Video summary
John McCracken expressed immense satisfaction following his team's victory in a penalty shootout, highlighting the significance of playing a full ninety minutes against a former Premier League side. He emphasized that this result has provided the squad with valuable confidence heading into their upcoming match on Saturday. McCracken noted the special nature of having such a passionate home crowd supporting them, a experience he described as unique and truly special for him personally. The atmosphere created by the fans chanting his name was particularly moving, reinforcing the strong bond between the players and the supporters who have traveled in large numbers to back the team.
The goalkeeper detailed the extensive preparation that goes into penalty shootouts, crediting the work of his coach Doyle who meticulously analyzes potential scenarios before the game begins. During the shootout itself, McCracken admitted a momentary worry about stepping off the line due to new rules but quickly reassured himself that his role is to support his teammates and make saves when necessary. He praised the entire team for their exceptional performance, noting that while they have kept several clean sheets recently, the credit belongs to everyone from the strikers working hard defensively to the defenders holding their line. The defense has been particularly solid, rarely conceding goals or giving away many chances throughout the matches.
Looking ahead to the next fixture against a team that nearly reached the playoffs last season, McCracken acknowledged the challenge but maintained that his team will not change their identity regardless of the opponent. He pointed out that while every game in League One is tough, his squad is built on consistent principles and execution that they intend to maintain. The support from fans traveling long distances for away games was described as incredible, with McCracken expressing deep appreciation for their backing which pushes the team forward. With fans expected to travel in large numbers again for the upcoming weekend, he feels confident that the team can do them proud and secure a proper result despite the difficulties posed by strong opposition.
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John must have some feeling after that
result.
>> I know it's been good.
That's a That's a big result, so it's
just pleasing that we've managed to to
play 90 minutes to what we told we had a
team that was in the Premier League last
year, so that's That's pleasing. A lot
of confidence to take from that
on to Saturday.
>> Before we look at the game itself, let's
talk about the ending the penalty
shootout. What Tell me through the
process and and sort of your work that
goes in behind the scenes.
>> I saw Doyle, the goalie coach here.
He'll sit us down and he does a lot of
the homework, to be fair to him. He
spends He spends quite a while giving
credit on that.
And so he put together what what he
thinks going to happen in the game and
then it's just a matter of
trusting what you've what you've done
and then seeing who's taking the penalty
and yeah, sticking to it.
>> When we saw the referee point towards
the carpet, sort of erupted and then you
walk over and your name's being chanted.
That must be some feeling.
>> I know it's special like to have a a
home crowd like that. I've never really
had that before to have a to have the
home fans with you like that, so that's
that's really special.
>> And the save itself there, they erupted
once more. What was that feeling in that
moment like for you?
>> You're just worried that you've not took
a step off your line, to be honest with
the new rules, you know. But no, that's
that's that's what we're there to do,
you know what I mean? Help the lads out
and and save penalties and hopefully
they can score them and but which they
did. I thought all the all the lads have
stepped up, but they're exceptional
tonight, so no, it's it's really
pleasing.
>> Just on the fans, do you feel already
embraced and and Bradfordian with them
chanting your name tonight as well?
>> No, I love it. No, they've been
brilliant, to be fair. I mean, obviously
it helps when winning games. The team's
doing well, so listen, it's
we've kept a few clean sheets, but it's
not just me. It's it's the whole team
that's done it, so
no, it's really pleasing and like I say,
have have the home fans with you and
have traveled away in numbers as well.
It's
No, it's been it's been a really good
start.
>> You touched on it before going
toe-to-toe with a Championship side in
pre-season. We sort of alternated the
level of opposition. How pleasing is it
we did it last season to not only go
toe-to-toe toe-to-toe but beat a
Championship side as well?
>> Uh no, like I say, it's I think we've
been really competitive in all the games
we've played
pre-season and and since the league
started, you know, so it's been a bit of
a a mixed bunch in terms of the levels
that we've played now and I think
the thing is we're we're not going to
change for anyone. We are what we are,
so I think that's we're going on the
pitch no matter who we're playing, but
we're sticking to what our principles
are and and what the manager wants and
and basically the lads are executing it
perfectly, so long may it continue.
>> Four clean sheets as well in a row, that
must be some feeling. What no better way
to really to to start your Bradford
career?
>> I mean, you couldn't have painted it any
better, could you? So it's No, it's been
it's been brilliant. But like I say,
it's it's not just me, it's all the lads
that are that are keeping the clean
sheet, you know, the strikers are are
working just as hard as the boys at the
back, so but
I'll take the credit if you want.
>> What's that relationship like between
you and and the defense in particular?
Defensive unit spoken about a lot and
the goalkeeper union obviously spoken
about a lot, but the relationship as a
whole, what's that like?
>> No, I just touched on it there. I think
I think we've got a really solid team
here and I don't I don't think we give
up many chances. We're not conceding
many goals, but really throughout the
game we don't we don't look like we're
going to concede goals. We I think we we
might go through a 5-minute period, but
very rarely have I have I had to make a
lot of saves in in a game, so it's
it's really pleasing. I think we want to
be that team that once we go a goal up,
teams start to sink because they know
we're hard to break down as it is, so I
think that's really pleasing that that
we're maintaining that and like I say,
we're not giving up many chances.
>> We've touched on tonight's opposition,
this weekend's opposition, a team who
nearly got into the playoffs themselves
last season. Every game is a tough one
in this league, but another chance for
us to continue our really good start.
>> I know and like I say, we we won't
change who we are for for anybody, so I
mean, they're they're a good team.
They've they've got a lot of continuity
as well and in terms of the manager and
and they'll be looking to progress on
from last year as well, just just like
us, so it'll be another tough game as as
every game in League One is, so it'll be
it'll be a challenge, but it's one that
that we can definitely stand up to and
and come away with the the proper
result.
>> We'll end on the support as they'll
travel in their numbers again this
weekend. How much do you appreciate
their backing, especially on trips that
are that are so far away like this
weekend?
>> It's incredible. They'll probably need
to leave tonight to get down there in
time for kickoff, so it's
it's a long way to go and I've got no
doubt they'll be there in their numbers
and helping us cuz it doesn't make such
a difference when you've got fans that
are that are pushing you on and and you
could see when once that penalty shout
went in tonight, in my opinion, it was
only going one way cuz you know the
backing you're going to get for the
fans. So, no, they'll travel in their
numbers and and hopefully we can do them
proud.