Collins is looking for positives from City's mixed start

It is a sensible mantra, as Michael Collins has discovered during a roller coaster start to life at the helm of Bradford City.

From the joy and relief of victories over Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion to a dispiriting week that brought three defeats and a Carabao Cup exit to League Two strugglers Macclesfield Town, the new Bantams chief has already been put through the emotional wringer.

Throughout these ups and downs of the opening two and a half weeks, the 32-year-old has been determined to remain on an even keel. But, as he admits, it isn’t always easy.

“Burton was a big win for us,” said Collins to The Yorkshire Post, 24 hours on from Tuesday’s much needed 1-0 victory over the newly-relegated Brewers at Valley Parade.

“It is always nice to win because it makes the next few days easier. But you are only ever three or four days – or, at the most a week – from having to do it again.

“You don’t get carried away with a win or too low after a loss. Though that is easier said than done, sometimes. We are all human and we all want to be as successful as we can.

“It is about finding that middle ground. I have had a taste of both sides in these opening four games. I know which one I prefer.

“Hopefully, we will get a lot more of the positive feeling. The main thing, though, was getting a bit of momentum back going into the Wycombe game.”

Another summer appointment yet to taste the downside of management is Barnsley’s Daniel Stendel.

His side have not conceded a goal in four League One outings and sit third in the table with a healthy 10 points.

The German is, however, understood to be on the verge of losing striker Tom Bradshaw to Championship side Millwall.

He is expected to conclude a loan switch to The Den that will become permanent in January.

Bradshaw’s impending departure has taken some of the gloss from the Reds’ impressive start, which continued on Tuesday night with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Rochdale.

Kieffer Moore netted a hat-trick to leave Stendel delighted. “In the first three games he (Moore) worked hard for the team without scoring so it is very good that now he has scored,” said the Barnsley chief. “He is tall, quick and mobile.”