CITY’S management duo Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars are happy with their interim status.

The pair take their unbeaten run to Exeter this afternoon for the first of seven games in a frenetic February.

There have been calls from fans to upgrade their rank after picking up 18 points from a possible 24 since succeeding Stuart McCall.

But chief executive Ryan Sparks confirmed that they are not pushing the club for a decision.

He said: “The feedback I get from Mark and Conor is that they’re not really thinking about being permanently employed in management roles.

“They are talking about winning football matches, that’s what they are focusing on. They are comfortable with the position they are in.

“Mark and Conor know where they stand. We talk very regularly and have a fantastic relationship.

“That’s key as well. We trust each other, we’re all working together and they are getting on with the job.”

Trueman and Sellars have won five and drawn three since being promoted from their academy coaching roles on a caretaker basis nearly two months ago.

City also made nine signings in the window under their watch – as well as releasing six other players.

Sparks added: “They are continuing to develop and that’s the reason they were put in interim charge, which for some people was a title change but for us as a club was much more than that.

“It’s worked exactly as I had hoped. It’s given them the opportunity to face a full transfer window, not just January but preparing in December and now February as well with the aftermath – incorporating those players and squad management.

“There are a number of things that they’ve had to go through and I wanted to see how they responded. They’ve dealt with everything very well.”

Trueman has decisions to make for the trip to St James Park with deadline-day arrivals Charlie Vernam and Ollie Crankshaw adding to his options at the end of a very productive window.

“From a recruitment perspective, if you’ve got momentum, which these guys have given the club, when you are doing a lot, do more,” said Sparks.

“Inject more adrenaline – and that’s what we are trying to do.

“They talked to me about wanting higher levels of intensity in training and that quite frankly, with all due respect, meant parting company with players that perhaps aren’t able to operate at a level we believe is going to take us forward.

“We’ve replaced them with players that potentially can.

“There have been almost as many exits as incomings.

“It’s not just about adding but we’ve now got a strong squad where if players have a dip, they are not the first name on the team sheet and are looking over their shoulders again.

“That’s the only way things will get better. Players want that.

“Speak to any professional. They want to be at the top of their game and the best they can be – and they want to be pushed.

“Look at the way Callum Cooke is progressing in our squad, Elliot Watt, Levi Sutton, Paudie O’Connor – these are players who have had a real upturn in form.

“They are playing with better players and it’s bringing more out of them and their confidence is growing.

“They’ve perhaps been through some tough times with us and have had to go through failed seasons and even relegation.

“You are now seeing how powerful confidence and momentum can be. But it’s important we keep that up.”

City are eight points behind the eighth-placed Grecians with a game in hand. With nearly half the season still to be played, Sparks says Trueman and Sellars are excited by how things could pan out.

“They are on a journey. We talk about it all the time but they know they are in a good place.

“We’re enjoying it and it’s certainly opening things up as far as the league table goes. Teams are starting to look at us and wonder.

“We were 22nd in the league just outside the relegation zone on goal difference when they took the job. We were facing the nightmare prospect of the National League.

“To a degree, that fight isn’t over until we are mathematically safe. They know that is a big milestone for them and the club.

“Our feet are placed firmly on the ground but the division is pretty much wide open. Anything is achievable.

“There is no pressure on that. We’re going to try to finish the season as best we can and we’ve put everything out there in January.

“We’ve given ourselves a shot and I’m sure the characters that have come through the door are going to really help us.”