CRAWLEY was the stage where City reversed their fortunes last season and launched a mid-season revival.

A plucky midweek point in December under the caretaker charge of Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars ended the six-game losing streak that had done for Stuart McCall.

And it began a remarkable recovery as the Bantams went the first eight matches of the untried duo’s joint leadership unbeaten to push well clear of the relegation battle they had been sucked into.

Returning to the compact ground in the shadow of Gatwick airport nine months on, City are again looking for lift-off after a touch of turbulence.

Six games without a win since last month’s comeback triumph at Mansfield, injuries are also biting with Andy Cook the only forward travelling.

Callum Cooke played in that last trip to Crawley – and recalled how they drew a line in the sand at a time when they had been written off.

“It was a bit of a weird one because we’d lost Stuart a couple of days before and only had one training session in the build-up with the duo,” said the midfielder.

“But we went down there and had two or three good opportunities and could have nicked it on another night.

“We went in front through Lee Novak and they scored from a set-piece.

“But given they were scoring for fun at the time and the games before that we were wide open and teams were cutting through us, I thought we did really well to go there and nullify their threats.

“It’s a long way and that does play a part. It’s going to be a tough, physical game on a tight ground and their fans are right on top of you.

“But if we can go down there again and pick up the three points, then the one we got against Barrow after coming from behind might not look too bad.”

City top the table in League Two in terms of chances with 125 created so far. But just two goals from their last six outings in all competitions highlights a costly shortfall.

But Cook expects that to change “with the law of averages” and does not sense any dip in confidence or players going into their shell.

“I don’t think that will ever be the case here. The gaffer has given us licence to play.

“He says before every game to just go out and enjoy it. That’s all you want to hear as a footballer to be able to express yourself and not just told what to do.

“He lets us do that and it will probably be the same against Crawley.

“It’s good to play in this team because we are free-flowing and always creating chances.

“We go back to the big point of sticking it in the back of the net which isn’t going for us right now. But as long as we’re creating the chances, I’m sure that will definitely turn soon.”

Cook has had 20 efforts at goal so far without being able to add to his free-kick at Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

“I’m dying to open my league account,” he added. “It’s no secret I want to chip in with goals this season as well as assists.

“Definitely the goal tally for me needs to be above a minimum of five.

“I’ve had chances and just need to keep getting into the box. The gaffer is always telling me that and I try to with every attack we get.

“As long as I’m getting in those areas, the ball will probably bounce in off my knee.

“Getting off the mark, however I do it, will just be a weight off my shoulders and then I can enjoy everything else. It will happen eventually if I keep plugging away and keep shooting.”