signs for the group that we’ll need throughout the season.”

City will make a late check on Adam Henley, whose groin problem is not as bad as feared when he was forced off in the first half. Jordan Gibson is back in contention after training yesterday.

Forest Green suffered a first loss at Port Vale in midweek but Bowyer anticipates a different test from last season’s play-off semi-finalists.

“They play the game in a brave way and I like the way they go about it,” he said. “It’s been good to watch in the videos.

“They will present us with a good challenge and it’s a little bit different to what we’ve encountered. But so far the players have stood up and been counted.”