James: We won our battles
TranscriptDaniel James was understandably pleased, after tucking home his first league goal of the season...
Dan what was that like to play in, because it was an incredible game to watch? “Yeah, it was unbelievable. We knew from the first minute they were going to be at it so we had to run harder and we did that. You’ve seen the goals we’ve scored, we went up quite early, 4-0, just before half-time, and we had to keep our heads and keep on it. Obviously they scored before half-time and that gave them a little lift but we had to come out second half and keep doing what we were doing.” We all know we’ve been going behind early on, especially away from home, so to go 2-0 up after three minutes makes a lovely change, doesn’t it? “It’s always nice to score the first goal but from then we’ve got to go on and keep doing what we’ve been doing in training all week. We got that comfortable lead at half-time – we conceded but still had that comfortable lead. That second half was about doing exactly the same. We knew it was going to be a tough game and we did very well today.” Did you have a specific role today, particularly against a Leeds side that commit loads of players forward. Counter-attacks are important in games like this… “I think we all know it was going to be about one v ones all over the pitch. It was just about winning them and I think we definitely did that today.” Have you ever faced a team that doesn’t change the way they play? Even at 4-0 they played exactly the same way and at 6-1… “I don’t think there’s many teams like them, but for them it’s great spirit to try and get back. We were just the better team today.” The competition for places now is immense isn’t it? “It’s always going to be, here, and I think that’s great for all of us. I don’t think any of us want to be thinking we’re going to be in the team week in, week out. We want to play that competition and it’s good we can all play in each position as well.” Just a word on Scott – he got a couple of goals and was just driving through the midfield… “I think it was beautiful for Scott, the man to man. Any bounce pass from the striker and he was going to be through. He got the two goals today and probably wanted to take the pen, but in those situations you’ve got to be professional and the penalty taker is Bruno.” You hitting the net at the Stretford End… it’s a shame no-one was in it on a night like this, isn’t it? “It’s always nice scoring at that end. Yeah obviously there’s no cheer, but I know they’re cheering back home.” You’re third now. It’s still early days but if you keep winning things can happen can’t they? “Yeah obviously it’s great. We can’t get carried away. There’s so many games before the new year. We’ve got to keep fighting and think about every game. There’s the Carabao Cup [v Everton] on Wednesday now so it’s straight to that one.”