WHEN Pep Clotet takes his seat at Valley Parade tomorrow, the Oxford United boss can be forgiven for casting envious glances at the hosts.

Bradford City are on course for their third top-six finish in a row, with a core of players who have been regulars for well over a season.

They have had just two managers since 2011, with Stuart McCall arriving 18 months ago.

It has led to stability and the sort of progress which Clotet hopes to emulate at United – but the Spaniard stressed it did not happen overnight.

He said: “It is what brings success to clubs.

“The fact people expect unbelievable results straight away is against the nature of the game.

“You have to work hard at first to make the players think in the same way with the same mentality.

“Then the second step is getting everyone (using) the maximum of their ability for the benefit of everyone.

“That takes a little bit of time, it’s not easy to get these things in one season.

“This is the club’s second season in League One and now we’re working hard to establish us in a good part of the table.

“That’s what clubs like Bradford did years ago.

“That creates success you can sustain so one day you can compete at the next level.”

Getting the time to implement those ideas is not a luxury afforded to many – a fifth of the clubs in the top four divisions have changed managers since Clotet started in July.

United have had to take plenty of flak in the wake of last weekend’s 7-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic, but Clotet believes the time for judgement should be in May.

“We have to analyse after the season and put on the table what the team has been through and take that into consideration,” he said.

“I understand everyone is a little bit angry after what happened on Saturday.

“But when we look at what we’ve been through, what has gone against us and how the team have responded, I think those things become your strength and you (become more) resilient.

“Despite all that we’re not in a bad position.”