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Archived News from November 2015

MURRAY, COLLINS, DAVID DUNN REACTION
11th November 2015 17:58


Boss pleased with dominant display
mansfieldtown.net, 7th November 2015

Stags’ boss Adam Murray says 'the end product will come' after seeing his side held to a 0-0 draw at home to Oldham Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup first round folowing a dominant display.

Murray, who described his side as 'excellent' throughout the game, said that the Stags need to get the rub of the green in front of goal.

“We’ve been working all week on our final third play and we saw, again, a lot of crosses going into the final third - we need one to go in off someone’s backside at the minute!

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/murray-craving-that-bit-if-luck-to-go-stags-way-2789804.aspx#CApxdWjbIYrsjE1H.99

“I thought we dominated the game, we played at the right tempo and our intensity with and without the ball was superb. Some of our play, at times, was top drawer and we did everything but score,” said Murray.

With the scores being level with 90 minutes elapsed this afternoon, the Stags travel to The SportsDirect.com Park on Tuesday 17 November for the replay and Murray is adamant that victories will follow if they keep putting in performances like this afternoon’s.

“[I was] really chuffed with our performance today and we missed that end product, but it will come. What we have to do is keep our standards."

Murray continued: “We’re in a good place; defensively we look good and attacking-wise we’re creating chances and we’ve just got to finish them.

“If we weren’t creating chances then I’d probably say we need to change something but we’re getting in great areas, we’re having some great link-up play and we just need that cutting edge and that rub of the green.”

The gaffer was pleased with how his Stags’ side matched up against their League One counterparts, and says nothing should be taken away the performance.

“They’re a good team. Like I said before the game, their league position lies. They play some very good stuff and they 'took Burton last week to the cleaners' and Burton are top of League One.

“The difference between League One and League Two is huge. You think when we went to Notts County [then in League One] in the cup game [Johnstone’s Paint Trophy] last year, the gulf then was shown massively and the difference between the two divisions is big.

“They’re a very good team so to dominate them for large periods, I’m happy.”

Returning to league matters next week against Northampton Town, Murray is looking forward to a tie which he describes as a ‘play-off buster’.

“We’re playing the team that’s right next to us and I said earlier in the week in press that we’re in the mixer with some big boys."

You can watch Murray's interview, in full, on Stags Player.

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Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray delighted with display in cup draw with Oldham
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray was full of praise for his side after they bossed the home 0-0 FA Cup first round tie with League One Oldham Athletic, but just failed to find a winner.

Stags were the best side and had two efforts cleared off the line while Reggie Lambe missed a sitter and Murray said: “I though we were excellent today and we dominated the game.

“We played at the right tempo and intensity with or without the ball.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-boss-adam-murray-delighted-with-display-in-cup-draw-with-oldham-1-7558922#ixzz3qqNSCB1B

“Some of our play at times was top drawer and we did everything but score.

“If we play that week in week out in our bread and butter we will win a lot more than we lose.”

On Lambe’s chance, he said: “It should have been in. Reggie should have scored and nine times out of 10 he does We’ve been working all week on our final third play and today again we’ve seen a lot of crosses going into the box and into the final third, but we just need something to go in off someone’s backside at the minute.

“I was really chuffed with the performance today, even though we missed that end product. It will come. We just have to keep our standards.”

Murray found it ironic that his side had played some great possession football against Oldham but had taken some stick from some members of the crowd over not getting it into the box quicker.

“I found it interesting today at times as we kept the ball and, over the last few years here, we’ve been angry because we don’t keep the ball,” he smiled.

“Today there were people trying to get us to get it into the box as fast as we can, which is confusing. But we have a way of playing and we will stick to that, though sometimes we need to be quicker in the pace of our build-up.

“Our keeper has had one save to make and that says it all. Fifty per cent of the games we’ve lose, which is two League games, the opposition goalkeeper has been man of the match. So we are in a good place.

“We just need that cutting edge and that rub of the green.”

Murray added: “Oldham are a good team. As I said before the game their League position lies. They play some great stuff and are not having the rub of the green. So to dominate them for large periods was pleasing.

“I didn’t ever think we were going to lose the game, it was more about how we were going to win it.

“It’s rubbish to say they are only 11 places higher than us as the difference between League One and League Two is huge. It’s a massive gulf.”

Stags now face a replay at Boundary Park a week on Tuesday as the sides replay in this competition for the second time in three seasons.

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Collins feels Stags deserved more from cup tie
mansfieldtown.net

Defender Lee Collins felt Mansfield Town deserved more in their Emirates FA Cup first round 0-0 draw against Oldham Athletic this afternoon.

The defender performed admirably alongside fellow centre-back Ryan Tafazolli and full-backs Nicky Hunt and Blair Adams to record a third clean sheet in four matches in all competitions.

Despite needing to be on his guard against the League One outfit’s attacking arsenal which included ex-Premier League striker Ricardo Fuller, Collins firmly believes the Stags had enough dangerous play to come away with the victory.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/collins-feels-stags-deserved-more-from-cup-tie-2789902.aspx#Ml3mK0M6ABI7GuJb.99

“Don’t get me wrong, they had a couple of good chances but we had a handful of decent chances but I’m not going to criticise the lads for missing, because they’re quality - I can’t really knock them, it just didn’t happen.

“I think it’s probably our best performance for a while, we’ve had some really good games like Portsmouth away recently. We really bossed that game.”

Collins was also keen to praise the options available to Adam Murray in the backline, and declared his satisfaction at the way the manager has handled the players in situations along the season so far.

“Taf’s (Ryan Tafazolli) been there all season and has been solid, we’ve got Pearcey (Krystian Pearce) on the sidelines as well who’s keeping us on our toes. There’s competition for places, you can’t take it for granted and it’s down to the manager to keep us reined in.

“He’s [Murray] brilliant, [his] man management, he knows how to get each and every player motivated. After a loss, some lads like a kick up the backside, some lads need a bit more of an arm around them and he balances it right.”

Mansfield are back in Sky Bet League Two action next week when they travel to face crisis-club Northampton Town at Sixfields - the Cobblers are Collins’ former side, and the Telford-born man was sympathetic towards them in their troubles.

“I’ve had this date on my calendar since the start of the season, I’ve still got a lot of love for the club, they’re in a bit of a pickle financially which I hope they get out of. It’s not pretty, the staff there, the players and the fans deserve better.

“I don’t know what’s gone on so I can’t really express my opinion, something’s not right, I just hope it gets fixed - but obviously I’m a Mansfield player now and I’m going there with three points on my mind.”

You can see more from Collins on Stags Player.

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Mansfield Town star Lee Collins anxious over future of former club Northampton Town
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

After picking up his man of the match award, Mansfield Town defender Lee Collins began to prepare for a trip back to his former club Northampton Town with a heavy heart.

Stags drew 0-0 at home to Oldham Athletic in yesterday’s FA Cup first round clash at one Call Stadium with Collins superb alongside Ryan Tafazolli in the heart of defence.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-star-lee-collins-anxious-over-future-of-former-club-northampton-town-1-7559029#ixzz3qtAmjFEg

But before the Boundary Park replay on Tuesday week Collins will head back to crisis club Northampton for what could be their last ever game unless they can escape a winding up petition over their finances.

“I’ve had this date on my calendar from the start of the season,” he said.

“I’ve got a lot of love for the club. They’re in a bit of a pickle financially which I hope they get out of, but obviously I am a Mansfield player now and I am going there with three points on my mind.

“It is not pretty as the staff, the players, everyone there, the fans, deserve better. I don’t know what’s gone on so I can’t really express my opinion. Something’s not right and I hope it gets fixed for them.”

Mansfield had the better chances against Oldham in yesterday’s exciting tie and Collins said: “We definitely deserved more then that.

“Don’t get me wrong, they had a couple of decent chances but on the whole we had a handful of good chances. I can’t criticise the lads for missing as they have been quality - any other day and it’s a goal.

“I think that was probably our best performance for a while, and we’ve had some really good games recently like Portsmouth away.

“We really bossed that game today.”

With Krystian Pearce now having completed a four-game ban, manager Adam Murray has a headache over which two of his centre halves to pick next weekend.

“Taff has been there all season and been solid, and we’ve got Pearcy on the sidelines as well who is keeping us on our toes,” said Collins.

“There is competition for places and you can’t take it for granted. It’s down to the manager now.”

Murray had to try to pick up his players after the cup tie as they all knew they should have won it and Collins added: “He is brilliant with his man management. He knows how to get each and every player motivated, especially after a loss.

“Some lads need a kick up the backside and some need more of an arm round them. He balances it right. I need a punch!”

Stags now go into tomorrow night’s second round draw and Collins said: “I’ve no preferences. I’d like a home tie, that’s probably as far as I would go.”

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Oldham boss David Dunn relievd to be in FA Cup hat after Mansfield Town draw
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Oldham Athletic boss David Dunn was just relieved to see his injury-hit League One strugglers escape from Mansfield Town with a replay after yesterday’s 0-0 first round draw at One Call Stadium.

He said: “We weren’t good enough with the ball. We have to be better when we are in possession. But we are in the hat for the next round, so that is not too bad.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/oldham-boss-david-dunn-relievd-to-be-in-fa-cup-hat-after-mansfield-town-draw-1-7559027#ixzz3qtAg3W3G

“The lads worked really hard and kept going until the end.

“With the injuries and suspensions we have picked up recently we had to shuffle the pack, which wasn’t ideal coming to a team that is flying in their league.

“Without making excuses we are probably short of four, five or six players who would be starting.

“Brian Wilson was arguably the best player on the pitch and Tim Dieng coming in at centre back after not playing a lot of football was fantastic as well.”

He added: “We worked hard in difficult conditions in a strong wind, but it wasn’t the most entertaining game.

“Ricardo Fuller is disappointed he didn’t hit the target, but we will go again, back in the league. Three home games in 10 days will give us a chance to improve our home form.”

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Latest | November 2015