City boss Phil Parkinson believes there are certainly things his players can learn from after the Bantams suffered their first loss of pre-season against League 1 Bury this Saturday.
After winning four friendlies in a row coming into the game, an early own goal from Jon McLaughlin, plus further strikes from Bury forwards Lenell John-Lewis and Lateef Elford-Alliyu saw City's first home match since the end of last season finish in defeat.
Never keen to lose any fixture, friendly or otherwise, Parkinson was unhappy with certain aspects of City's play during the majority of the Valley Parade fixture.
Also keen to look at the bigger picture as well, however, Parkinson still feels his side are in good shape going into the start of the season later this month.
Parkinson added: "Obviously, it was a pre-season game and the shape of the side was a bit disjointed at times, but I just felt at times we played it too much like a pre-season game.
"It was a bit of a wake up call for us. It showed us that you need to be strong and compete at all times. If ever there's an element of sloppiness in your play at this sort of level, you get punished.
"On one hand, we haven't lost any points today, but before today we've looked like a side that has enjoyed a good pre-season and we've been scoring a lot of goals.
"I think the lads know that we have the makings of a very good side here, or we are at least trying to piece one together at the moment, but you won't win many games of football if you still don't have that discipline off the ball or that desire to harry and hassle.
"I don't want to sound too critical - I am just being honest about the game today. We have to remember that we had a number of substitutions in the game and we've gone into the match a bit disjointed. I think we've ended the game with nine substitutions and a number of trialists on the pitch.
"With that in mind, you have to realistic about today's game.
"We also tried young Fazz (second year apprentice Forrayah Bass) at left back and had James Meredith in central midfield, so I am realistic.
"Like the supporters though, I am also exciting about the season ahead. I can't wait to get going.
"We're going to be strong and we're going to be competitive. If we can get the last one or two players in that we need, I think other teams will look at "Bradford and say 'They're not going to be bad this year'."
Parkinson chose to give summer signing Garry Thompson the final fourteen minutes of the Bury friendly following a recent hamstring problem.
For Thompson, it was his first taste of pre-season for the Bantams after missing City's first four friendlies with the injury.
"It was good for Tommo (Garry Thompson) to be involved today. He was always only going to get the final 15 minutes or so of the match,"added Parkinson.
"He now has the chance to get a good week or two's training under his belt before our league season starts at Gillingham.
"He's going to be a really good asset for us, Tommo is a really good player.
"He's a bit behind fitness-wise because of his recent injury, but we'll get him there."
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