Matt Taylor reckons League One’s top three are setting a pace that’s too hot to handle.

City are hanging on to the coat-tails of the front group in sixth.

But Taylor believes the rest of the division are currently playing for fourth spot because they are trailing in the wake of leading trio Leyton Orient, Wolves and Peterborough.

The centre half (pictured), recently back from a loan spell at Colchester, said: “The top three are a class apart at the moment. That can change but in terms of form right now, they are going to take some stopping.

“It’s a tough division. Look at the top half and apart from the front three, everyone is battling for a play-off spot – and we’re still in a great position.

"I thought we were the better team against Wolves but that shows the quality they’ve got to dig in and grind out a result.

“I played against Wolves with Colchester. So when Kevin Doyle wasn’t starting I was so surprised because (Leigh) Griffiths and him are such a handful.

“They are top quality players. Doyle has played most of his career in the Premier League so when they brought him on, I knew how difficult it was going to be.

“He changed the game for that period in the first half when they got on top. But I thought we played very well that day and deserved something.”

Taylor has been on the bench for the past three games since his brief spell in Essex.

Phil Parkinson was happy to send him out to get some matches after missing out on a proper pre-season and Taylor felt the benefit.

He added: “It was good to go out and get some minutes under my belt. It was what I needed.

“Colchester had 11 injuries at the time so it was a tough month. We didn’t really train because they were scared of anyone else getting injured.

“They were down to the bare bones and were bringing in 16 and 17-year-old lads off the bench.

“We played some good teams but it generally went well. They’ve got some good players and will come good.

“I enjoyed it there. It’s good to see what this league’s about this season and Colchester was the ideal place to do that.”

Taylor earned rave reviews from Parkinson’s old club but still has a fight on his hands to break into the City team. Even without the sidelined Andrew Davies, the recent arrival of free agent Matthew Bates leaves him waiting for a chance.

“I’m aiming to push for a place but the lads have been excellent in the games I’ve seen since coming back. Although we haven’t picked up the points we’d like, I’m not sure he’d change it for the time being.

“We’re strong in that department and Batesy has been excellent so far. It’s good to have all these options.

“You want to keep playing and the next couple of months are going to be massive in terms of some big fixtures coming up. Hopefully I’ll be part of that.”