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Darren Pratley (Page 25 - Detailed interview with the SLP pre Leyton Orient match )

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  • JamesSeed
    JamesSeed Posts: 17,380
    We badly need a Pratley type next season. 
    Proper pro, super fit, lives and breaths the game, gives everything, gees up other players, can mark a key opponent out of the game. Physical presence. 
  • usetobunkin
    usetobunkin Posts: 2,182
    JamesSeed said:
    We badly need a Pratley type next season. 
    Proper pro, super fit, lives and breaths the game, gives everything, gees up other players, can mark a key opponent out of the game. Physical presence. 
    Totally agree! Pratley looked 28 not 38. 
    Type of player who turns to coaching and makes a success of it.
  • iaitch
    iaitch Posts: 10,225
    What price is he to be our next manager?
  • se9addick
    se9addick Posts: 32,034
    iaitch said:
    What price is he to be our next manager?
    He should be our next midfielder, never mind manager!
  • Bostonaddick
    Bostonaddick Posts: 813
    A lot of recency bias coming out of one good performance against us.  He has been crap for them all year.
  • Raith_C_Chattonell
    Raith_C_Chattonell Posts: 5,677
    In today's Mirror.



    Darren Pratley May Be A Precious Fossil From English Football’s Jurassic Age But He Knows The Game Inside Out

    News Reporter

    DARREN PRATLEY may be a precious fossil from English football’s Jurassic age but he knows the game inside out – raptor and verse.

    From bread rolls being tossed around set-piece drills in hotel dining rooms to the manager who jumped into a river to ­inspire his players, the Leyton Orient captain thought he had seen it all after more than 720 appearances in all four divisions.

    But when the O’s face ­Manchester City for the first time in 59 years in the FA Cup fourth round today, it will be one of the biggest games of his life.

    Pratley (below, battling City’s Carlos Tevez in 2011) turns 40 in April, but Father Time needn’t bother ­sending round the bailiffs to call in his debts yet.

    If City, whose £200million ­outlay in the transfer window was almost more than all their Premier League rivals put ­together, pitch up expecting a stroll in the park, super-fit Pratley will give them a guided tour of Brisbane Road from box to box.

    And the most enchanted day out on the Leyton High Road since Jonathan Tehoue’s 89th-minute equaliser earned Orient a replay against Arsenal 14 years ago is right up his street.

    Pratley said: “Apart from Dean Lewington at MK Dons (who is 40), I’m just about the oldest one out there now but I don’t worry about my age.

    “I’m still up there in the top group in the bleep tests – maybe I’m not the quickest in terms of sprinting, but my game is based on fitness and I’ve looked after myself over the years.

    “It’s going to be a great ­occasion. The champions are coming to town, nobody expects us to win and it’s a fantastic ­opportunity for your young ­players to measure themselves against the best.

    “I’m going to make the most of it because I may not get too many more chances to be involved in games like this.

    “Football is the only thing I’ve known for 23 years and I wouldn’t have a clue how to start doing another job. Put me on a checkout or in an office and I’d be lost, but I like to think I know my way around a football pitch.”

    Pratley has served under a dizzying cast of managers including Brendan Rodgers, ­Roberto ­Martinez and Jean Tigana, but none could match the great Mad Dog himself for glorious unorthodoxy.

    Martin Allen (left) was the first to pick Pratley on a regular basis when he was on loan at ­Brentford 20 years ago, and the O’s ­skipper laughed: “He used to make us sit in the stands with the punters for a couple of minutes as part of the warm-up to show we were playing for them.

    “At pre-match meals, he would go through set-pieces in the hotel dining room with a ­couple of chairs as goalposts and we were ­chucking bread rolls around. He would do all sorts to try and inspire the team, like jumping in the River Tees and going for a swim before an FA Cup ­replay at Hartlepool.

    “I’m heavily into ice baths and cryotherapy, but I would draw the line at that!

    “And his team talks were ­legendary. He used to take his shirt off at half-time, sit on a chair in the middle of the changing room ­topless and stare at you or talk to you without blinking. He was ­absolutely ­brilliant.”

    As for today?

    “We need to enjoy the experience against City, but the best way of doing that will be ­working hard – because application is what makes them such a great team,” added Pratley. “Fortunately we’ve got a group of players who are more ­interested in doing the basics right than swapping shirts or ­collecting souvenirs.

    “Apart from Wayne Rooney, who I played with for England Under-15s and I got his shirt for my brother, I’ve never been ­interested in asking for an ­opponent’s top. We’re here to do a job, not join a fan club.”

  • Southbank
    Southbank Posts: 5,252
    My daughter and I still reminisce about the 'Pratley fall' whenever a player buys a free kick by slowly collapsing under the slightest pressure from the opponent.
  • se9addick
    se9addick Posts: 32,034
    I’m still a Pratley fan, I think describing him as a “fossil from English football’s Jurassic age” is a bit much. 
  • guinnessaddick
    guinnessaddick Posts: 28,617
    Not in the starting line up.
  • wmcf123
    wmcf123 Posts: 5,824
    se9addick said:
    I’m still a Pratley fan, I think describing him as a “fossil from English football’s Jurassic age” is a bit much. 
    He was extremely valuable in games where we had none of the ball in the championship - huge nous and experience . He also has some
    decent games in the middle of a back 3.  I liked him less in league one , where his lack of ball playing ability and passing tempo made us quite predictable.  
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  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,842
    He played for Brendan Rodgers in a pure passing Swansea team, so isn't just a runner and clogger 
  • Garrymanilow
    Garrymanilow Posts: 13,167
    'we’ve got a group of players who are more ­interested in doing the basics right than swapping shirts or ­collecting souvenirs'

    God, Nathan Jones would have loved having Darren Pratley
  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 21,258
    Garrymanilow said:
    'we’ve got a group of players who are more ­interested in doing the basics right than swapping shirts or ­collecting souvenirs'

    God, Nathan Jones would have loved having Darren Pratley

    Surprised he didn't try and sign him when we let Taylor go
  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,376
    killerandflash said:
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    Given where we were at the time I think we got rid of Darren a wee bit too soon.
    He was a victim of the decision to give Ben Watson a 2 year deal. If Watson wasn't still under contract, I'm sure we would have kept Pratley on.
    The worst thing about was it was initially a 1 year deal with an optional year, he then played enough games for his extension to be activated.
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,304
    Scoham said:
    killerandflash said:
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    Given where we were at the time I think we got rid of Darren a wee bit too soon.
    He was a victim of the decision to give Ben Watson a 2 year deal. If Watson wasn't still under contract, I'm sure we would have kept Pratley on.
    The worst thing about was it was initially a 1 year deal with an optional year, he then played enough games for his extension to be activated.
    Didnt he then decide to retire before the end of his contract?
  • Garrymanilow
    Garrymanilow Posts: 13,167
    ForeverAddickted said:
    Scoham said:
    killerandflash said:
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    Given where we were at the time I think we got rid of Darren a wee bit too soon.
    He was a victim of the decision to give Ben Watson a 2 year deal. If Watson wasn't still under contract, I'm sure we would have kept Pratley on.
    The worst thing about was it was initially a 1 year deal with an optional year, he then played enough games for his extension to be activated.
    Didnt he then decide to retire before the end of his contract?
    At the very start of it I believe
  • Crusty54
    Crusty54 Posts: 3,231
    wmcf123 said:
    se9addick said:
    I’m still a Pratley fan, I think describing him as a “fossil from English football’s Jurassic age” is a bit much. 
    He was extremely valuable in games where we had none of the ball in the championship - huge nous and experience . He also has some
    decent games in the middle of a back 3.  I liked him less in league one , where his lack of ball playing ability and passing tempo made us quite predictable.  
    He had a bad habit of shirt pulling as an opposition player ran past. Often resulted in a booking.
  • Chunes
    Chunes Posts: 17,347
    killerandflash said:
    He played for Brendan Rodgers in a pure passing Swansea team, so isn't just a runner and clogger 
    He's still an immense athlete when he's pushing 40. At that age, he was an absolute monster which more than made up for this lack of technical ability. 
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  • Bod
    Bod Posts: 177
    He never let us down and I was peeved we let him go. I'm glad he continues to have a great career. Our loss is Orients gain.
  • wmcf123
    wmcf123 Posts: 5,824
    Billy_Mix said:
    https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/exclusive-interview-with-charlton-athletic-play-off-winner-darren-pratley-still-going-strong-at-leyton-orient/
    https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/exclusive-interview-with-charlton-athletic-play-off-winner-darren-pratley-still-going-strong-at-leyton-orient/

    Class act on and off the pitch

    Never understood the brickbats he attracted - he wasn't Liam Brady or Brian Robson but flat broke 3rd division clubs don't get to sign those blokes, do they.
    Cullen, Bielik, 🐍, get lots of the credit for the Bowyer playoff promotion season but Pratley's contribution was just as important, not least in the playoff semi 2nd leg at The Valley, without his drive, professionalism and goal Doncaster were putting us out

    Worked with a Fulham fan when DP joined Charlton and he waxed lyrical about one of his favourite all-time players, I was sceptical, I knew DP's name, I just about recognised him but he obviously hadn't had a high profile career up to that point.  Me former colleague was right though, no doubt.  

    He's obviously not one of NJ's old pals so I don't suppose we'll see him coaching at Sparrows Lane for a while yet but he'll be a valuable asset wherever he plies his trade.
    Pratley was better in his second season than he was in his first.  I felt he looked a bit lost in that very good midfield but he certainly dragged us through against Doncaster .  In the championship, he had some colossal games , especially against Leeds and Brentford .  
  • RC_CAFC
    RC_CAFC Posts: 1,755
    I’m in awe of what Pratley has achieved in his career but I’d far rather be facing him these days than have him in my team. 
  • JaShea99
    JaShea99 Posts: 5,458
    I always liked Prats and will defo give him a quick clap tomorrow.
  • Croydon
    Croydon Posts: 12,727
    Really good interview that. 
  • Addickhead86
    Addickhead86 Posts: 1,148
    I'll always remember his unnerving, manic grin as he would go down at the lightest of touches whilst shepherding out the ball, or flying into an improbable late lunge. That energy must have been such a weapon against the minds of the opposition. I suppose these days you might call it "tomfoolery."
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,842
    Mentions Watson being under contract. A massive shame we were stuck with him for another season.
  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,168
    Billy_Mix said:

    He's obviously not one of NJ's old pals so I don't suppose we'll see him coaching at Sparrows Lane for a while yet but he'll be a valuable asset wherever he plies his trade.
    Imagine what he could teach someone like Karoy Anderson.
  • Southendaddick
    Southendaddick Posts: 5,314
    Great interview really liked him and he  gets a dig in at Adkins and Watson two absolute charlatans 

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