Goalscorer's thoughts after win at Millwall
Louis Dodds’ 17th minute strike inspired Town to a fine 1-0 win over Millwall at The Den on Saturday.Dodds’ goal was enough to give Town all three points but Town’s defensive unit also put in a sterling effort as they earnt their sixth clean sheet in nine games since Paul Hurst took over.
Since joining Town over the summer from Port Vale, Dodds has cemented a spot in the starting 11 and has been one of Town’s leading lights so far this campaign.
He spoke to the press after his match-winning performance:
“It’s amazing [to be the match-winner], we’ve had a tough week, and we’ve spoke about working harder on the pitch and I think you can see that- the lads were fighting for each other to the end and we got a great result.”
Dodds’ goal came from some nice interlinking play between himself and Ivan Toney before Dodds slotted it in the bottom corner to give him his fifth goal of the season.
“It was nice, I was just trying my best not to do a Fleetwood when it hit the post and span out, so I was delighted when it went in.
“I think it settled us a little bit and it gave us something to hold on to. It was a nice finish and hopefully I get a few more from now until Christmas.”
The win was Town’s first since the 2-0 victory over Oxford back in November, also meaning it was Town’s first win in four.
Dodds spoke of the importance of Saturday’s win:
“It’s massive, I think you could see game by game we’ve been making small progressions and slowly getting better.
“But as a team today we stood up, obviously we rode our luck a few times, but the harder we work the luckier we get.”
Town have now kept three clean sheets on the bounce, and six in the nine games since Hurst took over at the Greenhous Meadow.
“You can’t build a house without foundations, and that’s what we do, we build from the back.
“There’s still more to come from our attacking players, I think maybe on another day we can make the game look a bit comfier and easier at 1-0.”
This was Town’s fourth win in all competitions since the new manager came in and Dodds also commented on the upturn in results since his arrival.
“I think there’s a belief in us now, they’ve come in and told us what they want from us, and the lads have repaid them.
“I think training’s got sharper and we’re taking that into games, we’re getting fitter, and I think watch this space and we’ll start slowly creeping up that table.”
The win over Millwall means Town now draw level on points with the two sides immediately above them in the table.
“Yeah, we’re doing that boring cliché of just taking each game as it comes and seeing where that takes us.
“Next games on Tuesday at Fleetwood, we want to win that and hopefully get a bit of a snowball effect.”