 Brought to you by DIS, keeping companies connected with cloud-based solutions. Come on, city! Conor, good to chat with you again. Can I start by getting any team news, if I may, and more precisely, is there an update on the extent of Lenovax injury? Just an update. It's going to look probably similar to how it looked against Cambridge, potentially with maybe a late inclusion. But we'll see what happens. Is there at all a time scale at this moment in time on how long you'll be out for? It was just Lee. Lee, yeah. Again, we've sort of looking at this week of he's going to get the final assessment, which will give us a really good indicator on the timeframe, but for us he's looking quite good at the minute, so we'll see what happens, yeah. Fundamentally, is he missing from tomorrow's squad? Yeah, at the minute, yeah, he is. Sort of late inclusion would be potentially we're looking for some really good news, but we shall see in short notice, really. Harry Pritchard, is it likely he'll be back fitting available for tomorrow's game or is it too soon? Yeah, Pritchard has been training light at the moment with the physical department, so we're just looking to ease him in with his specific injury, so he's not available for tomorrow. What is the specific injury with Harry? It's just something that he had before he came to the club, which is, like I said before, some players have ongoing problems, and it's that for him. Any other knocks or niggles to report from Saturday's game? No, no, clean, clean bill of health. What are your thoughts on Saturday's game more generally and how it turned out? I think there were a lot of positives. We felt in control for parts of the game, but also felt that they had moments and spells where they controlled the game. I think for us we just took confidence that we were playing the top of the league and we showed what we're about, and ideally just getting better and better every game, and hopefully people have seen that as well. If you were to look at the game, have you still got me? I think I've got you now. Yeah, I can hear you now. Yeah, sorry about that. Okay, that's all right mate. I'll do that one again. Just on the game more precisely, if you look at the context of the table going into it, you would say that at a point on the road away at the league leaders is a really good result where you are, but if you were to look at the game in isolation, particularly the chances that you had in the second half, most known to be Gareth, which I still don't know how it didn't cross the line, do you feel like you did enough to get all three points? Yeah, I think if the pitch isn't as bad in that area, we probably nicked the game one nil, so like you say, it was kind of like, why is that happening to us moment? Unbelievable how that's actually kept out, so I think no one would have been maybe too surprised if we would have actually won that game. So yeah, like I said, confidence and a good thing to see. I wanted to ask you about the style of play that you adopted at times in the game, Conor, and particularly from the back into the midfield area, it seemed like Paul D and Anthony and a lot of more of the deeper players seemed a lot more comfortable on the ball, a lot happier to play it around the back line and be more patient in their possession and style of play. Is that something that you've been working on specifically in the extended break? Yeah, obviously we had the time to work more on the training field and that was something that we felt would really improve this group of players, just regarding what system we're playing, where the three players are, how do we find the spare man, sort of like patterns of play to get us out, but ultimately we do all that to score goals and unfortunately we've not scored any goals, but I think some of the play and some of the bits were brilliant to work, brilliant to see and as coaches you start to see that transfer from training to games and I think it gives the players confidence as well. I think the next challenge would be for us to take that and hurt teams a little bit more, but also to keep mixing up our style of play to make sure that we are unpredictable and one of those teams that if you let us play we can, but also if you come out to pressers you've got to be careful because we might go straight into our top line and really hurt you and miss players out for them so we want to be unpredictable. How much of a balance is it when you're setting up the team for specific games? Naturally the defensive structure is clear to see, the record speaks for itself, but you've mentioned there about trying to capitalize on that good periods of play and be more clinical in the final third, so how big a balance is it for you, not trying to commit too many going forward to get the goals without trying to lose the defensive shape that you've shown so often recently? Yeah I think we still put bodies forward, more than enough bodies forward. I think our structure behind the ball has allowed us to regain possession, high up the field which has really helped and stopped any counter attacks. I think we look at the stats, we hardly get counted anymore because of the work and the communication and what we're asking of the guys and I just think the final bit would be for us to add more goals to the games, but that's something that we're continuously working on and I think defensively we've just got to keep showing that discipline, we've just got to capitalize a little bit more in the final third and improve our play because you look at the quality in the squad and these goals in the squad so we've just got to keep being hard to beat but also keep looking to affect them and create chances and get crosses into the box and win second balls and play from there as well so we've got to try and mix it up. I asked Mark a similar question after the game on Saturday but how enjoyable was it seeing Danny Rowe in a Bradford City shirt and what did you make of his performance on debut? No it was it was good to see Danny, obviously he's very exciting even for everybody that watching the game as soon as he got a sniff or half a yard it was bang you know so it's very really exciting and with Danny we're getting to know him even more and how we can adapt to get the best out of Danny in and out of possession so I think as time goes on we'll start to see them relationships build and for him to make even bigger impact. How will you look to best use him moving forward Conor particularly when you welcome Lee back into the frame when he's fitting available is it a case of one in one out or is there an appetite potentially to see them both on the field playing together? Yeah I think it's we potentially could play with both from up front and there's different formations that would allow that I think the rationale behind why we would do that would have to be clear what we're trying to get out of the game and also not taking too much away from the defensive side I think for us Danny is a 9 definitely a 9 I think if you take him into midfield you start taking away strengths and you start maybe coming away from his game and being high up the pitch where he can thread through balls he can have shots off both feet so I think it's something that gives us options to play different formations and also allows us to rotate when Lee is back and etc so yeah. Another player that made his city debut was Jordan Stevens it was good to see him come on in the last 20 minutes excited by what he offered just in that snapshot? Yes again Jordan you could see how quick he is you could see how hard he works how direct he is he's probably a little bit unhappy with his final delivery at times because you know when he does it in training it's bang on so we're not you know we know how much quality he has got. Is it likely that he may start tomorrow night? Well Jordan you know he's not done any harm to that so I think we have to monitor it and monitor the match loads of the other players but I think yeah Jordan will learn starting teams as well in the upcoming weeks. On that point more generally and I realise that it's only the second game and what will be a very hectic schedule that's on the horizon for you but how big a factor will squad rotation be and how much do you have to consider that even in the early stages of this schedule? Yeah like I said before it's going to be really important and just to reiterate to the players that you know there's going to be upcoming games where they're going to be needed and you know it's not one out to bring someone in and they let the team down they've got to come in and perform but you know we're working hard and they're working hard to make sure they're in the best shape possible and they understand the roles and responsibilities it's not just about not playing you've got to be looking at what you're the player in front of you's doing at the minute and what he's doing in and out of possession and how he's affecting the game and what your role is when you do play. How do you size up tomorrow's opposition south end? I know a recent record would say that there may be a little bit out of form once again but actually they've given themselves every opportunity now of staying in this league how wary do you have to be of them? Yeah we think it's going to be a really tough game you know we've watched them and analysed them quite a bit they've definitely got threats they're very unpredictable they like to press high they've got long throws you know they've all these stuff that we have to take into account going into the fixture so you know we're anticipating a tough game. What kind of game do you expect it to be then do you see yourself trying to dominate possession in that respect or will you give them some respect in their own right? I think the last two games we have dominated possession and we've had you know over 50 58 percent I think it is in both games or around that number and so you've got to see how the game pans out and we've also not had possession in some games and come away with a win and not as much possession should I say so it's just a balance and let's see how the game goes we'll be trying to dominate in every area you know if that's we dominate with the ball or without the ball controlling the game is key. We've spoken before about how you enjoy the title of underdogs and how that's played into your narrative of late but naturally they will be the underdogs in this game so how will you deal with being outwardly the favourites? I think yeah you know you could you could be the favourites but you can still have that underdog mentality where you're having something in your brain which is telling you you've got to do everything in your powers to to get the win and that's been you know said to the players from me and Mark which said you know this could be one of our toughest games because of the threats that they have and it's going to be a different challenge one that we've not faced so far and you know with the the strengths that they do have so I think we just again going to to to propose the game plan and make sure we perform well. How big a week could this be with Southend and then Barrow next could this be in in terms of your own objectives this season? Yeah it's you know the two games are crucial and where like any game confident that we're going to go in and go for the winning and we're hoping to do that and we're confident but you know sort of like winning and having good runs sometimes breeds all the confident parts but you know we've got to rein everybody in and know that everything that we do it's all about the next game you know irrelevant of what we've done before. Finally from me just on the on the January window Connor obviously still a bit of time remaining can you give us any updates at all on how you're progressing and whether or not there will be any players still to arrive at Valley Parade? Yeah I think you know hoping to get some more over the line and again if they're right for us and we're right for them we'll surely look to strengthen a bit like what Mark said the other night. Yeah just one player I did mention it to Mark on Saturday one player that has been noted is Conor Macalania at Oldham is that someone that you're genuinely monitoring and do you have an interest in? Again his name's on the list how high on there it is you know he's probably not a priority and main target and for some reasons you know he's a good player he's got he's got goals but also we're looking at the bigger picture and sort of doing the due diligence like we've said and making sure that is the right fit for Bradford City even though he's a good player. It is that forward wing area that still remains a priority for you if you're to recruit anyone? Yeah I think higher up the field we're looking to give us a little bit more a bit more and more. Cheers Connor that's great thanks a lot. Thank you. Obviously you've traveled down to Cambridge on Saturday now it's a trip to south end how much difference has the Covid restrictions made to how you deal with particularly the long way trips? Yeah it's just it's changed how you know which bus we do take down there and obviously the ones that face each other and stuff with the tables has not been allowed and players have got to wear masks and got to be socially distant when they're on the coach so it's definitely taking its toll as in it's a lot different to how it used to be but again everybody's buying and everybody's trying the best to make it a safe environment. Presumably you can't do the stops that you used to do to let them stretch their legs and things on the way down? Well obviously we've got services you know that that we can stop off at and just to get people you know walking around a little bit and obviously you've got people with masks going into services and making sure that and the protocols are in place and you know if they want to stop for a coffee they can do that especially when we've got you know four or five hour journeys ahead. Looking back at Saturday and then the previous going to that which was bought by helicopters that's two clean sheets for Sam you must be really pleased with how he's come in and just slotted in completely perfectly. Yes Sam's done really well when he's come in and I think that just hopefully gives him a little bit more confidence going into his future games but again I think credit to the back four and who get the main credit but you know it comes from the top it comes from the wingers pressing full backs it comes from the midfielders putting pressure on the ball and going man to man in the midfield so we see it all as as a collective effort and you know that's going forwards and defending the goal as well but yeah Sam's made a really good start hope it continues. Just away from Bradford City we've heard the news this morning that Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea. How frustrated is it for you as a young coach that particularly higher up young coaches seem to get so much criticism and not given the chance to develop themselves as coaches? I think when you go into to that environment you know the risks that it possesses and obviously you're dealing with world class elite footballers Frank Lampard was also one of them but ultimately when you go into those positions like any manager you're under pressure to perform and I'm sure you know Frank did his Frank Lampard did his best to make it happen but obviously there's more in you know there's things that we don't know about potentially and another factor which may have gone against him but you know everybody's different no matter what age you're at and what part of your career you've got to do a good job and you know unfortunately Frank Lampard lost his job. Okay thanks very much good luck tomorrow. Thank you. Hello. You were saying earlier about obviously the team needs to score perhaps score a few more goals is that you know I know it's been a great run and the performance has been very good is that one sort of slight frustration for you that perhaps you're not turning that those performance levels into goals and probably more points because of that? Yeah I think it highlights an area straight away which we need to improve and I think you know you look at the defensive record it's two considered in six games there and if we keep that up but add more goals we're in a really good place so our aim is to improve going forward but also to keep the solid structure behind the ball to make sure that we don't concede but I think we are creating chances we've got players in there who've got goals in them so we're hoping it does give us more goals going forward and you know I think with Danny Rose edition as well he gives you a different type of goal as well with a lot of long ranges you know and when he's around the box when you see him shooting from 35 yard if you imagine him shooting from 18 yards you know it's probably passed the keeper before he can dive so we're excited to be adding more goals to the game yeah. I think Gareth Evans was saying he was unfortunate enough to get in the way of one of them shots and he said he can certainly hit a ball gunner. Oh yeah yeah he's probably hurting that I think hit Lee Vine the first half as well. Gareth? Yeah are you there? Yeah sorry yeah yeah as you say you know you've got you've got a man with that sort of power on a shot. Yeah yeah like I say he's he's got some some shot on him and you know of both feet it's not like he's just one footed either and I think he's so good at your shifting left or right and then hitting straight away and we're just excited and hopefully some of the players around him will take confidence from you doing it as well. As you say you know the team are creating chances not like you're being tight but you're not creating anything is it you know it's it's working at both ends of the field it's just getting that reward now. Yeah and I think when you watch as you don't think we're you know we're just keeping loads of players behind the ball when we're attacking we're we're going for it you know we've got players four or five six around the edge of the box in the box and we're looking to pen teams in and you know just unfortunately the last couple of games we've not managed to score but that's something we're looking to improve. And speaking to Porty just before you and he was saying about you know you're going to get south inside they're desperate for the points but equally yourselves are trying to pull away but it's going to be one of those games where you know you can say the first goal could be very important there because certainly when a team at the bottom if they start well get the tails up but equally if you strike the first blow you know they might be thinking here we go again sort of thing. Yeah yeah that's football for you it's no different you know we're hoping to go down there and score early on hopefully that helps us as a team you know to get even more but I think the mentality of you know if we do concede or we do go one up that you know the next goal is even more important so we've just got to have that mindset where we're experienced as a team and we know what's going to happen you know if we score or we concede we know all that changes the game and what we can do to manage the game in both ways as well. Obviously you get a positive result it perhaps gets rid of that label of a relegation battle all that because at the moment people look at it and think 24 versus 20 I thought it's a big game at the bottom sort of thing so it'd be nice to sort of get that off the table wouldn't it? Yeah it'd be it'd be really good for everyone obviously we're a couple games behind and we're looking to capitalise on on those games and add some points that's for sure. Best of luck to more anyone. Thank you. Connor how has it been integrating so many new signings and hopefully more to come during the season because although you haven't had a game you've had lots to prepare for. Yeah no it's been good it's been good getting getting some new faces in you know everybody's different you know you've got some characters in there who were lively as well who were really good people so you know when they when they come into the training ground and the hungry and they want to get better and they want to get into the team it's been a joy really. I mean do you think for any team when you bring players in in January it just sort of lifts the mood to have different faces whether you're doing well or badly at the time? Yeah I think there's that initial excitement of something new and so seeing what that person's about straight away if you're a player you're looking at how good he is, how he's going to help the team, is he a good person to have around the place so you know it's been good to get the new lads in that's for sure yeah. Does it just feel a bit fresher generally? You know we were talking the other week about how you had clear mid weeks for the first time to actually spend a bit of training ground work with the players and obviously the postponements have sort of added to that. Does it almost feel like you know you've gone up a level since three weeks ago? I think yeah I think the more time that we have with the players we're looking for that development of the team and the individuals and so far we've probably said you know we're getting happier after each game as in what we're after is in the game model you know the players are starting to understand what we're after in against different teams against different formations and hopefully they can digest that and they can use it longer term if that's with us. Have you been able to be a bit more ambitious in what you ask of them as well? I'm just thinking at the start you know when you're playing Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday was it although you changed things was it a bit more limited in what you could do? I think it's been more building on the initial information and just layering layering the detail of what we've been working on so you know we give them some ideals and principles and the way that we play and we've just been trying to add add on to that really so it has given us time yeah it has given us more time to work. Yeah and in terms of the lads who have come in I mean you know you mentioned the excitement of them but obviously there's a lot of quality as well you've talked about Danny's qualities and Jordan's pace and what have you do you feel like you've got more dimensions as a squad? Yeah yeah I think we've definitely strengthened this window with the players that we've brought in so you know that that is exciting on its own the players who have come in have made us you know look at the team even more look at you know where we can bring subs on and how much of an impact we can we can make in games and I think we look a better squad at the minute hoping to make it better as well. Of course yeah have the five subs helped in that respect as well and the fact that you've maybe been able to see a little bit more of players and obviously been able to use players. Yeah obviously we've only used one in the last two games if I'm right so one each game so I think when you make changes it's got to be for the right reasons obviously the last game we made one with Jordan which you know it was for a certain reason and we knew that games were going to come up fast so we've got to make sure with the players in good conditions and if we need to use the five subs we'll definitely do that but we want to make sure that the level doesn't come down if we do make subs. And obviously we know the financial reality at the moment if more players do come in we'll more have to go out. Yeah if that's right if that's right for the club and we feel that maybe somebody's not going to get the game time that they want and or maybe we get somebody in that's potentially better long term and the play that's already in and they are options but until that happens we you know we we just look to get better with every signing. 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