FROM 1,149 to zero – City will step back out in front of deserted stands at Valley Parade again this weekend.

The midweek trip to Crawley, where the Bantams were greeted by a raucous home crowd, had raised hopes of seeing something similar against Cambridge.

But that was quickly dashed by Matt Hancock’s announcement in the House of Commons that West Yorkshire are staying put in tier three.

So, Finn Cousin-Dawson is still waiting to play a competitive game in front of City supporters.

“I thought it might have happened the week after but hopefully when the government decide again after Christmas, we’ll have some fans back in,” said the teenage defender.

“Even Crawley with 1,100 there, it felt like a lot more. The fans really did make a big atmosphere.

“We are missing them here but hopefully they will be back in soon.

“It’s going to be a big occasion for me when that happens. I’m looking forward to it.”

Cousin-Dawson made his seventh start in City’s 1-1 draw on Tuesday and produced a solid display at right back.

This will be his third full appearance at home – and he admits it is strange to see such a vast arena empty.

“When I was a youth team player, I’d come to watch the games and you’d normally have 15,000 plus.

“It is a bit weird having such a big stadium empty but we can’t let that affect us as a team. We’ve got to go out and put on a performance for those watching on iFollow.”

Cousin-Dawson insists the players are well aware of the many looking on from home. But bedding into the team at a time when there are no crowds has probably made for a smoother transition for the squad’s youngest members.

He added: “A lot of the senior players have had years of playing in front of thousands of people.

“I wouldn’t say it’s easier (without a crowd) but you get used to not having fans get on top of you if you make a mistake or opposition fans trying to put you off.

“Tuesday was a lot different for me because, as a young player, I haven’t really played a lot with fans there anyway. It puts a bit of pressure on but you’ve just got to block it out and play your own game.

“I thought I dealt with it okay and just tried to focus on my game and the team.”

Cousin-Dawson and fellow first years Kian Scales, Connor Shanks, Jorge Sikora and the injured Reece Staunton have had to grow up fast in a daunting first season.

They have been thrown in the deep end to a degree as City continue to struggle.

Stuart McCall’s sacking last week brought further upheaval – but not as much for the rookies who have come up the ranks under the tuition of temporary bosses Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars.

Cousin-Dawson said: “Both Mark and Conor have had a massive influence on my career. I was in the youth team with them for two years and they improved me a lot.

“They got me to first-year pro and having them come in as coaches, I know the way they want to play. I know they trust me to play in that position.”

Cousin-Dawson believes City can take plenty of confidence from their midweek point, ending a six-game losing streak, as the prepare to face Cambridge and league-leading goal-scorer Paul Mullin.

“Every team will have some sort of threat and we’ve got to look to minimise that. Defend as a team and do what we did on Tuesday.

“The comments from the coaches Mark and Conor were to just try and stay compact and defend as a unit and we’ll get our chances.

“It was important just to get out of that little rut that we’ve been in. A point away at Crawley on a Tuesday night is a good result.”