Manager Neil Harris and goalkeeper Jordan Archer have given their thoughts following the weekend’s scoreless draw with Bradford City at The Den.
Video – Bradford Highlights
Audio – Harris On Good Bradford Point
Beginning with manager Harris in his after game press conference he told the official site that he’d been delighted with the defensive solidarity on display and for him it was a very good, but hard fought, home point.
‘I’m delighted with the clean sheet. The effort, determination and defending was fantastic at times, but we maybe just lacked a little bit of quality all over the park really. We put a lot of balls into their backline, in and around their box, and I think Steve Morison put in a terrific performance as a target man today. He used his body well, used his experience well and won a lot of flick-ons and nod-downs. I just felt that as a team we were not proactive onto the next ball and were a little bit reactive. That was maybe a sign that it was just a game too far for some bodies out there. But on the whole I’m delighted with the point and with how far we have come since October 3rd at Peterborough.’
With Tony Craig going off injured ten or so minutes into the second half, at the point there wash no update – there is now I’ll cover it in a minute – but the gaffer was hoping for the best.
‘It’s too early to tell. He has got a sore knee and a sore ankle so has some pain all down there. We don’t know how he is going to settle down. It was a great tackle so we have our fingers crossed. He has been an outstanding captain and has played really well this season.’
The gaffer ended his after match with praise for the fans.
‘The atmosphere within The Den in the second-half was fantastic and it reminded me of days when I played. I said to the boys that is what we’ve got to recreate every home game from now on.’
As for Archer, he was obviously delighted to have kept the seventh clean sheet so far this campaign and he was quick to praise those in front of him for their hard work on the day.
‘The boys did well to get another one. When there’s a clean sheet, it is usually the goalkeeper who gets all the credit, but I don’t think Bradford had even one effort on target – and that’s down to the boys at the back. There was bad communication in the first-half. They gave me a bit and I gave them a bit back. If I can see any player who is not concentrating I give them a verbal kick up the backside to get them going. Giving them out is something I have tried to improve on. And I hope people give the same to me. All this is not a negative. It shows everyone is committed to the cause and helps the team.’
The 22 year old was also quick to praise fellow stopper David Forde, admitting that he’d been a huge help to him since his arrival at the club.
‘Fordey has been first class. Giving me advice before the game and at half-time. If he sees stuff that I can improve on then he is the first to tell me.’
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Harris & Archer Talk Bradford
