Video summary
Following a tough but ultimately successful match that ended in a 1-0 victory at his hometown club, George Pratt expressed immense joy over scoring his first professional goal with family and friends in the crowd. He described the game as highly competitive, noting that while the initial period was difficult, his team dug in deep during the second half to improve their tempo and deny the opposition any real chances. The moment the ball arrived for his strike, Pratt admitted he initially joked about having a "folly" or mistake before deciding to take the shot, which fortunately found the back of the net, leading to an emotional celebration with fans and teammates alike.
The victory marked a significant turning point in a whirlwind few weeks for the squad, which had previously suffered some defeats before bouncing back with consecutive wins against Mansfield, Leyton Orient, and this home side. Pratt emphasized that maintaining a clean sheet was the most critical aspect of their success, believing that a solid defensive foundation allows the team to create chances and score freely. This approach proved particularly effective against an opponent who had remained undefeated in the league, showcasing the strong character and collective will within the group to secure three crucial points.
The manager highlighted the exceptional depth and competitiveness of the squad, evidenced by the frequent rotation of players across multiple fixtures including a recent cup win. By giving playing time to various members, the team ensures that everyone stays sharp and motivated, knowing they must perform consistently in both training and matches to maintain their place. The break from midweek games was welcomed as an opportunity for new signings to acclimate to the surroundings and build familiarity with the pitch, which is essential given the rapid pace of fixtures since Pratt's arrival.
Finally, the atmosphere at the stadium played a pivotal role in the team's performance, with a sold-out crowd providing a powerful "twelfth man" effect that lifted the players throughout the match. Pratt described seeing the packed stands as an unbelievable feeling that made him feel incredibly tall and supported, reinforcing the bond between the club and its supporters. As a reward for his goal and the team's effort, he humorously accepted another coffee bill from the manager, joking that he would be happy to continue winning 1-0 matches every week just to keep enjoying these moments with his teammates and fans.
Read the full video transcript
George, a 1-0 win this afternoon. You
must be buzzing with that.
>> Yeah, yeah, buzzing. It was a tough
game. Delighted to score my first
professional goal at my hometown club
with a few family members in the crowd.
So, yeah, it was nice.
>> A really competitive game as well. How
was it out there?
>> Yeah, it was tough. It was tough, but I
felt like the lads dug in especially in
the in the second half. We were much
better than the first.
We came out with a quicker tempo and I
felt like we didn't really give them any
chances at all.
>> You touched on it in your first answer
about the goal. Talk us through what's
going through your head when that ball's
traveling out to you.
>> I think well, before I was coming here,
I said to my missus, "Dad, Dad's going
to have a folly today." As a joke. As a
joke. And when it popped out, I just
thought, "Why not?" And then
>> [snorts]
>> luckily it went into the back of the
net.
>> You saw your your reaction running
towards the fans as well. That must have
been some feeling.
>> Yeah, yeah, of course it is. Especially
with the hometown. A few of my mates
were in the crowd as well. And family
members. So, as I'm running over, I'm
trying I'm trying to find them, but my
head was just all over to be honest.
>> You touched on it as well.
Bradford-born. You've had a bit of a
whirlwind of a couple weeks, but it
couldn't really have been a better start
for you.
>> No, yeah, it's been perfect. I think
obviously since I've since I've come in,
we had a a couple of defeats, which I
think that were tough to take, but then
we bounced back with a
a 1-0 the other day against Mansfield,
and then we go to Leyton Orient, we win
again, and then we come here, we win
again. It's been a really, really good
week for all the squad.
>> Obviously, you're delighted to score the
goal, but you better believe keeping the
ball out, another clean sheet as well.
As a defensive unit, you must be really
pleased with that.
>> Yeah, I think that's the most important
thing in the game as
as a back three, well, not even as a
back three, as a as a team. If we if we
keep a clean sheet, we know we'll score
goals and we know we'll create chances.
So, that's the main thing when we go out
there and today we've done it.
>> To keep a clean sheet and win against a
team who were undefeated in the league
as well. That must show the the real
character and and will in this group to
win this season.
>> Yeah, I think I think there's a loads of
characters in the group. Every
everybody's a big personality. There's a
there's a lot of us. As you can see from
midweek, I think there was 10 changes,
11 changes. Come here again, so the
squad's the squad's good, the squad's
big. It's a competitive and it pushes
everyone on.
>> On that, you've said that 10 changes
Saturday, 10 changes here, 10 changes
Tuesday. Does that show the real hunger
that's in the group and the depth that's
in this group and the competition for
places as well?
>> Yeah, the the squad's so good. It keeps
it keeps on your toes so much. The lads
on
the other day [clears throat] in in the
cup did really well, won won 3-1 and it
keeps the other lads who was left out
out the squad on your toes, you know,
you've got to perform in training and in
games.
>> You touched on sort of the the fixtures.
It's been and and the whirlwind that
it's been. This week offers a a new a
new first view of no midweek game. Is
that is that break welcome? Does it give
you lads who are new the chance to to
work on the training ground and maybe
get to get to know your surroundings a
little bit better?
>> Yeah, of course. Obviously, since I've
come in, I think I came came in and I
flew straight to Plymouth and games are
coming thick and fast, so
not much training really's being done
cuz we sort of been having a day off,
coming in and then preparing for the
game the next day and and traveling, so
yeah, it'll be nice to just to get on
the pitch and know my surroundings a bit
better.
>> A final note on the sport is when you're
walking out on an away ground, you can't
really ask for for much more than a
packed out away end and it must make you
feel 10 ft tall.
>> No, it's unbelievable when you when you
walk out and you see you see a full
crowd and you see on Instagram that it's
sold out and it and it keeps happening
regular at home and away that they're
with you and it it's it's that 12th man
that you've got on the pitch.
>> And just finally, another coffee's bill
for you the fist bumps as well. Is is
that a nice moment for you, Logan?
>> Yeah, of course. I think I'll say now I
don't mind doing coffee's every week if
we win 1-0, so yeah, I don't mind.