Manager Nathan Jones said his team were ‘outstanding’ as they returned to winning ways with a superb 1-0 away win against Blackpool this afternoon.
Jones handed Luke Berry his first league start of the season and reaped the rewards after the midfielder scored the winner in the second half with a close-range poke from a corner.
The goal, was only half the story, as all 11 players put their bodies on the line to preserve the three points on a wet and windy day at Bloomfield Road.
Speaking to the local press after the game, the gaffer said: “Outstanding. The group put their body on the line and defended the cage superbly well. We came away from home with masses of adversity, we have four centre-halves out, people are playing out of position, Jordan Clark at right back, Bree at centre-half, Lockyer immense at centre-half and Bell defending.
“Pelly is coming back from injury and was wonderful, then Luke Berry gets a goal, it was a perfect away performance and a perfect away day.
“It is a difficult place to come and I think we had a lot of chances on the counter to extend it and made it far more comfortable but one-nil’s sometimes are the best ones, especially when you’re clinging on in six minutes of added time.
“You just see the character of people, they don’t wilt, they go with runners, what a wonderful performance. I’m super proud of the group but to fair this group has been doing that for a hell of a long time.”
Jones didn’t dwell on Dan Potts’ injury too much after the game, rather focusing on the fact his group were not deterred once again in the face of adversity.
“We lost pretty much every centre-half last year. It looked like he landed awkwardly on his back. Pottsy has been doing so well but this group rolls with the punches, and whatever you ask them to do they do. We don’t really play a back four but we were excellent playing a back four.”
Finally, on defender Tom Lockyer’s performance: “I think he wants to play in November, and listen if I was Rob Page, he is a friend of mine, we grew up together and he’s doing a wonderful job so you can’t tell him but I’m not sure there is four better Welsh defenders than Tom Lockyer. I really hope he goes (to the World Cup), because he has been outstanding for us, absolutely outstanding.”