CITY are dusting themselves off after another defeat against a side above them in the League Two promotion mix.

Here’s a few talking points after the 3-0 loss at leaders Leyton Orient at the weekend.

MAKE IT COUNT

It sounds obvious but the game would have been very different if City had made their fast start count with an early goal.

By the final whistle, it had almost been forgotten that the visitors were much the better side for the opening quarter.

But - in a flashback to the Northampton game - they paid a heavy price for not taking their chances during that encouraging spell.

The penalty shouts were fair enough and, on second view, Tyreik Wright was clearly nudged in the back by centre half Omar Beckles even if he was waiting for the contact.

But City must rediscover that cutting edge around the box again to turn good periods of pressure into genuine reward.

POWERS OF RECOVERY

City conceded the opening goal for only the fifth time this season.

And for the fifth time out of 20 league games, it ended in defeat.

It doesn’t happen often that the Bantams suffer the first blow but the lack of response when they do should be a concern for Mark Hughes.

City have rescued only one point from a losing position so far when Vadaine Oliver headed the last-gasp equaliser at home to Wimbledon in September.

But they are yet to take anything from a match when they go 1-0 down.

As a contrast, look at Northampton’s comeback record. They have taken 11 points from the eight games when they have conceded first and lost only three of them.

Every other team in League Two, barring Barrow, have clawed back something after letting in the opening goal. City have got to buck up their ideas to make sure they can start responding in the same way.

MIDFIELD MUDDLE

Richie Smallwood and Alex Gilliead have been the go-to midfield axis under Hughes.

Since Hughes converted Gilliead into a regular, deeper-lying midfielder, that pairing has been a regular fixture on the team sheet. But is it about time to shake things up?

City found themselves overrun in the middle of the park by Leyton Orient’s more mobile and physical middle three - just as they had been two weeks earlier against Northampton.

It sounds like a stuck record at this time every year but a controlling central midfielder has got to be high on the shopping list for the January transfer window.

Ryan East must wonder what he’s got to do to get a run in the team but a quality reinforcement is needed in an area where City look second best.

WALKER’S CRISP?

Jamie Walker’s first league appearance since the opening day was a welcome sight even if the treble sub just after the hour point failed to shift the momentum.

The Scot has been a big miss in City’s attack for the nearly four months that he has been out of action following his knee surgery.

Hughes is carefully drip-feeding him back into the action as the City boss does with long-term absentees.

It’s a wise move not to rush Walker back with so much football to play but he’s packed about an hour under his belt so far.

It must be very tempting to throw him in from the start - certainly in the next home game against Rochdale if not at Gillingham on Sunday.

Walker’s return will provided a much-needed lift in the stands where he is a firm favourite and he can hopefully deliver the goal input from midfield that City are still lacking.

DEFENCE DILEMMA

Matty Platt does not look the same authoritative figure at the heart of City’s back four without Romoney Crichlow.

A solid defensive record this season has been built around the partnership of the two contrasting centre halves. Their different styles have combined to provide a solid base to underpin the backline.

Take Crichlow away, though, and Platt’s usual confidence and command seems to be lacking.

Whether it’s Yann Songo’o or Timi Odusina playing at his side, the number five does not impose himself to the same degree.

City have lost the last three league games when Crichlow has been absent. They need him back from injury as quickly as possible.

TEN-POINT PLAN

The fixture schedule has thrown up some potential Christmas presents to help the Bantams get back on track.

Three of the next four games are against teams in the bottom five - starting with a Gillingham side who have not scored in their last six league outings.

We’ve all been there before with those sort of stats - remember Harrogate earlier this season and they are due back at Valley Parade before the month is up.

But games against Gillingham, Rochdale and Harrogate should represent three wins for a team with genuine promotion aspirations.

There’s also a tricky-looking Boxing Day trip to Carlisle, who currently sit above City in fifth on goal difference.

Ten points from those four games to see off the year would rid some of the angst from playing at home and get everyone in fine spirits to attack 2023.