Video summary
Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Notts County, the manager expressed satisfaction with his team's resilient performance despite facing an opponent who had not lost any games this season. He described the match as very even overall, noting that both sides competed well and were highly organized, which naturally limited clear-cut chances for either side. While he felt the first half required the squad to believe more in their own abilities, the second half saw a significant improvement where the team finally showed its true quality by securing the winning goal. The manager emphasized that while the defensive structure remained solid throughout, the breakthrough came when the players stopped being non-committal and seized opportunities created during transitions and turnovers.
The victory was particularly impressive given the challenging circumstances of playing three games in a week with twenty players split between two different teams. The manager took pride in the attitude and application shown by the squad members who were not on the pitch, stating that their effort was top-notch even though they missed out on the matchday squad after Tuesday's win. He acknowledged that some players might feel disappointed about being left out, but he maintained that any of them could have contributed to the win, highlighting the depth and versatility of his new group. This successful week served as a reaffirmation of his coaching methods and the professional standards expected from the team, proving that they can deliver results even when not playing at their absolute best.
A significant moment of the game was George's first career goal for Bradford, which came from a well-executed combination play in the second half. The manager praised the way his wide players drew defenders out and created space behind them, allowing for a perfect ball into the box that George finished clinically. He noted that while they struggled to take that final step in the first half, the team's shape and movement improved dramatically in the second period, resulting in a superb moment where three players were ready to capitalize on the opportunity. The celebration with the away fans was described as euphoric and rare, providing a vital boost of energy and morale that is essential for the team's spirit and future success.
Looking ahead, the manager remains optimistic about the potential of this new squad following the recent transfer window closure. He believes there is more quality and belief to come as the players continue to adapt to each other's styles and improve individually and collectively. Although he felt a slight regret regarding Cam missing his chance on Tuesday due to tactical decisions, he assured that such opportunities will arise in the future. The team has already secured three difficult wins against high-quality opposition, including Mansfield and Leyton Orient, which sets a promising foundation for the season. With a happy changing room atmosphere and a strong willingness to win, the manager is confident that with continued hard work, the signs point toward an even better team in the months to come.
Read the full video transcript
Gaffer victory here at Notts County this
afternoon. How do you assess the game?
>> Uh very even game. I thought over the
over the the whole piece. Um
thought both teams uh
really competed well, organized, and
limited chances for both teams. So,
um second half we were much better.
Thought uh first half we we need to
believe in ourselves a little bit more
and um
the work we do um
every day on the training pitch is just
our ability, just our skill, just our
teammate.
Uh I don't think we um
we believe in ourselves as much as we
should to show our quality. I thought
uh start second half we did that, got
the goal. Fantastic goal. Um the work,
the uh the finish George.
And then um
thought we had other opportunity on the
on transition on turnovers which we we
should do better and and commit again. I
I thought we were a little bit
non-committal, but um
our defensive structure was really good.
Um very limited chances against, you
know, away from home against a good
team. They've started the season really
well. And um it's a fantastic 1-0 away
away victory for us.
>> How pleasing is that like I say when you
take everything into consideration?
Obviously Notts County haven't lost a
game this season. Away from home, early
kick-off, but players still dug in and
gave it everything, didn't they?
>> Well, look, I think I've just said to
the players there but how how proud I am
of the squad, you know, this week to um
to have three games in a week. Obviously
the the traveling during the week, 20
players, two different teams sort of
almost playing in those three games. And
the attitude and application of the
players who haven't been playing has
been absolutely top notch. I know there
was disappointed boys today, you know,
I'm I'm leaving them out of the match
day squad after Tuesday's win, but you
know, unfortunately that's what the
numbers say. Um and they all have a um
a right to to feel like they they could
have been part of it and they could have
I could have picked any any of those
that group today to help us win that
game.
Um so, I'm extremely proud of the group
today and this week I should say. But
it's been a a very positive week for us.
>> Talk about that environment and changing
quite a lot. When you have weeks like
this that just reaffirms everything you
think, how pleasing is that?
>> Well, you have to put it into action,
you know, I think it's it's all right.
Everyone everyone can talk a good game
and everyone can talk about what a good
person they are or what a good
professional they are. You have to prove
it and that the players have proved it
this week without a shadow of a doubt.
And I think for for a new group, you
know, the the transfer window's only
just closed. And it's the first sort of
full week we've had with them all and
you know, to get three wins out of three
and uh and use the all the outfield
players. You know, I just feel for Cam a
little bit. He didn't have his
opportunity on Tuesday, but that was
down to me. He'll get his. And um but
I've been so pleased cuz they've been
tough games, you know, and
you know, Mansfield, we know about their
their their quality against us, Notts
County and Leyton Orient away from home.
Um it's been three really really good uh
victories and and hard fought and uh
hard earned.
>> Being able to put performances like that
in and pick up the results with like you
say, new group must be really promising
for the future as well.
>> Yeah, I think so because I think there's
more to come. I I definitely think that.
I think there's more uh
belief in ourselves and more quality cuz
I see the quality every day and um
we've seen it in little spells. We
haven't seen it in um
in in good periods. I I believe and I
think when when that comes, I think
we'll be an even better team, but you
know, the the the the will to win from
the players, the the the effort they put
in for each other is is absolutely
second to none and um
yeah, I'm delighted for them because
they've they've worked exceptionally
hard all the way from preseason with the
new players coming in trying to pick up
what we do and how how we are. And um
yeah, it's a very happy changing room at
the moment.
>> And how big are games like this where
you might not be your very best, but you
still find a way to win the game with a
clean sheet as well?
>> Yeah, so I said last week that, you
know, you don't play well 46 games, but
you still have to be competitive. You
still have to pick up points and
and you but you have to give the
opposition credit as well. You know,
it's not just a one-way street where you
can work your patterns, you know, work
how you want to play the opposition
every week and we do the same to the
opposition.
Force errors, make make you playing a
different different way and then thought
that they were highly organized team and
they've got good players and obviously a
very good manager who who knows them
inside out. So, this was a real tough
challenge for us and um but uh
I thought overall, you know, getting in
front and then um keeping them at arm's
length, which we did, but from some of
the set pieces coming into our box,
which we defended really well. I thought
it was a really controlled professional
performance, but um yeah, we there's
going to be many more, but I know if we
can make the improvements individually
and and collectively as a squad, then um
you know, the signs are promising.
>> Took a real moment of quality as well
from George to get the game winning in
the end, didn't it?
>> It did, yeah. Yeah, but you know, I
think the the combination we had out
wide in there was was better. We're
drawing defenders out. We get We're
getting behind people. So, that that was
We didn't really take that
that final step to getting behind them
um in the first half, but in the second
half we did that great ball into the
box, ring the box really well. Our our
our
sort of uh
our shape behind the ball was was
absolutely superb at that moment when it
pops out. We've got three players there
ready to to take the opportunity and
it's uh
it's George that's put his foot through
it and and great finish and uh I think
it's his first career goal and
to score it for for Bradford, I think
he's uh he's had a really positive start
for us.
>> So, how special were those celebrations
when the goal went in with the away
fans?
>> Yeah, look, you well, you'll have to ask
George about that, you know, obviously
we're on the opposite side and within 5
seconds, which I know we're going to
have to do
now for the remainder of the game, but
for players and supporters, these are
the moments that we we work so hard for
cuz you you know, you don't get that
feeling that often. It's it's absolutely
euphoric. I think um you see the whole
team go there. The The numbers we
brought here today was fantastic and
then, you know, you for the the
remainder of the game, we work so hard
to get the scenes again at at the end of
the game and that's it's really
important for us cuz it's it's lifeblood
for us. It's um it's energy and uh but
you have to work exceptionally hard to
get it. So, I'm I'm delighted with the
players to have that opportunity.