Archived News from April 2013
|
COX, BRISCOE, HOWELL AND ANTH SMITH REACTION
|
 |
|
Cox: Records are there to be broken video interview with Cox, Briscoe and Howell http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-records-are-there-to-be-broken-746367.aspx?&pageView=full#anchored Manager Paul Cox insists that records are there to be broken, following today's fantastic 4-0 home hammering of Gateshead at One Call Stadium. Our magnificent side won their 12th match in succession to equal the Football Conference record for successive wins, which was set by Hereford United in the 2003/04 campaign. Anthony Howell grabbed the opener midway through the first period, whilst Louis Briscoe, Matt Green and Ben Hutchinson were also on the scoresheet. "Gateshead were dogged and resolute and we probably scored at the right time if I'm being honest, because there was a bit of anxiety about us today," said our boss. "But the lads worked hard again and put in a real shift. They deserved to get the three points and are working extremely hard to get three points. "In the final third, sometimes we looked a little bit off-key in our decision making. I'm not going to complain though, because the lads put in a real shift and deserved to get the win. "The only thing what will please me more [than equalling the Football Conference consecutive wins record] is getting a good result in our next game. "Records are there to be broken and I think all credit must go to the lads. "We seem to be scoring from all different positions around the pitch at the minute. I like to focus on what's head of us, so it's just about enjoying [the run in]. Our next game is at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Thursday (kick-off 7.45pm). ------------------ Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham: audio interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21921457 "It was a strange kind of game, especially early on. In the final third I thought we were making wrong decisions and bad choices. "But we had to be patient. I thought Gateshead were very dogged and resolute and I just thought the more the game went on, the more gaps started to open. "I'm chuffed for the lads. I'm just pleased that we've come through with a decent scoreline." ----------------------------- Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox preparing for BSBP title race to go right down to the wire chad.co.uk Although Mansfield Town look red hot favourites for the BSBP title with just six games to go, manager Paul Cox is still preparing for the race to go right down to the wire. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield-town-boss-paul-cox-preparing-for-bsbp-title-race-to-go-right-down-to-the-wire-1-5541798 Stags equalled a club and Conference record of 12 straight wins with today's 4-0 demolition of visiting Gateshead and are still only one point behind leaders Kidderminster with three games in hand. They have to travel to face fading title rivals Wrexham on Thursday and also face the Welshmen a second time at home on the last day of the season. With a game at struggling Barrow two days after the Wrexham game, Stags could have all but clinched the championship in the next seven days. But Cox is counting no chickens. "We are prepared to go to the wire with this," said Cox. "It could go to the last game of the season and I am mentally preparing the boys for that. It won't be easy and there will be twists and turns still. "Whatever happens, we must adapt and overcome it. No one has won it until it's mathematically won. "I expect injuries or some bad luck. I want to make sure we are prepared foe every eventuality. If we expect everything, there will be no surprises. "Without sounding arrogant, I am not looking at other clubs' results, just concentrating on what we are doing. "We mustn't start getting our heads turned. Let's enjoy today's result and then start getting the lads' feet back down for the next couple of tough games. "The lads will travel to Wrexham, then the chairman has been good enough to say we can go straight up to Barrow so the lads can get some much-needed rest and recovery. So it's a big thank you to him." He added: "We tried to play on the front foot today and scored a goal at the right time time as there was a bit of anxiety. "We had to be patient. Gateshead were dogged and resolute and the lads had to work extremely hard again. "It is nice to equal records. But I don't like the razzmatazz. The lads deserve all the credit and the accolades coming their way. "It's nice to see four different scorers today. We relied heavily on Matt Green last season but we seem to be scoring from all over the park at the moment. "I though Greg Taylor was immaculate on his home debut and the back four were absolutely tremendous." -------------------------- Stags boss Cox focuses on last six vital games Nottingham Post AS Mansfield Town prepare to take their winning run away to third-place Wrexham, it's clear confidence could hardly be higher in the Stags camp. http://m.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story.html?aid=18596302&category=sport Despite an impressive run of 12 winning games in a row though, manager Paul Cox is ensuring that feet stay firmly on the ground at the One Call Stadium. "I've got a group of lads who are understanding. Confidence is a good thing, arrogance isn't. We will go about our business. No one is shouting from the roof tops at this stage," Cox said. "The lads deserve a pat on the back, but we've got some tough games in front of us and I think we'll prepare right and prepare for every eventuality. If we are good enough, so be it. If not we'll dust ourselves down and go again." With Wrexham just one place behind the Stags in the table, Thursday's game is likely to be seen by the home side as their last chance to stay in the title hunt. Despite the quality of their opponents however, Paul Cox is focussing on his own side and returning to Nottinghamshire with another three points. "We go there with a positive mind-set," he said. "It's a scenario where we want to win. I don't like talking about the opposition, I would rather talk about our strengths, our weaknesses, where we can improve. "We'll go there positive and go there strong, but most of all we'll be focussed." With the Easter gift of Monday's 4-0 win over Gateshead – the Stags players showed again showed an impressive level of performance, a cutting edge and defensive solidity. But the players also showed that energy levels remain high, with six games coming up in the space of just 16 days. "The lads are happy to play football – we're all paid to win football matches and there's no better feeling than playing," Cox continued. "If someone said to me you can play six matches, even at 41 I'd bite their hand off because I want to play. "There's no moaning on our part, we just get on with it. "We'll get injuries, loss of form and we're going to get tiredness. But there's a real desire and hunger for the next game to come and I can't coach that. All I can do is try to instill the belief and the desire and that's the way forward." A confident performance full of attacking intent against Gateshead pleased the boss. Cox continued: "I thought we created a lot of chances but we made some bad decisions in the last third during the first half. "We scored at a nice time and second half we started to pick a pass and didn't look as anxious. "The lads are working hard and its pleasing to get three points – it's over now though and we look forward to our next game." With the games set to hit the Stags thick and fast, Cox is ready to utilise squad members who haven't been so involved recently, to keep things fresh. "No one is feeling sorry for themselves. We've got a group of good players in reserve who aren't in the 16 and we need to utilise them," Cox said. "There will be some twists and turns but the players look hungry at a stage of the season when there could be tired legs. "I've got a group of players that will adapt and overcome – that sounds a bit regimental but that's the way we've got to go about it." For Cox, it is almost irrelevant how well the team have performed, what results have been achieved and most particularly, where the Stags lie in the league table – the Stags only have eyes fixed on being in the best position on the final day of the season. The boss said: "The lads look at it, I sometimes look at it, but it's totally irrelevant. It only means something on April 20 – that's when you need to look at it, when somebody is crowned champions. "We're going to give it our best shot. We've got six games left – our feet are firmly on the ground, we're focused. "If we're good enough, brilliant, if not we'll take our chances in the play-offs." ----------------- Mansfield Town midfielder Louis Briscoe told BBC Radio Nottingham: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21963620 "You want to play in every game, but we have players who are quite flexible and interchangeable and we have all benefited from having a bit of a rest and going again. "You get a rest and and come back and are raring to go again. I think the gaffer has got it about right. You want to play every game, but if it's going to win us the championship, I don't mind taking a few games out to go again. "It's a team and squad game. The training is ferocious at the moment. It's a high tempo and all the lads are itching to get in the team, but we all know the main goal is to win the league." -------------------- 02/04/2013, by Jeff Bowron, Evening Chronicle http://www.gateshead-fc.com/4450/media-watch-no-stags-party-for-heed? Gateshead face five cup finals to preserve their Conference top flight status, four of them on 'home' soil at Carlisle, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. Just as well as The Heed have conceded ten goals in their last three away games, all defeats, the latest an Easter Monday 4-0 drubbing at title favourites Mansfield Town. Three of the 'home' games are against relegation rivals and it promises to be a nerve shredding end to a traumatic campaign. Already without injured trio Carl Magnay, James Marwood and captain Ben Clark more injuries were picked up at Field Mill. Strikers James Brown, Ryan Donaldson and Liam Henderson all sustained knocks and face a race to be fit to face Luton Town at Carlisle on Saturday. While the problems mount up manager Anth Smith is confident his leg-weary squad will get the job done. Smith said: "It is difficult to say whether we need two or three more wins but what I do know is that it is in our own hands. "The Mansfield game was our fifth in ten days which is a crazy schedule and once Mansfield got their second goal on 17 minutes from time it was all over. "It was a game too far for us. We were physically and mentally tired and we've now got the luxury of four days without a game. "That will allow us to get on the training ground and address one or two problems which we haven't been able to due to all the games. "Fortunately other results went for us yesterday but we don't want it to go to the final day against Ebbsfleet at Middlesbrough - we have to be safe before then." With central defender Clark out for the rest of the season and two full-backs missing striker Liam Hatch and midfield man Micky Cummins had to play in the back four. --------------------- |
Latest | April 2013