Pratley was on target with two clinical finishes as the Swans moved within two points of their local rivals and claimed that the key difference between them and their visitors was the team spirit in the Swans camp.
Speaking after the game to Wales on Sunday, Pratley said “Our team spirit was a key factor
“In a derby game, you have to stick together. It was disappointing to go in level at the break.
“At 2-0 up we were in control. But fair play to them, they stuck at it and came back, although to us they scored two sloppy goals.
“Maybe a couple of seasons ago, we’d have lost that game from being 2-0 up.
“But the character that we showed to push on again was different class.
“The manager has instilled a winning mentality into us. That’s our 10th game unbeaten now.
“You can see how hard we work for each other and how we stick together.
“It was a brilliant feeling.
“That was my sixth start and I hadn’t scored this season.
The more it goes on, the more it gets written that midfielders need to score.
“And against your local rivals,it’s even more special.
“The main thing was the three points – and we got that.
“We’re not going to get carried away, but obviously it breeds confidence when you beat your local rivals.
“If we’d lost, this international break would have been a long 14 days. It makes training that bit harder. But we’ll enjoy ourselves this weekend before getting back to work on Monday.”
Pratley was also making reference to pre-match comments by Jay Bothroyd when he added “We saw what was said about us not being the same team.
“And, of course, it motivates you a little bit more.
“But we wanted to win the game for ourselves and our fans,” he added.
“It wasn’t a case of wanting to get one over on him.”
