Majority of Bradford City fans understand our patient, possession-based approach insists Mark Hughes

City took time to break down midweek opponents Tranmere before Jamie Walker's opener on the stroke of half-time.

There was unease among some home followers at a perceived inability to turn possession into clear-cut chances ahead of that moment and before Andy Cook made the game safe in the 74th minute with a header in a 2-0 win.

Hughes, whose side have won back-to-back games and are seeking to end a good week on a high note at home to Barrow on Saturday, explained: "I have talked before about the balance. If we need to go long, we go long.

"I don't advocate playing over and over again in areas where it's not the right thing to do. We do (go long sometimes) and you see that in our play and when we get the balance right, I think we're excellent.

"It (Tuesday) was a case of drawing the opposition out because they did not really want to engage and dropped off and we had to be patient to play through the lines and when we did, then we were right at their back four with good possession in key areas of the field rather than just going back to front where if it's a 50-50 and there's a turn-over, you get transitions and when there's too many in the game that's when you lose control.

"I thought that element of our play was strong and don't think there was too much sound from the crowd. They understood. There were maybe a couple of occasions when they thought we took one pass too many, but more often than not, we worked the position and then got up the pitch. It's how we play, we play this way and I think we will create chances and win games like this."

On the importance of retaining possession, Hughes continued: "You put the game at risk sometimes when you constantly hit balls into areas and are chasing after it as you get too many turnovers.

"It takes just one quality ball into your box and you can concede. It's keeping control of the ball and possession and the best way to defend is in possession of the ball. We had something like 56 per cent of possession and that's maybe why they couldn't get anywhere near us."