WHEN told that Bradford City have conceded just one league goal in his seven starts for the claret and amber, George Pratt gave a self-effacing smile.

The Bradfordian is quick to dispense praise across the board - and not just to his fellow defenders either.

In his eyes, it's been a real team effort, with City seeking a fourth consecutive clean sheet—and the fourth under Michael Duff's stewardship—in today's game at Oxford United.

This season, the Bantams have already registered eight League One shut-outs, with goalkeeper Jon McCracken currently four clear of his nearest rival in the Golden Glove department.

Bradford City defender George Pratt, pictured on his debut for his hometown club against Mansfield Town. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Bradford City defender George Pratt, pictured on his debut for his hometown club against Mansfield Town. Photo: Tony Johnson.

As for being a lucky charm himself, Pratt, who is on a season-long loan from Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, said: "I think that comes from everybody, though, not just from myself.

"I think it comes from the attackers all the way down, to Ibby (Ibou Touray) and Cal (Callum Connolly) next to me and the whole backline. It doesn't come from an individual.

"It's not just the defenders, it's not just the midfielders or the attackers. I think everybody's a unit and it's the unit that gets the clean sheet.

"I think it's something that we pride ourselves on. It's something that we edge towards and we want every single game. If you can keep the opposition from scoring, it puts you in a good stead to win the game.

Bradford City manager Michael Duff. Picture courtesy of BCAFC

"Everyone's got that personality trait of ours, which I think is really good and the reason why we are keeping so many clean sheets is because everybody wants to do it.

"Personally and from a team perspective, everybody wants to keep it going. I think you could ask the strikers if they want to keep it going, they'd say the exact same thing, so I think it's from a team perspective."

Pratt believes that the appointment of Duff, a formidable presence at the back during his long playing association with Burnley in particular, is helping to further develop defensive aspects of his own game.

He and his fellow defenders are also learning to be 'lords of the dance' as well in terms of their movements.

"The gaffer calls it dancing", explained Pratt, currently keeping an experienced left-sided centre-half out of the side in Macaulay Gillesphey.

"Just be light on your feet and squeeze the pitch to be ready for the long ball again.

"He holds us to the highest standard every single day, which I think is right.

"He wants us to be aggressive, side-on and to defend balls. He wants us to be proactive, so it's good.

"He is obviously an experienced manager and was an experienced player, so for him to come in as a centre-half, it's only going to benefit me personally and the backline as well.

"I think aerially, I'm (also) getting better.

"It's something that I've not experienced before. Long balls and drills in the air.

"That's something that I'm getting better on and something I'm trying to get better on and I think the lads around me help me with that."