Kian Scales felt City's 3-2 pre-season defeat to Sky Bet League One side Wigan Athletic proved vital preparation for the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign.
The academy graduate netted a sublime first-half lob though his contribution could not save the Bantams from being beaten - in a behind-closed doors friendly at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Despite being disappointed with the final score, Scales confessed his satisfaction in playing more match minutes, and feels prepared for the first round of the Carabao Cup next Saturday.
The 18-year-old stated: “It was a disappointing result in the end, but it is always good to get minutes under the belt.
“We have been training for over a month, however it is not quite the same as match fitness.
"Therefore, it was good for me to get 60 minutes in before the start of the season next week.
“We did want to get a positive result, but defeats against higher-league opponents are not the 'be all' and 'end all', with friendlies.
“Obviously, victories help with confidence, but we were just glad to get the minutes in and, hopefully, will be fully prepared for next week, to bring a victory home.”
The midfielder - in addition to his fellow academy products - has now been a common feature in Stuart McCall’s side during City's pre-season campaign.
The youngster hopes to bring more to the first team, with regards to contributing further up the field.
Scales added: “Since the friendly against Doncaster, I have been trying to bring more goals from midfield and help out the team as much as possible.
“When I was training with the youth team, under Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, they wanted me to play as a deep-lying midfielder.
“However, since I have moved up into the first team, I have been instructed - by the manager and Kenny Black - to play on the front foot more often, and try to push for goals as well as feeding chances to my team mates.
“The move up has been a big step up for as us first-year professionals, but I feel like we have not let anything faze us and are coping really well.
“I think we have shown that in our recent performances, plus we are getting minutes in the first team which definitely helps towards our development.
"With five of us all coming up to the first team, it has really helped with our confidence. We have always got someone to be around in training.
"We know how each other perform therefore we can play off one another and get the best out of each one of us.
"Looking from a personal perspective, I want to do well. I want to score as many goals as possible.
"Hopefully, I can keep supplying my team-mates and get as many minutes in as I can, to kick on and keep improving my game."
The Bantams travel to Bolton Wanderers in the first-round of the Carabao Cup next Saturday (September 5). CLICK HERE to watch the game live.