Video summary
The manager expressed immense delight following Luton Town's victory, highlighting a clean sheet and an exceptional defensive performance in the final third as key factors for the three points secured. He praised Bobby's unbelievable header which proved to be the decisive moment, while acknowledging that the opposing team managed to create some pressure through their pressing style and set-piece opportunities. Despite conceding a few chances in the middle of the match due to occasional lapses in maintaining press intensity, the manager felt that the team controlled the game effectively in the second half by playing more as a cohesive unit with reduced spaces between players.
A significant portion of the post-match analysis focused on the squad's remarkable brotherhood and collective spirit, which the manager described as solid and essential to their success. He noted that while there were moments where penalties could have been awarded, particularly involving Nick and Callum Connley, the team's ability to control the opponent's chances resulted in a very low expected goals against figure. The manager emphasized that winning away from home against a high-quality side like Luton was an amazing effort for everyone involved, crediting the players' commitment, their willingness to put their bodies on the line, and the incredible support from the fans who create an electric atmosphere that fuels the team's energy.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture on Tuesday, the manager stressed the importance of maintaining mental momentum even if a short physical break is taken after the current match. He pointed out specific examples of players like Kaden working tirelessly in defensive positions and backing up the front line, illustrating the high work ethic required to compete at the highest level without getting tired. The coach confirmed that while some players might need a brief rest, the entire group and staff are dedicated to ensuring the team stays sharp mentally and physically, training with proper intensity to balance recovery with readiness for the next big game.
Ultimately, the manager concluded by expressing confidence in his squad's ability to handle heavy loads and maintain their standards without needing to be asked to work harder during sessions. He believes that letting teammates down is not an option for this group, as they naturally look out for one another both on and off the pitch. The victory serves as a testament to their unity and skill, setting a positive tone for future matches where every squad member will have the opportunity to demonstrate their quality and contribute to the team's continued success in the league.
Read the full video transcript
Gaffer pitch here at Luton this
afternoon. How'd you set the game? Uh
delight with the the the three points,
the clean sheet, great start for us.
Unbelievable header from from Bobby. Um
uh and after that we um they're good
team. They cut through us a few times in
in the middle. we couldn't really get to
grips um with the press at times and uh
[clears throat] and they got into good
areas without having you know uh
clear-cut chances at our goal. So I
thought the the defending in the final
third was was excellent. Um but I can
understand it from our players point of
view you know cuz like how that how they
play. Um second half I thought we were a
little bit more in control and closer
together as a as a unit and less spaces
in between. thought the there was two
big dangers in the second half was set
pieces. You know, they had I don't know
how many corners, but it seemed like
they had one every two minutes and um
and counterattacks off us giving the
ball away in in in good areas and and
not probably taking as much care as we
needed to at those moments, but there
was other moments where we should get I
think we should have one or two
penalties today in the second half. Um
[clears throat]
definitely one on Nick at the end. Um I
think Callum Connley on the edge. I
don't know if it's in or not, but how
how the you know the wording about how
it's not not a foul is is frightening
really. Um apart from those, I thought
the we control their opportunities. I
think the xG against is really low. Um
we didn't um create many more after
that, but we didn't have to with the one
nil lead. Um so the the players the size
of the players heart is absolutely
immense and their connection their
togetherness their brotherhood is is um
it's it's really solid.
>> Just how special is that that
brotherhood like you say when you pitch
watching it on on the field. Yeah, it's
um I still think we can be better and
you know and just apologize to the
players there for actually saying it
after the game after a brilliant victory
about look I think I want us to be the
the ultimate team and and and take
advantage of the the good moments and
and the skill that we have within our
within our team. Um but for like just a
will to win and a and a and an energy
and a desire, you know, we we've picked
up a couple of couple of injuries there
and players come on, hit the ground
running, do the right things at the
right time. So, um it's all we try to
do. We try to get a group of guys who
are without doubt good footballers and
just bring them together so they just
won't let their teammate down and and
that's what we've got running throughout
the whole squad and we're going to
hopefully see that again on Tuesday when
when the the other guys get their
opportunity to to show that sort of
endeavor and um and quality but uh look
to you see the the away wins we've
picked up in you know this season alone
it's a amazing effort from everybody.
>> We saw the lads really dig in today. Is
it almost a a complete perfect away
performance?
>> Well, look, I'm being greedy. I think we
could have took advantage of some other
moments, but we have to give them credit
as well. I think, you know, they had
some um good positions which they didn't
take advantage of, and I think our our
final third defending was was excellent
and really good on that. You know, some
of the covering for each other, the the
commitment in the in the challenge, in
the press, and um to fair, John dealt
with everything around his goal superbly
well. You know, they put a lot of
pressure on from the corners. you know,
they they there must be 12 14 bodies in
in that sixy old box and they put it
right under here. But I thought the
defenders and everyone actually that was
defending that moment kept um uh kept
next to their their opponent, but John
dealt with Effing superbly well and um
delighted delighted cuz very hard place
to come. We know the quality that Luton
have and we saw that last season. So to
get another one in victory, I'm so
pleased. You said in the week how tough
this is as a players to come to play
football, but get the early goal like we
did. John's getting almost everything on
every corner to show how both ends of
the box is important.
>> Yeah, look, I think, you know, games
decided at both ends of the pitch and uh
we've done that today, but um the goal
is great quality. We wanted to sort of
get in behind them in those wide areas,
you know, with Kaden and Bobby, you
know, linking with the two wing backs,
Josh and and uh we got a really good
target in there and Jake Bezy and the
opposite 10 coming in and starts running
from midfield. So, I think we can um
create problems for the the opponent,
but um I've just watched the the header
back and it's an unbelievable header
from Bobby. Um I'm delighted for him
because he's he's probably not hit the
heights like as his goal output this
season as well what he has. But when I
watched the game back last week at Knox
County, his work ethic and his his um in
possession stuff looking after the ball
positionally he's absolutely top notch.
So I'm um I'm delighted for him to get
to get the winner today.
>> Now to win away from home as well to the
run we've had this seen already some
very tough games. Must be really pleased
with the results we're picking up. Yeah,
look, ultimately that's that's number
one priority is winning games and uh
we've done that pretty well so far this
season. I think the you see the backing,
you see it again, the scenes, they're
amazing, you know, with theirs on the
backing neck stand up when you see the
players fist pumping the the songs. It's
amazing that and obviously it is 100% an
energy given for our team, our players,
they love that that that sort of moment
and they put their bodies on the line,
they get in front of tackle, in in front
of shots. Listen, it's for the three
points. Obviously, it's to win games,
but that's an added bonus with the the
connection we have with the with the
support and uh so it's but it's going to
be like that on Tuesday. It's going to
be like that whenever we play in the
league next week, maybe or sorry, the
week after. Um but I think a couple of
players deserve a little break now. Um
and we'll give them the sort of the the
the time they need and when we come back
in for the league game, but we got a
game on Tuesday and it's a big game for
us. I want us to keep that momentum. I
want every squad player to show his um
you know player in the squad sorry to
show his quality and Tuesday is the next
opportunity to do that.
>> See Tuesday ends a real grueling opening
period to the season for us. How
beneficial will that break be with the
whole game?
>> Yeah but I think it's like from a
physical perspective it is but I think
mentally we got to stay on it. You know
Kaden was out on his feet or saying he
was out on his feet with 10 minutes ago
I was going we cannot afford to be
tired. We got 10 minutes to get three
points. You've got to go over yard and I
see him and he's striving. he's backing
up the the front line because he's gone
into the wing back position. He's trying
to stop crosses. He's he's he's getting
in at the back post to to clear crosses
from the opposite side. So that's the
sort of work ethic we need. So I want us
to have a physical little breather after
Tuesday. Nothing before we have to go
into that game all guns blazing, ready
to to to compete at the highest level.
But mentally we got to stay on it with
each other. And I think we got a group
of players and and the group of staff
that will make sure that'll be the case.
>> That's it. When you look at this group
of players in this staff, that's just
not going to be able to happen, is it?
>> No, I don't think I think we'll be
letting ourselves down and we'll be
letting the guy next to us down if we
even come off it a little bit. So, we
know how to look after players in
between games, in between heavy loads.
Um, but when we train, we train properly
and we train with intensity. So, we we
know to how to get the balance right.
And to be fair, I've never had to sort
of step into a session and ask the
players to work harder. It's just not
the case at Bradford.