Gary Bowyer insists his Bantams will not overlook the threat Scunthorpe United pose, in tomorrow’s trip to Glanford Park (3.00pm).
Saturday’s opponents have endured a tough start to the Sky Bet League Two campaign, currently sitting 23rd in the table.
But Bowyer expects the Iron to have recovered, come the end of the season, and is well aware of the challenge ahead.
He said: "I think everyone is surprised by the way Scunthorpe have started the season and where they currently are in the league.
"I say currently, because they have a good side with a top manger. I fully expect them to bounce back and do well, this year.
"Paul Hurst knows an awful lot about this league and has set about the rebuilding job he has at Scunthorpe extremely well.
"Having watched their matches this season, they are a good team with some great players.
"We are well aware we will be in for a very tough game, on Saturday."
Bowyer is looking forward to continuing a positive run, when his Bantams make the trip to North Lincolnshire.
He stressed the importance of building a passionate team supporters can relate to and believes this will set the tone for a positive future.
The City chief added: "In terms of having an exciting team supporters can be proud of, we are getting there, and are working a lot on it.
"As we have mentioned before, we are still going through a bedding in period. It takes time to build the kind of relationships which lead to success.
"Even things as simple as the full-backs developing relationships with the wingers - and them doing the same with the strikers - can sometimes take a while.
"We are looking for things like that all over the pitch, and off the pitch. We will be a lot better for it.
"We have to make sure we continue our growth on Saturday, at Scunthorpe."