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Archived News from November 2015

MURRAY AND GARETH AINSWORTH REACTION
5th November 2015 17:12


Murray: Wycombe loss is 'wake-up call'
mansfieldtown.net, 31st October 2015

Stags’ manager Adam Murray feels the 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon was a ‘wake-up call’ for his players.

A goal in each half from Luke O’Nien and Aaron Amadi-Holloway consigned the Stags to only their second league defeat at One Call Stadium this season, meaning they dropped a place to sixth in Sky Bet League Two.

Speaking after the match, Murray said: “After about an hour there was a massive bang that went around the ground, and it was Mansfield Town coming back down to earth. I’m not wondering why we didn’t get anything because we looked like a team today that had got carried away with themselves.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/murray-wycombe-loss-is-wake-up-call-2776189.aspx#z2w0sCv8rOHSzEh5.99

“The boys have been superb this season so far but today was a wake-up call. With the ball, it looked like we hated it and wanted to get rid of it. We huffed and puffed, had a lot of control of possession but didn’t really do anything. [We had] A lot of crosses going into the box, but it didn’t look like we would score today which hasn’t been like us.

“[It was] a bad day at the office, but sometimes you have to have these games to grounded and get your focus back - that’s what will happen. We’ll learn from it. If you don’t do what we set out to do to achieve three points, then you lose football matches.”

Murray felt his side lacked a ruthless edge this afternoon, despite dominating possession.

“The goal was poor, if you’re going to give away poor goals like that it doesn’t matter what your defensive record is, it’ll lose you games. That’s not just the back four, that’s all around the pitch. There wasn’t that ruthlessness about us today that there’s been in recent weeks - we’ve got to set the tempo and we didn’t today.

“Teams have these games. When you’re consistently getting all the plaudits and everyone wants to say ‘well done’ to you, as footballers sometimes it’s easy to take your foot off the mettle. Apart from the first
goal I never felt we were under threat."

After consecutive clean sheets in the previous two games against Yeovil and Portsmouth, Murray thinks the loss will test the character of his players looking ahead to the future.

“It’s important now how we react. We’re brilliant when we’re getting the pats on the back and the plaudits, but when things don’t go our way, this is the important time - anyone can take the plaudits, it’s about when you take one on the chin and how you bounce back.

“I know they’ll take this as a learning curve. We’ll build from it, but we have to be better than that. Even though we were getting on the ball in good areas, there was no spark, we lacked that bit of x-factor.”

The game against Wycombe marked Murray’s 50th game in charge of the Stags since taking charge last season, and he was positive in summary of his spell so far.

“I’ve enjoyed it - not the way I would’ve liked to finish my 50th game, but this is football. The greatest thing about this football club this season is that we have optimism balanced with realism, we know where we’ve come from.

“We’re not going to win the league by 20 points but we will progress, these are the times now we need to keep that focus and get back on track.”

Adam Murrray's interview is available in full to watch on Stags Player.

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REACTION: Murray: We must learn from defeat
chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill

Adam Murray admits Mansfield Town must learn from their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers.

Promotion-chasing Stags slipped to their second straight home defeat after goals from Luke O’Nien and Aaron Amadi-Holloway sealed an impressive win for Wycombe.

Murray said: “This result has brought us down to earth and we must treat this as a learning curve now.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/reaction-murray-we-must-learn-from-defeat-1-7546336

“We have been very impressive in the early part of the season, but results like this happen and we must bounce back from it.

“We did not do anything in the first half and looked the ball was harming us.

“It was a very sloppy goal to give away today and when you give goals away like that you are always on the back foot.

“Apart from their first goal, I did not feel like we were under any threat.

“We got crosses in and got into decent positions, but did not make the most of them.

“We lacked a spark today, we made the changes at half time to find that spark, but it just did not happen for us

“There was a lack of ruthlessness today. I am disappointed, but I have no qualms about the results.

“If you think you can just turn up and win then good luck. We have got where we are this season by earning the right to win. Three points have to be earned.

“The players have been fantastic so far and this is something that they will learn from.”

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Gareth Ainsworth thanks travelling Wycombe Wanderers fans after win against Mainsfield
bucksfreepress.co.uk, by Harry Gray

Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth has hailed the travelling Wycombe Wanderers fans after his side’s 2-0 away win against Mansfield Town.

Goals from Luke O’Nien and Aaron Amadi-Holloway secured the win that sees Wanderers move just three points off third place in League Two.

The win also brought a run of five games in a row without a win to an end and Ainsworth believes the fans’ support helped lift his team.

“I had to go to the fans because they never stopped singing and I am sure the Mansfield fans will agree they were fantastic,” Ainsworth said after celebrating with the 345 strong travelling support.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/13928480.Ainsworth_praises_fans_after_win_at_Mansfield/?

“After three league games without a win it is tough sometimes. I give my all and people are very quick to jump on you when things aren’t going well but the fans were brilliant today.”

After taking the lead in the eighth minute through O’Nien’s diving header the Chairboys had to withstand some pressure.

Matt Ingram produced a string of fine saves, in particular when he clawed away a goal-bound header early in the second half, to maintain the visitors lead.

Amadi-Holloway then sealed the result in injury time as he volleyed home from inside the penalty area.

The performance was much improved from recent displays that have seen Wycombe struggle to both convert chances or maintain a clean sheet.

Both these areas were addressed and Ainsworth was eager to praise the quality of a display to which he felt every player contributed.

“I can’t pick a man of the match because to a man they were back to the Wycombe that we had last year,” he explained.

“We had the never say die attitude and an energy that you wouldn’t believe.

“All I wanted to do is get back to winning ways, and do things the way we normally do and with those fans behind you there was no way we couldn’t do that.”

O’Nien had passed a late fitness test before taking to the field to offer his match changing contribution.

He played through the pain of a dead leg and the 20-year-old showed the sort of sacrifice that will be vital if Ainsworth is to get the best from his small squad.

The manager went to lengths to highlight the commitment his players put in, with Sam Wood and Michael Harriman receiving particular praise for their tireless running.

With the prolonged period of bad form now seemingly behind Wycombe - they have taken four points from their last two games - focus now turns to a potentially tricky FA Cup first round tie with Halifax Town next Sunday.

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Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth praises workrate of side after win at Mansfield Town
chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth praised the workrate of his side after today’s 2-0 win at Mansfield Town.

Goals from Luke O’Nien and Aaron Amadi-Holloway gave Ainsworth his first win as a manager at Mansfield Town and earned Wanderers their first win in five.

Wycombe went ahead against the run of play after just eight minutes and then mounted a determined defensive effort to shut Stags out.

Stags had a number of half chances throughout but were unable to break down a rock-solid and beat Matt Ingham in the visiting goal.

A delighted Ainsworth said: “I had to go to the fans at the final whistle because they never stopped singing all game. The fans were superb and played a huge part in the win.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/wycombe-wanderers-boss-gareth-ainsworth-praises-workrate-of-side-after-win-at-mansfield-town-1-7546407

“On the back of three defeats and the draw last week it was tough. We give our absolute all and people are very active and quick to jump on you when you have lost games.

“But today to win like that was great. The fans were brilliant and I need more like that. I thank them very much.

“I can’t pick a man of the match for us because they were all back to what we are - the Wycombe we had last season, a never-say-die attitude and full of energy.

“We knew Mansfield’s threat would come from their forwards and full backs and we worked on that. It showed with Michael Harriman and Sam Wood running on empty at the end.

“I’m so pleased for the boys. Luke O’Nien only past a fitness test before the kick-off after a nasty dead leg in training and he has opened the score for us.

“We stopped Mansfield playing through our resilience and limited their chances.”

It was a frustrating day for Stags who had started brightly with Adam Chapman and Matt Green going close in the opening minutes.

Craig Westcarr, Blair Adams and Reggie Lambe all wasted further first half chances for Mansfield.

Ingram saved well from Lee Collins a minute after the restart, before Sam Wood and Garry Thompson wasted good chances on the break.

Adi Yussuf tamely fired straight at Ingram, before Green shot high and wide as Mansfield wasted more chances.

The inspired Ingram then pulled off two more fine saves in the closing stages to deny Nathan Thomas.

Amadi-Holloway cooly doubled Wycombe’s lead in stoppage time after a pin-point pass by Matt Bloomfield.

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Latest | November 2015