GRAHAM Alexander has described Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni as an "unbelievable human being" ahead of Saturday's top-three reunion with City.
Four players who featured in the home side's last league outing have been managed by the Bantams boss previously - including commanding centre half Piergianni at Salford.
Jordan Roberts played under Alexander for Motherwell, Charlie Goode began his career with him at Scunthorpe and Dan Kemp, who this week signed a new long-term contract, played in his brief tenure with MK Dons.
"Every player has their attributes but when they go to a different team, they get asked to do something else and play different tactics," said Alexander.
"You can have a little bit of inside knowledge but you're talking about three or four players and they've got 20 that will be involved in the squad. I'm more focused about my players and what we do in the game.
"It's always good when we've had success with players to see them every now and again. We always watch their progress.
"Carl Piergianni, I'm thinking of specifically, but there are other lads, Jordan Roberts, Charlie Goode, Dan Kemp."
Piergianni, a familiar foe for City, is closing on 150 league games for Stevenage since signing in 2022.
He was a huge figure in the Salford side, which also included Bantams defender Ibou Touray, that won promotion to the EFL three years earlier with Alexander at the helm.
"I put him on a par with what Max Power is here for us," added Alexander.
"He's an unbelievable human being and character and personality and he was a brilliant player for us in that period at Salford.
"We've been especially pleased with his progress because he hadn't played in the Football League until he played with us.
"When we got there, he'd just come out of Conference North. To see him in League One and winning promotion from League Two, we're absolutely buzzing for him because he's a brilliant guy.
"It will be good to see him. But he's a formidable opponent as they all are."
City fans know about his aerial danger from set-pieces.
Piergianni scored the last time they went to the Lamex Stadium in February 2023 - a 3-2 away win for Mark Hughes' men. He also netted for Oldham against the Bantams during the behind-closed-doors season.
Alexander remembers the 11 goals Piergianni contributed during Salford's promotion-winning season from the National League, including one at Wembley in the play-off final.
"He was like a magnet, it was ridiculous.
"Every other player at set-pieces was a decoy really to get Pierg come and attacking it.
"We know his threats, and the other guys, but it's about our team up against theirs on the day.
"We know we've got a good team full of motivated players and we're determined to continue the run we're on."