Southend United v Bradford City: Bradford are staying grounded under McCall

A key part of the City line-up for the past three seasons, the Australian full-back is the first to admit that the pure footballing traits of Stuart McCall are serving the club distinctly well in 2016-17, with the club’s lofty league position being full testament to that.

Equally, Meredith believes that the organisational standards taught by McCall’s predecessor, Phil Parkinson, have stayed strong and are also integral to their high-ranking.

On occasions this season, second-placed City have sparkled, but have also dug in when needs must, as could well be the case this afternoon when they make the long trip to Southend United in darkest November.

Meredith said: “The one thing I love about this season is the style of football we are playing. It is the same in training and we take it out onto the pitch and it is attractive football.

“We have made some good signings and Nicky Law, Nathaniel (Knight-Percival) and Romaine (Vincelot) are all good footballers who get the ball down and play.

“But we all work hard and the horrible side needs doing as well and we are able to do that too.”

Where McCall’s footballing credos differs from Parkinson, his belief in keeping humble and grounded certainly does not, with the Bantams players’ mindset consistently similar under both managers in Meredith’s eyes.

The defender, one of the established crop of senior players at the club at the age of 28, added: “The mood in the camp is good. We have a good team spirit and the lads are happy with the way everything is going.

“I think the manager is playing down the position we are in and does not want anyone getting ahead of themselves, which is good.

“But I do not think we are the type of team who are like that anyway. We are a good set of lads who are honest and work hard. We all are good mentally.”