Archived News from March 2014
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DAGENHAM PREVIEWS
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Paul Cox video interview
http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/3690445 ------------ Cox: League Two is so tight mansfieldtown.net, 27th February 2014 Manager Paul Cox has emphasised the tightness of the Sky Bet League Two table ahead of this weekend’s match away to Dagenham & Redbridge. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-league-two-is-so-tight-1386904.aspx?#OuRjVouxitLxj1xo.99 As a result of Tuesday’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to Bury at One Call Stadium, we dropped three places to 20th position in the table - and to within six points of the relegation zone. Remarkably, however, we could climb as high as seven places with a win at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium on Saturday - a team who we beat 3-0 at One Call Stadium in the early weeks of the season. “The league is so tight that we’re seven points from the team in eighth place in the division with 14 games left, but on the other flip side we’re only six points off [the team who are] second bottom,” said Cox. “It’s a ‘mad’ league this year, and there are so many teams that are very even in everything - from the players to the finances to how long they’ve been in the league. “It’s a tough league and I think we’ve just got to go and earn the right [to win matches]. We know what’s infront of us, we know what we’ve got to do and we cant sit and harper on about a bad result.” Reflecting on the defeat to Bury, Cox said: “It was a poor performance. We’re not going to hide away from that fact. I thought in every facet of the game that they were better than us. “In the majority of games we’ve competed so it was a poor night for us, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. We can’t sit and feel sorry for ourselves, we’ve got to pick ourselves up and just get on with things. “There are some big games coming up and we can’t let that performance hanker in the back of our minds.” Our manager added: “I don’t think it’s systems that win games, its players that win games. We beat a very efficient and good side in Fleetwood on Saturday, playing the same system. “We also did very well at Oxford, albeit we lost the game, and some supporters said the Oxford and Fleetwood games were the best that they’ve seen us play this season. “So I’m not buying into [the theory] that systems decide the match. Its players and I thought we looked a little bit tired and jaded.” On the injury front, winger Louis Briscoe resumed training earlier this week and completed a full 90 minutes in last night’s Final Third Development League match against Scunthorpe United. Despite a 3-0 defeat, our second-string dominated territorially for long spells at Kirklington Road, but were unable to break down a resolute Iron side, who netted all three goals after the re-start. Cox added: “Reserve games at this stage of the season are just about fitness. I just wanted everyone to come through with 90 minutes under their belt, working hard and gaining good match-fitness. “It was a really competitive game with some tackles flying in, but the boys worked hard. In the first half, we could have been two or three to the good, but we need to start putting away our chances right throughout the club. “It got people like ‘Hutch’ (Ben Hutchinson), Lindon (Meikle), Oliie Palmer and Ross Dyer match-fitness and another game. ‘Muz’ (Adam Murray) and Jamie McGuire also got 90 minutes. “We’re going to need everyone between now and the end of the season. I think there will be some twists and turns and surprises, so we need to stay focused on what we want to achieve.” -------------- Mansfield Town boss expects response against Dagenham and Redbridge chad.co.uk, 27 February 2014, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk Boss Paul Cox says he expects his players to respond positively to their midweek drubbing by Bury. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-boss-expects-response-against-dagenham-and-redbridge-1-6467817 Mansfield were off the pace throughout as Bury outclassed Stags to leave the One Call Stadium with a comfortable 4-1 win. But, despite the poor nature of defeat, Cox said it was important his players stayed positive. “It was a poor performance and we cannot hide from that fact. Bury were better than us in all areas and we have to accept that,” said Cox. “I want to see a response after Tuesday, I can’t make any promises but my players are normally good at giving a response. “We all want the same result, we all know what is at stake and we are all focused and pulling in the same direction. “We have got some big games coming up and we cannot do anything about Tuesday now, we just have to move on and be positive. “We need to get some of our injured players back as we are a bit threadbare at the moment. “There will be some twists and turns until the end of the season and we need all our players back. “It is a tight league at the moment, there are so many teams that are even, both in terms of players and budgets. We are ready for battle and have got to earn the right to win games. “We want to finish the season strongly and in a good position.” The midweek defeat leaves Stags just six points ahead of Northampton, who have a game in hand, in the final relegation place. Mansfield have won three of their last 13 matches, but have not won away since they beat Exeter 1-0 on 4th January. -------------- Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox left frustrated by ‘untrue’ rumours chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox has fired a broadside at the club’s ‘rumour-moungering’ supporters. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-boss-paul-cox-left-frustrated-by-untrue-rumours-1-6469330 The frustrated manager believes too many fans have been too quick to spread untrue rumours about player selection policies and are creating a negative vibe around the club. He was responding to criticism from a certain section of the Field Mill faithful over why Adam Murray and Jake Speight are not featuring in the side. Said Cox: “Adam Murray is coming to the later end of his career and is also looking at the coaching side of the game. “He wants to play, but we have got to use him with his age and experience wisely. You get to an age where your body cannot do what it once could. “We did not miss him on Saturday when we beat a very good team in Fleetwood and people were saying how well we had played. “For the last four to five months Jake Speight has been battling injury and illness and he has not been able to have a consistent run. “Would I like to play him? Of course I would, every manager wants goalscorers in the team. “There is no conspiracy theory as to why these players have not been in the team. There have been no fallouts, no arguments and there is nothing in any rumours “The rumour-mill at this club amazes me, it seems to really get people going when there is nothing there at all. “From now on I will be talking about the positives at this club and others can talk about negatives.” Mansfield travel to Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday looking to put their 4-1 Bury nightmare behind them. The midweek defeat has left Stags just six points ahead of Northampton, who have a game in hand, in the final relegation place. Mansfield have won three of their last 13 matches, but have not won away since they beat Exeter 1-0 on 4th January. --------------------- Leicester City loanee Michael Cain eager to make full Football League debut for Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, 27 February 2014, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk Mansfield Town new boy Michael Cain says he cannot wait to make his full Football League debut. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/leicester-city-loanee-michael-cain-eager-to-make-full-football-league-debut-for-mansfield-town-1-6466816 The Leicester City loanee came on as a second half substitute in the midweek defeat by Bury to make his first Mansfield Town appearance. And he now hopes he has done enough to impress boss Paul Cox and earn his first career start against Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend. “When I came on against Bury we were already 3-0 down so it wasn’t the easiest of starts and it was a hard game for me to get into,” said Cain. “We just need to forget about Bury now and move on. We are working hard as a team and are all ready to go for Saturday. “It was a disappointing night for us, but we have got a good team spirit and are all focused on getting a result against Dagenham. It is important that we respond positively and we remain positive in our attitude. “I hope I have done enough to show that I am worth a start. Making my Football League debut will be massive for me and a great achievement. “It will show I have progressed as a player and hopefully I have done enough to earn a full start. “I have settled in very well, the lads and the supports have been very welcoming. I am delighted to be at Mansfield Town and to have the chance to gain Football League experience. “I will see how it goes this month and assess then whether I will be here for longer than a month and whether Mansfield Town will want me to stay. We will see how it goes.” Mansfield Town last won away when they defeated Exeter City 1-0 back in January. --------------- Mansfield Town can still make League Two play-offs, says Ryan Tafazolli chad.co.uk, 27 February 2014, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk Defender Ryan Tafazolli believes Mansfield Town can still make the play-offs. http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/mansfield-town-can-still-make-league-two-play-offs-says-ryan-tafazolli-1-6466370 Lowly Mansfield currently sit in 20th spot following Tuesday night’s 4-1 mauling by Bury and are just six points above Northampton Town who occupy the last relegation place. But Tagazolli says that 7th placed Southend United are still catchable despite The Shrimpers being 11 points ahead. “Things can change quickly in this like. It is not unrealistic to say that we can still reach the play-offs in my opinion,” said Tafazolli. “The table is that tight, if we go on a good run like we did last season then I don’t think the play-offs are out of reach. “There are a lot of points still to be played for and if we can put a run together then we can climb the table.” And, despite the 4-1 drubbing by Bury, Tafazolli is confident Mansfield will bounce back when the travel to London to face Dagenham on Saturday. “We have to look forward now. Tuesday was not good, but it is important that we have the ability to bounce back now,” he said. “We need to concentrate on what we are good at on Saturday and be positive against Dagenham. If we do that then I don’t think we will have any problems against Dagenham. “We have been strong defensively recently so Tuesday night was disappointing, it was just one of this things. “As players and a team, we can learn from the defeat. I have been looking at the DVD and analysing my performance to see where I could have improved, some of my clearances could have been better. “If we stay solid and keep a clean sheet on Saturday then we will get all three points.” Stuttering Dagenham have picked up just two wins out of their last 13 games as their own play-off bid begins to fade. Mansfield, who defeated Dagenham 3-0 back in August, have won three of their last 13 matches. Louis Briscoe came through Wednesday night’s 3-0 reserve defeat against Scunthorpe unscathed as he looks to make a return to the first team. Assistant manager Adam Murray also got a run out. ------------ |
Latest | March 2014