Archived News from March 2008
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HOLLAND AND DAWSON REACTION
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Post match interviews with Paul Holland, Stephen Dawson from Mansfield 103.2 and Radio Nottingham, here
-------------------- Holland bullish after Bury defeat By John Lomas PAUL Holland was in bullish mood as he refused to write off Stags' survival chances or his own hopes of becoming full time manager. The caretaker boss has won just one of his four games in charge and today's poor 2-0 defeat at Bury was the worst display yet as Stags fell seven points adrift of safety. "A decision has to be made and I still think I am the right man for the job to save this club," he said. "If someone else came in now they would have a very difficult job. I know the players. I have been at the club a long time now and I hope they show a bit of trust in myself. Full story here "I know the gap is seven points but things happen in football. We can still do it and I don't know if that is blind faith in me or the people I work with. But I still believe we can do it. Only the end of the season will prove if I am right or wrong. "We have got to win matches, probably four or five out of eight. It is one less match we have. But I still back me and the players to get out of this. "There is a lot of hard work to do and we have to roll our sleeves up. We certainly need six points from the next two games." Stags' dreadful first half showing saw them trail 2-0 at the break and Holland added: "That first half cost us the game. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. "It was not good enough from start to finish. The first goal changed the game and yet again we had stuff written on the dressing room wall about who picks who up and where at free kicks and they have not listened to instructions again. "On Saturday I didn't think we got what we deserved but we did today - nothing. "I spoke to their manager and he said there wasn't much between the teams apart from the goals - but that's what football's about. "I have had a pop at them and told them in no uncertain terms that it wasn't good enough and they have taken that on board. "I have played in numerous games when a side has come back from 2-0 down. But our heads went down. There is a lot of hard work ahead between now and Saturday." --------------- Tribute to striker Rooney Alan Knill paid tribute to Adam Rooney after the Bury striker helped to sink Mansfield. The player, on loan from Stoke, scored a late equaliser for the Shakers in a 1-1 draw at Field Mill. And he was at it again against the Stags with the second goal that put Bury in the box seat and saw them go on to win 2-0. "When I came to the club I brought some new players in and Rooney was one of those," said Knill. "He has not played as well as he can do during his time with us, but he does know how to score goals. "He scored at their place and he did it again today - and they have proved to be two very important goals for us." Knill believes Bury are now safe in League Two and says the club are already planning for next season. He said: "I have been thinking about next season for four or five weeks now and looking at players' contracts. "When I walked into the club I always felt we had enough to stay up, especially when I brought the new players in." |
Latest | March 2008