Video summary
Jackson and his teammates secured a vital victory in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup against Leyton Orient, a win that highlighted the squad's adaptability following significant changes during the preseason. The team successfully integrated new players who had not previously played in this specific system or competition, demonstrating exceptional togetherness within the changing room. This unity was evident as ten different players featured in the lineup, with everyone understanding their roles and contributing effectively to the performance. Despite some initial rustiness due to the new combinations, the collective effort ensured they progressed to the next round, proving that the entire squad is prepared whenever called upon by the manager.
The match also showcased the depth and versatility of the Bradford City roster, as players were willing to step into different positions to support the team's objectives. Jackson himself played a crucial role at full-back, providing energy in both defensive and attacking phases while delivering an assist for the second goal. His ability to adapt to various roles underscores the club's philosophy that every member is essential to the squad's success. Furthermore, the return of key players like Humps, who worked hard to regain their fitness despite personal challenges, added significant quality to the attack and demonstrated the team's resilience and dedication to competing in multiple competitions simultaneously.
Beyond the tactical aspects, the victory held special emotional weight for Jackson, who captained the side for the first time in a competitive game while playing at his boyhood club. The support from over 500 fans traveling to London on a Tuesday night was deeply appreciated, especially given the difficult travel conditions involving road closures and train cancellations. Jackson emphasized that seeing the fans return home happy is always a rewarding experience, reinforcing the strong bond between the players and their supporters regardless of where they play. This connection extends beyond just winning matches, as the team strives to provide a positive experience for every fan who makes the journey to support Bradford City.
Looking ahead, the squad remains focused on maintaining momentum with another match scheduled for Saturday, requiring careful recovery and management of player fitness. Jackson expressed gratitude for having a strong, healthy roster with many options available to ensure readiness for immediate back-to-back games. The competition within the team fosters an environment where players push each other to improve, ensuring that everyone is sharp and prepared for any challenge. Whether facing tough opponents like Anfield or any other draw in the fourth round, the team's confidence is high, knowing they have the depth and determination to succeed in whatever fixture comes next.
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Kaden into the fourth round of the
Carabal Cup. How do you say tonight's
game?
>> Yeah, I think ultimately we wanted to
come down here and give a good account
of ourselves. We've made a lot of
changes, a lot of lads that have come in
that have not played the system before,
not played the competition before. So,
yeah, I think you know, everyone give a
good count of the um and ultimately
wanted to get through to the next round
and we've we've done that. How much does
that say about the togetherness in the
change room that we could make 10 chains
and everyone knew what everyone was
tonight?
>> Yeah, I think it shows that lads are
ready. Um, you know, disappointing not
to to play on Saturday for for a lot of
us, but you know, we're ready to to play
whenever the gaffer calls upon us. And,
um, I think if you want to be successful
in multiple competitions, um, you know,
if you want to cup run, hopefully get,
you know, nice draws, then everyone has
to be ready. All the squad has to be
ready. and and we've known that from,
you know, from the beginning of
preseason to be fair. Um, you know,
that's why, you know, we put the work in
that we did um as a squad, not just as
an 11. Um, and yeah, we've got the
options in the squad to to bring lads on
or to start lads when needed.
>> Graeme always says that it's a squad
game. We'll need everyone, but I guess
that just proves why everyone is
important to the squad.
>> Yeah, definitely. Um, like I said,
everyone was chomping at the bit. Um,
you know, not knowing how many changes
were going to be made, you know,
everyone has to be ready and everyone's
on their toes. Um you know so when the
when they are thrown in when they are
called upon um you know we can go out
and put a performance in like that. Um
you know yeah it was rusty at times um a
new [clears throat] team new set of lads
playing together for the first time I
thought you know apart from that we were
we were pretty comfortable.
>> Different position for yourself tonight.
How did you find at full back?
>> Yeah it's it's another position. Um, you
know, I've played it obviously played it
in the Bernie game and again tonight and
you know, I'm just happy to be out there
helping the team. Um, whether that's
running back, running forward, um,
running a lot. Yeah, it's um, no, it's
just I'm just I'm just happy to be
playing um, you know, 90 minutes under
my belt and yeah, a win next round.
>> Contributing as well. Very nice assist
for the second goal from yourself.
>> Yeah. Um, you know, we we've got a lot
of quality at the top end. um you know
try and put myself in that category as
well when I'm playing up there. But um
yeah, it's nice to to see Humps coming.
Um you know, he's worked hard getting
his fitness back. Um obviously, you
know, different preseason for him having
having a little one and stuff like that.
So, you know, it can cause a bit of
disruption at times, but to be fair to
him, credit to him. He's he's worked his
uh worked his socks off to to get back
in the team and take his chance when
when it come.
>> On a personal note, how special is it to
catch on the side this evening? Yeah,
it's it's another another added bonus to
be fair. Um, you know,
I'll probably reflect on that, you know,
when when the time's right and yeah,
it's, you know, it's nice, but
ultimately we had we had a job to do. I
had a job to do whether I was, you know,
starting on the bench, captain, not
captain. Um, and I think we all, you
know, as a team, as an 11, as a squad,
we all um, you know, acquitted ourselves
well and, yeah, got got through to the
next round. Does it make it extra
special being your boyhood club as well?
>> Yeah, of course. Um, yeah, definitely. I
mean, I've never I think that's the
first time in a competitive game that
I've I've wore the armband. Um, so yeah,
it's it's nice. Um, hopefully I can do
it a few more times and yeah,
potentially do it at Wembley
>> to do it in front of over 500 supporters
this year as well. That must be really
pleasing to see the support we get from
the fans.
>> Yeah, I mean, you know, it's everyone
knows it's it's Bradford City. you know,
we're going to get that wherever we
travel, whenever we travel. Um, and as
always, it's credit to them, you know,
on a on a Tuesday night in London. Um,
you know, I don't know what the travel
situation is for them. Um, but it's not
it's not the easiest one when you've
got, you know, road closures, train
cancellations, um, the prices of
everything. It's, yeah, it's again, it's
always special to see numbers traveling.
Um, and I'm glad that we can, you know,
send them home happy tonight. Um, you
know, it's disappointing when we, you
know, they make journeys like they did
at Plymouth and stuff like that and we
lose. But yeah, it's it's always nice to
to give them uh the winning feeling on
the way back home.
>> Not much time to rest game on Saturday.
How important is it to have good
recovery and get ready for another game
straight away?
>> Yeah, I think, you know, I think we're
blessed. We've got, you know, a strong
fit squad. Um, a lot of a lot of players
to choose from. And, you know, like the
lads that played tonight showed,
everyone's everyone's ready. everyone's
wanting to play. Um, and I think the
competition helps you within the squad.
Um, as long as it's healthy competition,
um, you know, we're all pushing each
other and yeah, we'll be we'll be ready
come Saturday.
>> Finally, a little break now until the
draw. Who do you want in the fourth
round?
>> I think you know that, uh, Anfield away.
It'd be special for me. Um, but listen,
we'll as a squad, we'll be ready for
anyone.