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Archived News from December 2012

COX, BRISCOE, HOLDSWORTH REACTION
6th December 2012 12:26



audio interviews with Cox and Briscoe

http://soundcloud.com/mansfield-103-2-sport

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VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth told BBC Radio Lincolnshire:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20474582

"We were so nearly there but I give credit to Mansfield for sticking at it.

"I thought the togetherness shown by the players was extraordinary.

"We had to do it the hard way against Walsall and we'll have to do it again now but we won't be scared going to Field Mill.

"If we can keep fit we will go there and have a good night."

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20474582

"What a game of football. I think for every supporter that was in the ground it was a proper football match.

"When there's local derbies and a lot at stake, usually you get a stalemate.

"But you had two teams that just went at each other's throats and I think for both sets of supporters it was a cracking cup tie."

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Frustrated Paul Cox says Mansfield Town must improve defensively
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill

FRUSTRATED Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox says his side must learn to cut out the 'sloppy errors' if they are to progress as a team.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/frustrated-paul-cox-says-mansfield-town-must-improve-defensively-1-5188536?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Cox was left angry by his side's failure to beat Lincoln City in today's FA Cup second round clash after they were taken to a replay despite scoring three times.

And he was left particularly annoyed by the Imps third goal, which saw the lively Alan Power score after Lincoln broke at speed from their own defensive third following a Mansfield throw-in.

Said Cox: “We have come away from home and scored three goals, but we have been sloppy defensively.

“Their third goal sums it up perfectly. They have scored from our throw in and we have to be better than that and mentally stronger.

“I'm over the moon that we are in the draw for the next round, but we need to improve defensively. The goals we conceded today were not good. You should not score three goals away from home and fail to win.

“We should have gone in to the break leading 1-0. When I talk about having a better mindset and being stronger it is moments like that where we need to show it.

“We just seemed to switch off and get sloppy and that is something we need to tighten up on. There are a lot of areas we can improve on.”

But despite being disappointed with his side's defensive frailities, Cox praised his players for the determination which saw them level twice, including Matt Rhead's last gasp equaliser to secure the gripping 3-3 draw.

“Don't get me wrong, there were some good performances today,” he said. “The lads have worked very hard and shown a lot of desire, that aspect is something that is not in question.

“We showed a good desire to get back into the game. We were going for it at the end and pretty much had four players up front, before Matt Rhead did the job for us.

“Louis Briscoe was excellent today. He has been out in the cold earlier in the season, but has shown great charachter to get back into contention. He worked very hard today and deserves credit.

“Before the game we talked about making sure we were in the hat for the next round, even if it was because of a replay. I'm delighted that we have got that job done.”

Mansfield will now face Lincoln at One Call Stadium on Tuesday 11th December for a place in the FA Cup third round

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Cox delighted with huge following from Stags fans
Nottingham Post

MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox felt there was going to be a pitch invasion when Matt Rhead fired in his late equaliser at Lincoln City.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17485349-detail/story.html

The stoppage-time header rescued a 3-3 draw in the second round of the FA Cup and set up a replay a week tomorrow at the One Call Stadium.

And with the backing of almost 1,200 supporters, Cox felt it was no more than they deserved for their commitment to the cause.

He said: "The fans were absolutely magnificent and I thought they were going to come over the barrier when we scored the third. Later on in the game they maybe lost a bit of heart but it is unbelievable when you take that many supporters and they make that kind of noise. It felt like a home game at times.

"That is the beauty of the FA Cup, the beauty of football and why we are all in it. It was a cracker for both sets of supporters and it is what football is all about."

Matt Green put the Stags ahead before Alan Power equalised on the stroke of half-time. It got worse for Mansfield after the interval when Jamie Taylor scored immediately.

Louis Briscoe pulled Mansfield level with a wonder strike before Power netted again to put the hosts back in the lead. And then Rhead grabbed the late leveller.

"I think every supporter in the stadium got their money's worth," said Cox. "But it was not too good for the blood pressure.

"We have come away from home and scored three very good goals but we were sloppy defending. The third goal summed it up as they scored from our throw-in.

"I'm over the moon we are in the hat for the next round via a replay but looking beyond that, we have got to improve on our defending because the goals we conceded were not good.

"Five minutes before half-time, at 1-0 up, I expected us to shut up shop and then build on the momentum in the second half. But we were two goals to one down within two minutes of the second half."

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Cox wants tougher Mansfield Town
Nottingham Post

PAUL Cox was relieved to see his Mansfield Town side stay in the FA Cup – but insists they must toughen up mentally if they are to set up a mouthwatering third-round tie with Liverpool.

The Stags were trailing 3-2 at Lincoln in the second round tie at the weekend but fought back in stoppage time with Matt Rhead's dramatic equaliser.

It sets up a replay next Wednesday with the reward for the winner a third round tie against Brendan Rodgers' Premier League side.

Stags face Ebbsfleet United at home in the league on Saturday before their cup replay.

But while Cox praised his side's commitment last weekend, he said they cannot afford to ship such sloppy goals if they are to go through and also be a success in the league.

He said: "The lads worked hard and nobody is questioning our work ethic, our hunger or desire. I am just questioning our mind-set. When you come away from home you have to be mentally strong.

"We never thought we were under pressure, like they were opening us up with fluid football. The long throw caused us some problems and I expected us to deal with it.

"It is a mixture of emotions because you shouldn't go away, score three and not win a football match. That is something I am not happy with.

"But the lads did well to get back into it and it is one of those games, when the third one went in, you think 'here we go, it's the FA Cup'. We threw caution to the wind and played with four up front and went for it. The big man came on and did the business again.

"I said to the players we have done the job because I said to them to make sure we were in the hat for the next round. We have done that. But the sloppiness for the goals we conceded was criminal and needs putting right straight away."

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Mansfield Town goal hero dreams of FA Cup tie with Champions League side
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill

STAGS goal hero Louis Briscoe is dreaming of a lucrative FA Cup third round cup clash with one of England's Champions League sides.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield-town-goal-hero-dreams-of-fa-cup-tie-with-champions-league-side-1-5188548

The winger ensured Mansfield's name is tomorrow's third round hat after he scored a thunderbolt half-volley, set up Matt Rhead's injury-time equaliser and cleared Oliver's header off the line with the last touch of a highly entertaining 3-3 draw.

Speaking after the game Briscoe said: “We're really happy to be in the hat for the next round, it was a great game for the fans.

“My shot (second goal) could have gone anywhere. I just hit it and it went exactly where I wanted. I think the draw was a fair result, they had parts of the game where they tore into us and we also controlled parts of the game.

“I will be watching the draw tomorrow and I hope we can get one of the Champions League sides, or maybe Derby County because I supported them as a boy.”

But Briscoe, who is now enjoying a regular run in the starting eleven after being frozen out earlier this season, knows Mansfield cannot take a replay win for granted.

“Lincoln are a good team and we have to learn the lessons of today. We are not far off being a very good team at this level, we just need to cut out the defensive mistakes.”

The replay takes place at One Call Stadium on Tuesday 11th December

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Six-goal thriller so magical as Briscoe fires in wonder goal
Nottingham Post

MANSFIELD Town's Louis Briscoe said the thrilling 3-3 FA Cup draw with Lincoln City was the best game he had been involved in as a Stags player.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17485329-detail/story.html

The lead swapped hands before substitute Matt Rhead popped up at the death to head home a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser at Sincil Bank and send the game to a replay.

But there was more drama with the final act of the game seeing Briscoe head clear off the line, in a game where he scored a stunning goal of his own and set up Rhead's leveller.

And the winger said: "It was a great one for the spectators and great support for both sides. It got tasty at times, there were six goals and we go again with the replay.

"The game had everything, except for a red card really and it was rocking and probably the best game I have been involved in. It was an enjoyable game but the goals we conceded need to be cut out. We need to go back to the drawing board a bit.

"The FA Cup is extra special and the fans that travelled really helped us."

Briscoe made it 2-2 in the second half with a stunning left-foot strike into the top corner from 20 yards, giving goalkeeper Paul Farman no chance.

And now he can't wait for the replay and the chance to seal their place in the third round of the competition.

"It could have gone anywhere with the left foot but it went straight into the top corner, so I was absolutely delighted," said Briscoe.

"And with the goalline clearance, I had a man and I was worried if I let my marker go he would get a goal but I had an instinct it was going towards the goal so I got myself back on the line and managed to head it away.

"At 3-2 down, you don't lose hope, you keep plugging away and we have a decent spirit in the dressing room.

"Rheady is going to unsettle people and you know if you put the ball in the box, he is going to win the headers and that is what he did, so full credit to him.

"We had parts of the game where we bossed it and they had parts where they stretched us so it was a fair result and a good game for the spectator.

"As Lincoln have shown before this season they are very resolute, as we are, so we have to cut out the basic errors we are making because we are not far off being a very good team.

"We just have to knuckle down, work hard and take that into the replay."

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