INTERVIEW - James Pritchett

Words: Jose Figueira

Thursday 28 October 2010

James Pritchett is a key figure at the Navy Blues having been with the club since its inception in 2004.

Jose Figueira takes time out to speak with "Pritch" and get his insights about the game, the Navy Blues and this season's ASB Premiership campaign.

1. First of all James congratulations on the winning start at the weekend, how did it feel getting back into action and how did you think the team went in its first ASB Premiership game? It felt great to be starting a new season with Auckland City, the boys have worked extremely hard in pre season. To go away from home and get three points in the 1st game was what we wanted. The opening day is always tough. We played some good stuff at times and controlled the game for long spells. It was a good hit out against a very organised team, we have a lot of positives to take away from the game and some negatives that we need to tidy up. 2. Last weekend’s game represented not only the teams first in the new look ASB Premiership, but for you as Auckland City FC's new captain, how did it feel leading the team out? Leading the Team out was quite emotional really. To captain the team I love and have played for ever since the NZFC’s inaugural season, is a huge honour for me. I just hope I can do the armband and the club proud. 3. David Mulligan was one of a host of new signings that made their debuts vs Waikato FC on the weekend - with a different looking team from last season, has it been hard to gel? It’s always going to take time to gel when there are so many new faces. But this team are all on the same page, right from day one everyone was accepted, and we all knew what we wanted. We are a group of lads that want to win. The more we train and the more we play the better we will get. I think were gelling quite nicely! 4. Paul Posa led the team to a memorable 2009/10 season but has since stepped down - what qualities have Ramon (who moves into a co-coaching role) & new co-coach Aaron McFarland brought to the team this year? Ramon and Aaron have similar qualities, that helps them to work closely together. They are both very tactical and knowledgeable about the game and know how to get the lads working together at the right intensity. They both have a great desire for the team to do well and it rubs off on all of us. 5. It is still very early days but what expectations do the players have for the upcoming ASB Premiership & O-League season? At the very start of pre season we all sat down and spoke about goals and aims. We want to win both competitions we are Auckland City! 6. Lastly what can all the ACFC Supporters out there expect from the team this season? A young fresh faced team, that is eager and keen to win, we want to roll the ball around as much as possible but can scrap and battle with the best of them when we have to. We want to be ruthless in our approach. From the keepers to the youth squad we all want to be number 1 again. James Pritchett and the team will be fully focused on the next game ahead...this Saturdays opening O-League game vs AS Magenta, 3pm at the home of football Kiwitea Street! CITY CITY!! FEET FEET CITY!