Name: Jack Dorney
Age: 32
Trafford Appearances: 152
Trafford Goals: 22
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| Jack Dorney (centre) with supporters after Northwich away. |
1. This is the second time you've done 21 Questions With... a lot has changed since the first time, especially your role. How have you found the transition from player to player/coach?
I am enjoying it. If I am honest, it probably come around a bit sooner than I expected at my age, but DC gave me a great opportunity and I’m growing into the role more and more.
2. Personally I think there is a real connection with the fans and this current team/ management. Has there been a concerted effort from the management side or do you think it's just been a natural occurrence?
It's definitely more natural. We make sure the lads show their appreciation to the fans after each game, but they would do that any way. In terms of the management team, I think it's just a result of genuine people wanting the best for the club, we have the same feeling as the fans after a win or a loss and we’re open and honest when we chat with the fans, and they are too. We value the people who choose to come to Trafford in their own time. Then you have the members of the club that we can’t thank enough but we appreciate everything they do so we try and show that.
3. I heard DC give an interview recently and a word he used a few times was consistency - this league is tough but how frustrating is it knowing that just 2 or 3 wins on the bounce can put you in the top 4 or 5?
Consistency is the biggest thing in football. We’re not demanding miracles because if we’re honest, if we could perform at our best week in week out, we would all be playing football league but it making sure we hit our 7 out of 10s most weeks with an 8. 9 or 10 performances here and there and that’s what we want. If you look at the table everyone is the same at the moment and with hard work and the right application there is no reason we can’t string a run together and put ourselves in the mix, the ability is all there.
4. You've been involved at the club for a fair few years now, almost part of the furniture - but how would you describe the club to an incoming player?
It depends on who you’re speaking to! The pitch is a big thing for many, and it was for me when I first joined but the older I have got the more you appreciate the club and those in and around it. That’s a huge thing when you get to a certain age but to the younger lads the pitch and the environment the management and the club creates should make it easy for any player to come here and perform to their best.
5. And how has the club evolved since when you first arrived?
Other than the addition of the steps behind the net (great addition!!) there’s been a few little bits that have changed but the club being has always had good standards and a very honest way of working and sticking to those traditions is what makes Trafford so good.
6. Obviously as a coach you get to input the game in a different way these days - what's your greatest bit of advice you can give to an up-and-coming player at Trafford?
Good question. Its always about work rate and applying yourself. Ability can and will take you places but only temporarily. What your habits are, your attitude and the way you apply yourself will determine how long you get to stay there. Opportunities can come at any time so make sure you're the best version of yourself when they do.
7. DC seems to have very high standards and expectations, and rightly so, but what is he like to work alongside?
It's easy to work alongside him – he’s got great values as a person and always has a good perspective. We are aligned in our standards and desires for what we want to achieve and him and Gibbo are always approachable and open which is a big thing in football but also outside of football.
8. Going back to consistency, one thing is that we always seem to be competitive in games no matter what; results are rarely one-sided. What do you think the key is to turning around those games where we just fall short?
The frustrating thing is the key to turning the bad results in to good ones is our own decision making and application. We’re yet to face a team that have outplayed us or are ‘better’ than us but we have lost more than we should have. That’s only down to our own performances on the day. Consistency is the big word again and we understand players will have off days but there are ‘non-negotiables’ such as work rate, application, desire. These are all things that you choose to turn up with or not and if you do – you give yourself a better chance of winning on the day but it’s a collective effort not individual.
9. The last two victories have seen us score last minute winners. There can't be more better feelings in football?
There is nothing better in football you’re absolutely right, but it's not good for the heart is it?!
10. Saying that, as a coach watching on, it must be nerve wracking at times. How do you you cope?
It's frustrating more than nerve wrecking – we’ve also conceded a couple of last-minute goals in games we should be taking all 3 points from and haven’t, but these are learning curves and you’d like to think we’re better for it!
11. The game against Witton saw Burkey score twice, he acknowledged that his first was down to your advice. It must be satisfying when you see something pay off like that?
It was my first assist of the season! He deserved it, Burkey - he always grafts and he loves being here. A week before he missed what can look like an easy chance but when you have that much time they’re never as easy as they look and I’ve been there and missed them chances and scored my next ones like he did. I’m glad he took onboard the advice but credit to Burkey for making good decisions in a big moment in the game.
12. Before the game versus Witton there was a minutes applause for the legend that is Dave Brown, a huge figure in Trafford's history. It felt like that result was for him?
DC gave probably one of the best and biggest speeches before the game I can remember which included Browny. Some lads knew what a wonderful man he was and how much he has done for the club and the ones that weren’t too familiar certainly knew it after that talk. The win was 100% for him and his family there on the day and we want to try and achieve something for them and the club this season.
13. Going forward, reaching the playoffs must still be a realistic shout. How big an achievement would that be for this team?
In terms of budget vs other clubs budget it would be absolutely massive. In terms of comparing squads and management teams across the league its what we can expect. Playoffs can always be an easy throw away comment, every team wants this I am sure and it’s a big ask but we believe we can beat any team if we perform like we can so why shouldn’t we demand that from each other.
14. Injuries have clearly impacted us so far this season - again as a coach that must be frustrating?
Its frustrating for us but always presents opportunities. We’d love to have a fully fit squad but then you see other positives like Jack Sloan who was filling in at centre back and he’s been fantastic in there. As a management team we always try and look at the positives and we have been unfortunate with some key injuries but that happens to most teams throughout the season.
15. The support from the fans was acknowledged by yourself and DC recently after the game versus Northwich. There can't have been many away games where the support has been better?
We always try to show our appreciation but Northwich the support was outstanding – probably the loudest I think I’ve heard us away (which I think Northwich even said too!) and our performance didn’t match it so we wanted to show our appreciation and the lads put that right the following game.
16. Some quick fire questions now: best/favourite away ground at our level?
Favourite ground is probably Mossley. It has all the character and expectation of a non-league ground but best is to play on is Runcorn for me.
17. Who is the most skillfull player at the club?
I’d have to go with Saj.. great feet and moves his body very well
18. And the toughest to beat 1v1?
I am not sure the last time I ran at somebody 1 v 1… I’d go with Sloany
19. Best moment in football?
If I had to choose one… Probably scoring the clincher in a play off final for Chorley
20. Best player in world football?
Best is Messi isn’t it. Best in England is King Kev at City
21.
I’m going to go with Coops
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