Joe: We must cope without Sean
ACCRINGTON Stanley midfielder Joe Pritchard has urged his side to step up and be counted in order to cope with the loss of influential team-mate Sean McConville.
The Reds are without McConville for the rest of the season after he sustained a ruptured Achillies during the defeat to Rochdale earlier this month.
Pritchard recently dedicated a goal to McConville, and he hopes that the team can rally around and continue to perform despite his absence.
“Sean was in a good run of form and you want him to be in the team, so myself and all of the other lads now have to rise to the challenge,” Pritchard told the club’s official website.
“I’ve watched him this season and I’ve tried learning from him, and my goal last Tuesday was for Sean as I came in at the back post like he does.
“I like to learn off every other player and the majority of my game has come from watching Sean McConville. I learn a lot from Sam Finley and Mark Hughes, and I want to put all of their qualities into my game.
“I think I put a lot of pressure on myself and my opinion as a player is that if you have a good start to your career, then I think that you can reach a decent level for the rest of your career.
“I’ve never really played in wide positions before as I’ve always played in the centre of midfield. I’m learning the role, but I think it does suit the way I play and I’ve really enjoyed it this season.
“I had only scored one up until Christmas, and it was a good goal but I’d have rather had five or six smaller goals. The goal the other night has set off my 2020, and I feel like it’s set me up to have a good year.”
Pritchard joined Stanley last summer on a two-year deal after a previous brief spell for Bolton Wanderers, having begun his career by coming through the youth ranks at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.