 Brought to you by DIS keeping companies connected with cloud-based solutions. Come on, City. Let's start, Mark, with talking about your newest acquisition, your newest player, Andy Cook. Why have you decided to bring him in? Andy's got a lot of qualities. Again, being something different to the squad, you know, he's a target man. He can rough up defenders, but he's also got quality in front of goal, so we had the opportunity to bring Andy in and we thought it was a correct decision for the club. How will you look for the best user now you've got him? You know, at times we could play a two up there. Also, there's a lot of games coming up, so, you know, the qualities up front we've got and opportunities for kind of to play, you know, Clayton and Rowe players like that. So, you know, it gives us that opportunity to play different players against different opposition. Speaking to you after the Port Vail game and you spoke ahead of the window about how you wanted to diversify your options, particularly going forward. Do you think the activity that you've achieved this window with most recently Andy arriving at the football club now gives you a number of options? Like you say, it's up front as a possibility. Yeah, I think it's been a positive window. It gives us different strengths and different areas which we highlighted after the Port Vail game that we needed to bring different types into the building and we've managed to do that so far. So, yeah, we're happy what these players can bring to the squad. Why has he been on your radar for so long? We're led to believe you've been looking at him since December. Yeah, we know the strengths of Andy is, like I say, he's a threat to the back line. He can play in a two, he can play up there on his own. So, you know, he is somebody that we highlighted at the start of the window and we're glad that we've got him over the line. What does it mean for someone like Clayton? I mean, your name check's in there, but does he go down the pecking order now or is he still just as important as he was ahead of his window? Yeah, the matter of games we've got coming up, the squad is massively important. So, Clayton will play a part in his team and, you know, he offers something different to a Danny Roe to, you know, to a Romain. So, yeah, we're pleased that we've brought something different into the squad and that everyone will play the part. You know that we can be really greedy in these January windows. Do you want to be greedy at all? Can you afford yourself any more players to arrive at the football club or is that you've done now for the January window? Yeah, I don't think that it's done until the last day. I think if we can bring another type into the building that's going to strengthen us, then we'll be mindful of that and we'll look to strengthen if it's the right person coming into the building. When you speak of that type, is it that left wing area in particular that you're still keen to strengthen with? Yeah, we've got obviously Jordan who can play out wide. We've got players who are versatile in what positions they can play. So, you know, if there's a right person and got qualities that can bring something different to the team in wide areas, then, you know, again, if it's the right person with the right strengths and the right characteristics for this club, then we'll bring them into the club if we can. And when you talk about those characteristics as well, Mark, how key has the character referencing being when you've been looking to bring players to the football club? It's been quite clear that everyone that has arrived at the club has made it quite clear that they really wanted to come to Bradford City. Yeah, that's massive for us and, you know, we want people who want to play for Bradford City and, you know, if they've got that kind of mindset, then, you know, they're going to give everything for the shirt. So that's what we want. You know, obviously, with people like Lee in the building who can speak to players and build stronger relationships, then, you know, with the time that myself and Conor have got, it's sometimes difficult, but, you know, that's allowed us to have more kind of character checks on the players that are bringing into the building. In terms of outgoings, do you expect any players to leave Bradford City before the end of the window? And in particular Dylan Motley-Henry, I know it's someone that hasn't featured in your matchday squad since you've come under entry and charge. You know, if players aren't getting game-timed, and obviously they might be looking to move on, but, you know, if they're still here, if players are still here, then they will play a part in the squad. If that's pushing the players that road in there, we've already got, you know, in the 18, then that's the part they'll play. But, you know, like I said, there's always going to be people coming in and out in a January window. Can I get an update, if I may, on Lee Novak? You said that hopefully the results will be back yesterday. So do you have a clear picture now on the extent of his injury? Yeah, like I said, Lee went for a check yesterday. Unfortunately, he's going to be out for around four to six weeks with the injury picked up. So hopefully, you know, getting back in the lower time and getting back up to match fitness. But that's where we are with Lee. Naturally, that's a blow, given someone like Lee Novak and the qualities that he brings to your side. But is that eased somewhat now, given the acquisitions that you've been able to achieve this window? Yeah, I think so. You know, we've brought Jordan straight in at the start of the window. Then we've got, obviously, Rowe and we just brought Cookie into the building and we've already got Klitz. And, you know, we've got different options and different types of players that can cause opposition threats. So, yeah, it's a blow for us, but, you know, hopefully, you know, the other players can step in and do what Lee's been doing for us. In terms of the other outstanding injuries that you have right now, Harry Pritchard, is he any closer to returning? Could he be available for Saturday? We'll see. He's been back in. So, yeah, we're pleased that Harry's back on the training field and we'll see how he is tomorrow and go off from there. How's the progress going with the likes of Bryce and Reece as well, because I know they've been out on the training field for a little while. Yeah, it's been positive. I said it before, we've got to be mindful that we don't bring these players back too early and cause, you know, recurrence of an injury. So, you know, with the team, how it's looking at the minute, it allows us that little bit more time to be, to kind of get them back to 100% fitness and that's what we try to do. Are you able at all to give us a time scale on either those two players or is it a case of just waiting and seeing? Yeah, just waiting and seeing, but, you know, the young lads and obviously they're wanting to be back quicker than probably, you know, the medical staff won't, but we've got to be mindful, like I said, that they are 100% when they return. A couple days on now from the south end results. How do you reflect on the performance tonight by chance to look like I might? Yeah, we're pleased with, like I said after the game, how adaptable we were, how professional we were in the second half, especially. So, yeah, we kind of got the job done, showed that we could play a different style to how we did at Cambridge and be adaptable. So, yeah, we're obviously delighted that we've got the three points because it's a tough place to go. So, it's a long way, you know, we've had two long journeys, so, you know, it's about recovery now and making sure we're right for Saturday. The halftime break felt like quite a key moment in the game and speaking to Gareth Evans yesterday, he spoke of your halftime team talk. I think he gave it the adjective angrily in the way that you spoke to the players, but I just wanted to ask on that point, Mark, how important was that for you as you start in this role as Bradford City's interim manager that you've got a response like that from the players in that halfway point? Yeah, it's important, you know, that we set a game plan, a lot of work goes in, you know, on the trading field and analysis. So, you know, when players go away from the game plan, it's my job, it's Connor's job to remind them what they need to do to try and get results. And yeah, you know, they reacted really well and performed, you know, how we wanted them to perform. So, you know, it's a positive for us in terms of how the players, you know, finding out how players react and they're acted in the right way. And, you know, hopefully, you know, we don't have to, you know, we don't have to do that again. They get the job done earlier, but, you know, we're pleased that that second half they did play, you know, in the right manner, in the right mindset. To get the job done and, you know, we're pleased with that. I guess the message is from you and Connor now to back that up against Barrow on Saturday. Yeah, that's key, you know, we take it one game at a time, we always do that. I know it's cliche, but we've got to, you know, we're realistic in still the position we're in and the teams below us, you know, around us are still picking up points. So we've got to be mindful of that, but we've got to be confident going into this game. We're at home, so, you know, we're really sticking in what we want to achieve. But, you know, we're obviously mindful of every opposition we play in this league. What do you make of them as opponents? Again, you know, they're changing managers, so they're off of different threats. I know they've brought a few bodies in the window. So, yeah, we need to do our homework on them, but, you know, from watching them. I know there was a game called off the other day, but, you know, we watched a couple of games so far and they do offer a threat. So, yeah, it'd be a tough game for us, but we've prepared as much as we have been for every other game. And, yeah, how wary do you have to be of that window activity in particular, like yourselves? I think they've brought in seven players as of this morning. So, it must be a new challenge for you getting to know the new players that have arrived at the club. Yeah, yeah, you know, like with us, they'd be getting used to the players in the squad, what the managers want. So, you know, they'll obviously be bedded in, but, you know, some players will be more game ready than others. So, we've got to be mindful of that and try and, you know, create a game plan around the potential players that could start. So, yeah, we're mindful of that, but we're in the same situation, so they'll be thinking the same about us. So, yeah, we know it's going to be a tough game, so we've just got to make sure we're ready for that challenge. And just finally, Mark, with Richard's absence and now Lee's, of course, for the next four to six weeks, are you happy to see Porte O'Connor continue as your debut captain and how do you think he's fared in the role in the last two games? Yeah, he's done exactly what we expected from Porte. You know, he talks well, he leaves by example and he's great around on the training pitch, you know, he trains without intensity. And, you know, so he's got all the traits to be a captain and, you know, we want that to continue. You know, it affects his performance, if anything, it's improved his performance, so that's exactly what we wanted. Go well, Stephanie, Mark. Cheers. Thank you. You said that you're buying from the new players that have come in at Barrow and such, like, how difficult is it at the moment with games getting cold off, new players coming in to actually scout the opposition and find out how they're playing at the moment? You know, you can only go off the last couple of games, so it is difficult and obviously with new players coming into their squad, you know, you can only do so much, so if that is the case, then, you know, we will obviously concentrate on us and what we can do, but we've obviously got to be mindful of the opposition. And with that in mind, how far ahead do you look with the squad you've got, I think? Well, that player, particularly up front, will see that game more than say that game. Yeah, yeah, but it can quickly change your football, so, you know, you can't look too far ahead. You know, like I said before, I keep saying it's cliche, but you can only focus on the next game and see what your squad's like, and, you know, people pick up injuries and get fatigued because there's a lot of games coming up, so we can't look too far ahead, but I understand where you're coming from, where, you know, a certain striker could affect, you know, have more of an impact in a game than others. And do you look at the table at all at the moment? Obviously, it's a bit all over the place with teams like yourself with games at hand, Barrow have got games at hand, others have played clear football games, so you can't really sort out who's where. No, no, you know, we don't, we focus just on us and what we're doing at this moment in time. We don't look at the table and say we've got, you know, it's, every games, again, you're going to say, I'm cliche, but I must win game, and, you know, we will do everything in our power to get as many points as possible and hopefully pushes up the table. Yeah, thanks very much. Good luck Saturday. Thank you. As you were saying, Mark, you know, talking about the table there, I mean, obviously Barrow look like yourselves, look like Mansfield, there's some teams around there, all seem to be picking up at the moment in there, so there's no sort of, you can't sort of ease off and think, oh, we're, you know, we're well clear, look at us now. No, no, no, we haven't got that mindset as the players definitely got that mindset and others as a coaching team haven't got that mindset. So, you know, self-ends went on a good run and, you know, obviously had free losses, obviously, after our game, but they're a threat, you know, every team in this league will offer a threat and something different, so that, you know, that's probably why it's so exciting, but, you know, you just got to prepare as best as you can for the different threats of a team's offer. Do you think perhaps this season, probably more than ever, this league's a bit more unpredictable because obviously, you know, the COVID scenario and players being in and out, you know, it's, it's sort of a lot more, perhaps teams at the top and the teams at the bottom, there's probably a lot closer than before perhaps. Yeah, definitely. I think Mark Bonnell obviously brought it up in the Cambridge game, not knowing how we would be, you know, he kind of predicted that we would be fatigued by the end of the game and we actually, the other way around, we was a more fitter team, so, yeah, this obviously the current situation, everybody's in that, it does affect games, it does affect kind of performances when teams are having long breaks or if teams are playing a lot of games, you've got to take everything in your stride and just try and perform and be prepared as much as you can. And obviously, you say, you know, pretty well stopped up front now with strikers. I mean, obviously they've all come into play. I mean, Andy Cook, you know, he was on the bench a lot for Mansfield, so he's probably a bit frustrated that he couldn't play more. It's probably difficult, you can't guarantee everyone a game, but obviously they're all going to be out there now and you've got a lot of options to pick from, haven't you? Yeah, definitely. And I think it goes back to what I was saying to Jamie in terms of the characteristics of the players, you know, the players that we've brought in, a lot of them are match ready, which is important and also that they're the right characters and they're pushing the team on and they're training with intensity and that's key for me and for Conor that, you know, how to train, it's how to play and if the players that I've got the shirt, they've got to try and keep it. So, you know, we want it competitive and that's what we've got now with the bodies that we've brought in a January window. Obviously it's a balancing act, isn't it? I mean, players that they aren't playing are naturally not going to be happy, but you've got to keep them sort of involved with it and sort of on-site so they know that their chance is going to come. Yeah, yeah, me and I. You know, we've got to be mindful that there's so many games coming up and the squad, you know, the team is massively important. It's not just about that 11, that's kind of the continuity in the squad. It's about everyone else, you know, everyone plays a part. So the people training and pushing for a shirt, you know, that's all down to just kind of a bit of success that we've had at this moment in time is because of the squad and how they're pushing each other every day in training to make sure that they don't drop in form and if they do, that they know that there's potential players will come in and try and keep a shirt. And the last thing that I was going to ask you about, you mentioned Leo earlier, you know, the work he's done. I mean, that must be great when you've got someone who say you can focus on this recruitment while you've also got, you can also concentrate on that and the team itself. You've got a guy here who's basically job is just that one section. Yeah, yeah, obviously Ryan's brought Leo in and obviously brought myself and Connor in from the youth team. So, you know, that kind of team is built at this moment in time is being great because, like you said, it allows us more time in the training field but still having an input on the players that we're bringing and making sure that they are the right types of players in regards to how the player but also the right characteristics, like I mentioned. So, you know, having Lee is being important for myself and Connor's transition. Have you learned quite a bit in this month, you know, through working with Lee and seeing how he operates and how the window works? Yeah, yeah, yeah, obviously Lee's got a lot of experience both on and off the field. So, yeah, we've learned a lot from Lee and obviously learning within the role that we're in. So, it's like you say, it's been a positive kind of team structure at the minute in terms of the management side. So, it's best to ask one of that. Thank you. Hello, Mark, can you hear me? Yeah, I can hear you. Hello, mate, it's Lee, I'm from the Orchard Post. I just wonder, obviously, you're on a great run and expectations have risen. It's about coping with that really, isn't it? I mean, obviously, a lot of support as well. You know, be hopeful that you'll get another win on Saturday. Yeah, obviously, we're confident. Obviously, winning and obviously being unbeaten breeds confidence, but we obviously know that we can't let our standards drop. The game itself end was an example of that, that we've got to keep our standards high and we've got to respect the opposition that we play. So, yeah, we're confident and we want to be a team that people don't want to play in the league. We want to be a team that are hard to beat but also have a threat going forwards and we showed that in the last couple of games. Obviously, this side lost in the reverse fixture at Barrow. Will that come into the team talk and the planning ahead of it? Obviously, I don't think they've had a double on the seasons. That's the football league. No, I don't think so. It's a new management team that are in. It's kind of fresh ideas, etc. So, we don't work that way. It's all about us and how we perform and obviously looking at the opposition and seeing where we can potentially hurt them and what threats they offer us. I was just wondering, obviously next week, you've known midweek game and then after that, you go, you know, it's sort of Saturday Tuesday, Saturday Tuesday. It's going to be an important time next week, isn't it? It's a last little run before you just thrown into a lot of three game weeks, that sort of thing. Yeah, and obviously, you've got to be mindful that we've obviously had a three-week break in regards to no game. So, yeah, we've got to make sure we do the right things in terms of recovery, but also it gives us that little bit of time to work with the squad again. You know, over that kind of week that we've got no midweek game. Brought to you by DIS, keeping companies connected with cloud-based solutions. Come on, City!