CITY must hit new heights to topple League One leaders Coventry tonight, Phil Parkinson has stressed.

Parkinson wants to see a "cup-tie" intensity at Valley Parade for the clash between the division's two form sides.

The Bantams have moved to the edge of the play-off zone with a nine-game unbeaten charge, including six straight clean sheets.

But the boss admits they will have to take it up a notch to unseat the Sky Blues.

Parkinson said: "The lads are confident, Coventry will be also, and I feel it's a game where we've got to take the qualities we've shown in recent weeks but go up another level.

"Sometimes you go into these games against the top teams in your league and you have to treat it like you're playing someone from the Championship.

"We've got to be better than we have been at any time in this recent run to get the result."

Parkinson believes City can take a leaf out of Liverpool's book against Tony Mowbray's free-scoring men, who have won their last four games.

The Bantams boss said: "The good thing from our point of view is that the lads are looking so fit. They are looking really sharp in training and that's a good sign at this time of the year.

"You look at the Premier League and the teams full of running like Tottenham and Liverpool are doing the best. We look like a team that can really cover the ground.

"We're going to need that extra edge about our performance in terms of the determination and desire.

"It's good to watch the top teams and you look at Liverpool at the weekend. Jurgen Klopp's interview might have touched a bit on their tactical masterplan but he really spoke about the desire of his team and how much more they wanted it than Man City on the day.

"We've got to play in that manner. Win, lose or draw I want our supporters to be driving away saying that we've given absolutely everything.

"All the lads signed at this club have come here to play in front of big crowds like the cup nights we've had. This is one of those and we've got to thrive on the back of that.

"The lads are itching for it. When you're down on the training pitch and you're having to tell them to get off, you know you're in a good place."

Ben Williams has not conceded a goal for 578 minutes, nearly ten hours of football, since Michael Jacobs scored for Wigan at Valley Parade on October 24.

The City keeper said: "It's hard enough in the Premier League and the record there is 14 clean sheets, which is astronomical. But they are world-class players used to doing that.

"At our level, there is a mix in abilities in teams you will play and that many different scenarios that can crop up. Goals can come in from all angles.

"You work hard to create your own luck but I wouldn't say I was playing any differently to the start of the season.

"When the luck's against you, it comes in droves – like the Fleetwood freak goal and the one against Shrewsbury, which took two ricochets and spun over me and Rozza (Rory McArdle).

"But when it's with you, like when the Scunthorpe lad dragged his shot wide on Saturday, you think the gods are smiling down.

"You create some sort of record, get the clean sheet and a win and it pushes you up the table.

"Coventry will be a tough test but an exciting one which we want to put ourselves through because we want to progress up the league."