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Archived News from October 2014

COX, CARR, RUSS WILCOX, JOHN McCOMBE REACTION
30th October 2014 10:31


video interview with Paul Cox from Mansfield 103.2 (for StagsPlayer subscribers)
http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/4248929/date/20141026120000/page/0/name/video--cox-on-york-draw
(transcription - see mansfieldtown.net and chad.co.uk links below)

video interview with Danny Carr from Mansfield 103.2 (for StagsPlayer subscribers)
http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/4249235/date/20141026145200/page/0/name/video--carr-on-first-goal-for-stags
(transcription - see mansfieldtown.net and chad.co.uk links below)

audio interview with Paul Cox from Radio Nottingham:
http://stagsnet.net/interviews/Cox_post_YorkA_25Oct14RadioNottm.mp3
Paul Cox: "An hour before the start we had to change our shape and personnel because of the injury to Martin Riley.
I've said it in previous weeks, it (4-4-2) is something we want to evolve to. There's been a lot of factors why I've stuck with 3-4-1-2 but we're now bringing in that little bit of quality that can affect the game and has that little bit more guile and sophistication where you can switch to that system."







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Boss rues missed chances in draw
mansfieldtown.net, 25th October 2014

Cox reflects on ‘good’ point, but believes our team did enough to take all three.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/boss-rues-missed-chances-in-draw-2040292.aspx#Q2HY5HH4YVIii8HC.99

Manager Paul Cox was disappointed that our team were unable to claim maximum points, despite coming from behind to earn a well-deserved point in today’s 1-1 draw with York City in Sky Bet League Two.

A mistake by Sascha Studer was punished by Diego De Girolamo, as the Minstermen - playing just their third match under the newly-appointed Russ Wilcox - went in 1-0 to the good at the interval.

However, our team looked rejuvenated after the re-start and got back on level terms on the hour mark, when Daniel Carr slammed the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box, following some good work in the air by Vadaine Oliver.

Carr, Rakish Bingham and skipper Adam Murray, amongst others, then had chances to win the game in a frantic last half-hour, which saw us on top for large spells.

Nevertheless, despite the pressure - which was especially intense as the game drew nearer to its conclusion, we were unable to find a way past York ‘keeper Alex Cisak and register what would have been a much-deserved three points.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Cox said: “In the second half, I thought we were excellent. We were camped in York’s half and had numerous chances to score, but things are tough at the minute.

“It’s tough when you come into a game and on the morning of the game you lose another centre-half. We had to re-jig [our formation] and it was an hour before kick-off that we decided that we’d go with 4-4-2 due to [available] personnel, so a massive amount of credit needs to be given to the boys, because I thought they were excellent.”

He continued: “We said at half-time that we want to be positive. We changed Rakish Bingham and Daniel Carr around, and I thought Rakish found a little bit more space on the flanks.

“’Tayls’ [Rob Taylor] started picking the ball up and we started affecting York [when we were] going forward. We looked a little bit more comfortable in possession, we played a simple pass when we needed to, and I thought we really affected the game with everything that we did.”

Cox also had particular praise for debutant frontman, Vadaine Oliver, who put pen-to-paper on a one-month loan with us only yesterday.

He added: “I think there needs to be a special mention for Vadaine, who was out of this world, because everything he did in terms of leading the frontline, was excellent. We only brought him off towards the end, because he had cramp.”

“We just needed that second goal. Some of the chances that flashed across the goal and across the six-yard box, we need to start putting away.

“We’ve come away from home again and picked up a really good point. If we can start picking up those three points at home now, we’ll start climbing the table and be in a more healthy position.”

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Cox may wheel and deal to keep loan signings
chad.co.uk

Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox said he wants to hang onto his loan signings for as long as possible after seeing their quality in today’s 1-1 draw at struggling York City.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/cox-may-wheel-and-deal-to-keep-loan-signings-1-6917045

Cox was left with nine first teamers missing for the game with centre half Martin Riley pulling out of the game this morning with a back spasm.

But Crewe striker Vadaine Oliver made a solid debut up front while Huddersfield striker Daniel Carr, on his full debut, caused problems from wide right in the first half before going central in the second half and netting the equaliser.

Cox also has Jamie Sendles-White, from QPR, and Keiron Freeman, from Derby, on loan to bolster his injury-hit squad and said: “The chairman deserves a real pat on the back right now.

“I want to bring in better players to this club and affect the top of the table.

“But this might mean some players have to go out to bring the new faces in.

“You look at the quality additions we have made in the last two or three weeks, those are the kind of players I want to keep here for the rest of the season.

“I know our hands are tied a bit financially. But the chairman is being very proactive right now and we have had some very positive conversations about us achieving good things.

“We also have some very good players to come back. My wish is to get my full quota back and then we can be judged consistently from game to game.

“If we pick up a couple more injuries now we are really going to be struggling.”

He added: “This had definitely been the toughest time of managerial career. But, in the middle of all these injuries, we have still not lost many matches.

“You have to say that felt more like two points lost today. The first half was pretty even, but we were encamped in their half in the second half and had numerous chances.

“The boys deserve a lot of credit. We lost Martin Riley before the game and made a decision to go 4-4-2 half an hour before kick-off.

“I thought Vadaine Oliver was excellent leading the front line, but he cramped up so we had to throw Ollie Palmer on, which wasn’t ideal as he isn’t fully fit.

“We swapped round Rakish Bingham and Daniel Carr at the break and I thought we got a bit more space on the flanks, started to affect the game going forward, and looked more comfortable in possession.

“We had some chances that flashed across the six yard box that we need to start putting away. But it’s another point away from home and now we just need to start winning at home.

“Getting players back is a major factor is us starting to climb the table.”

York’s goal came from one of several poor kicks from keeper Sascha Studer, but he also made a superb save in a one-in-one when York caught Stags on the break.

“His kicking is something he needs to address in training. But I am not going to have a go at the lad,” said Cox.

“He pulled off a great save in the second half at 1-1.

“I am not expecting him to be a world class keeper at this moment. He is still a baby in goalkeeping terms. But his potential is frightening and he could go on to play at the highest level.

“With young players it’s good to play them then take them out the team and let them work on what they need to work on like I did with him earlier in the season.”

Stags will play a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday to give Palmer and Chris Clements a chance to shake off the injury rust before next weekend.

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Mansfield Town goalkeeper Sascha Studer will work on his kicking
Nottingham Post, by Sarah Clapson

MANSFIELD Town will work with Sascha Studer to improve the goalkeeper’s kicking in a bid to help him realise his potential.

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Mansfield-Town-goalkeeper-Sascha-Studer-work/story-23623751-detail/story.html?#ixzz3HMvxQhRb

The 23-year-old was dropped earlier in the season, with boss Paul Cox citing Nottingham Forest loanee Dimitar Evtimov’s better distribution.

A groin strain to the latter gave Studer a way back into the team and he has played the last five games, conceding just three goals.

One of those came on Saturday, when he paid the price for some wayward punts, sending one straight to York City midfielder Russell Penn, with the opening goal the eventual result.

Studer made up for his error in the second half, pulling off a fine save to deny goalscorer Diego De Girolamo in the 1-1 draw.

But Cox is keen for the Swiss stopper to further his development and work on his flaws.

“I’m not going to have a go at the lad because I thought he pulled off a great save in the second half when we were chasing the game at 1-1 and looking to win it,” said the manager.

“He’s a baby in terms of a keeper.

“When I left him out earlier in the season it’s not because I dislike the lad or he was playing badly. Sometimes with young players they need to play a few games, then they need to come out (of the side) and work on the training ground on things they need to improve on.

“Personally, I think that’s part of Sascha’s game he needs to improve on.

“I’m not expecting Sascha to be a world class goalkeeper at this minute.

“He has potential to be frightening and to play at the highest level.

“I thought the kid was excellent in every facet of his game, but his kicking is something we need to work with him on.”

At the other end of the pitch, Cox was pleased to be able to deploy a target man in debutant Vadaine Oliver.

The striker joined last week on loan from Crewe Alexandra as Mansfield look to cope with injuries to Alex Fisher, Matt Rhead, Ollie Palmer and Liam Hearn. And he put in a fine performance at Bootham Crescent.

“If you look at this league, everybody has got a big, strong front man,” said Cox.

“He was out of this world.

“Everything he did, in terms of leading the front line, was excellent.

“We only brought him off at the end because he had cramped up.

“I thought going forward we were excellent. We just needed that second goal.”

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Confident Carr pleased to bag first goal
mansfieldtown.net, 25th October 2014

Youngster looks back on first full 90 minutes in Mansfield Town colours.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/confident-carr-pleased-to-bag-first-goal-2040375.aspx#RQP5ciwU7Y9poMPE.99

Striker Daniel Carr was one of many to put in an impressive performance in this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with York City at Bootham Crescent.

The young striker, who shifted from the right of midfield to play up front in the second half, admitted he wasn’t feeling the pressure to get that first elusive goal for the club.

He said: “It wouldn’t have put me down if I didn’t get the goal today, because I know that I would’ve got it eventually, but it’s better to get it now so I can now keep pushing on and getting goal after goal.

“I don’t set myself targets really. If I get one goal in one game I want to get two in the next and I’m just going to keep working hard to do that.”

Being a natural striker, Carr added that having scored his first goal he hopes he can give manager Paul Cox a selection headache for the next few games.

“I’m just here to play games and I understand there are other strikers who are coming back from injury,” continued the youngster. “All I can do is keep putting in good performances and scoring goals.”

Despite the striker only being 20 years of age, and somewhat new on the Sky Bet League Two scene, Carr believes that he can handle the physicality and pace of this level.

He added: “I’ve played in this league before so I understand what is required and the different roles and how the manager wants me to play. All I did and can do is my best for the team and the lads were excellent out there today.”

Our team turned on the heat in the second half, compared to a much more even first half, and the young Huddersfield Town forward believes there were a number of reasons behind the turnaround.

“In the second half, our balls going forward were more precise. We showed more hungerness and we really wanted to get something out the game and I think that showed in the second half.”

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New boy Carr feels York were lucky to hold Stags
chad.co.uk

Mansfield Town loan signing Daniel Carr felt York were ‘lucky’ to get away with the 1-1 draw in yesterday’s League Two clash at Bootham Crescent.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/new-boy-carr-feels-york-were-lucky-to-hold-stags-1-6917146

Carr, making his full debut on a month’s loan from Huddersfield Town, netted Stags’ equaliser in the second half.

But Paul Cox’s injury-hit side just couldn’t find the winner against struggling York, despite dominating much of the second half.

“I think second half we deserved to win,” said striker Carr, who played the first half wide on the right before playing down the middle after the break.

“We pinned them back and we created a few chances as well. I think they were quite lucky to get a draw second half.

“The gaffer said before the game he was going to play me on the right, but I was just happy to play.”

On his goal, he added: “I just tried to find space in the box, it was a superb header from Vadaine (Oliver) and I just hit it straight and it managed to go in.

“I was always confident about scoring here, but getting my first goal so early will give me more confidence.

“I can’t fault our performance second half. I thought we did brilliantly and would have won it if we’d taken our chances, myself included.

“I felt going forward we showed we wanted it more than York.”

Carr is hoping to get a run in the side but is aware Stags have several strikers working their way back from injury.

He said: “The lads have been excellent with me. I am here to play games, but I know there are players coming back from injury. I understand the situation.

“All I can do is score goals and the rest is up to the manager.”

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York City manager Russ Wilcox told BBC Radio York:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29670169

"It was a game of two halves. We passed the ball and moved the ball well, we created some good opportunities and scored a fantastic goal.
"Second half we asked the lads to be brave again against a team that are very effective at what they do but we couldn't keep hold of the ball.
"I've only been in the building nine days. Positives from today is we're unbeaten in two because that's what you have to look at.
"There's always things to learn from to move us forward."

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by Dave Flett, yorkpress.co.uk

JOHN McCOMBE believes York City will benefit from their first full week on the training ground under new manager Russ Wilcox.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/11563594.Five_days_training_with_no_distractions_for_York_City/?ref=mac

The 29-year-old defender has been impressed by the team's progress since Wilcox took the managerial reins, following Nigel Worthington's resignation, but feels the lack of a midweek fixture ahead of Saturday's trip to Cheltenham will give the players more opportunity to familiarise themselves with the ex-Scunthorpe chief's methods.

He said: "The new gaffer has a positive outlook on the team at the moment. He has implemented some new ideas and that's been seen in how we played at Morecambe and for a half against Mansfield.

"I think we have improved a bit recently. We've changed the way we play a little and are trying to get the ball down and pass it more.

"We did that for 90 minutes at Morecambe and we did it well for 45 against Mansfield and, if we can play like we did during that game-and-a-half, then going forward we should pick up more wins."

McCombe agreed with Wilcox's assessment of Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Mansfield, meanwhile, admitting that the team's second-half display fell short of the standards set in the first.

He added: "We deserved our lead at half-time and could have got two or three more goals. In the second half, against the wind, we didn't get hold of it and pass it.

"We just kept giving it back to them and they are quite a direct team, so they got the ball into our box enough to get a goal back."

Saturday's game meant the Minstermen have now gone ten matches without a victory at Bootham Crescent - the second-longest sequence in the club's history - but McCombe insisted the run has not made him feel more anxious in front of the club's fans.

"We haven't been winning games and have given a few leads away, so that can lead to a little bit of nervousness but I'm not too sure that was the case," he argued. "I just think we weren't brave enough on the ball in the the second half.

"We showed that when we did get it down and pass it, we cut them open and we even did that a couple of times in the second half when Diego (De Girolamo) got in and Coulo (Michael Coulson) curled one just wide. We had chances but we've got to take the positives out of the game.

"Apart from when they scored, I thought we defended well when the balls were coming into our box."

The ex-Port Vale defender was impressed by debutant goalkeeper Alex Cisak's contribution following his loan move from Burnley, saying: "He had only come in the day before and it was a tough game for his debut but he came in and commanded the box very well.

"He dealt with most things and, hopefully, the game will be something for him to build on."

McCombe went on to express his debt of gratitude to Worthington after the ex-City chief rescued him from the wilderness at Mansfield last January and made him a first-team regular at Bootham Crescent.

"I was sad to see Nigel Worthington go," McCombe confessed. "He was the manager that brought me here and resurrected my career when I was struggling at Mansfield, so I owe a lot to him."

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twitter and facebook:

Daniel Carr @Carr17Dan
Great team performance today and happy to score on my full debut, hopefully many more

Sascha Studer
Was the worst first half ive ever played..!dont know why..So i had to come in in the second half!yes its a pitty that we didnt win 3 points!Great performance from the lads in the second half

Liam Marsden @LiamMarsden94
Very unlucky not to get all 3 points today #stags

Jamie Sendles White @j_sendles_white
Deserved the 3 points today. Very good second half performance from us. Personally not my best but the boys did well. Fans were (mint hand sign) #stags

Adam Murray
Great support today , stuck with us. Shame we couldn't of took 3 points , loads of positives on to the next !!!!!!

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