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Archived News from August 2016

MURRAY, MITCH ROSE AND GARY JOHNSON REACTION
18th August 2016 0:15



Murray pleased with side's start to the season
mansfieldtown.net, 13th August 2016

Stags’ boss Adam Murray says there's more to come from side after seeing them pick up four points from their opening two games.

Murray’s men were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Cheltenham Town today after midfielder Mitchell Rose’s opener was cancelled out by an incredible 35-yard strike from Robins’ defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy.

And the manager says although his side were pegged back by a ‘wonder-strike’ at One Call Stadium today, they’ll build on the performance as they get ready to welcome Yeovil Town on Tuesday evening.

“For 99 percent of the time we defended their threat very well. It’s a wonder-strike that’s cost us three points but overall, we’ll build on that. We’ll take that into Tuesday, it’s another game that we’ve not been beaten and we’ll move on,” Murray said.

“It’s the second league game of the season so do we want to be at full throttle now? No we don’t because there’s 10 months to go.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/murray-pleased-with-sides-start-to-the-season-3246134.aspx#AcVlze1mlAXzqtxm.99

“Two games in, can we expect to be 10 out of 10? Of course we can’t. Would we like to? Of course we would but to not be beaten yet and to be sitting fifth in the league, I’m sure there’s a lot of teams in the country that would take our place at the minute.

“[There’s] loads to come from us, loads and loads to come from us; it does look, at times, that we are still finding our feet and our rhythm with each other.”

Although O’Shaughnessy’s goal will undoubtedly grab the headlines, Murray praised the quality of Mitchell Rose’s opener and his performance in general.

“I thought again he had another really good game. He played well [on] Tuesday, I thought he did well last Saturday and his performance was good again today. He’s a young lad who’s still learning his trade, there’s still loads he can get better at but he’s coming on nicely.

“I think if we can get the seven out of ten performances up to eight and nines, that’s us moving up to the next level."

Stags are one of nine teams on four points after two games in Sky Bet League Two and the manager says the division will be ‘relentless’ in this season’s battle for supremacy.

“It’s going to be the team that can get that consistency, the team, and we keep saying it, when you’re not at your best, when you’re having ‘one of them games’, don’t get beat because it’s going to be that close this season.

“There’s probably 15/16 teams that could get into the play-offs, so it’s the team that can grind games out when they’re not at their best that’s going to ultimately grab those spots.”

Supporters can view Adam Murray’s post-match interview on Stags PlayerHD.

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Adam Murray frustrated as Mansfield Town held by Cheltenham Town
by John Lomas, chad.co.uk, Saturday 13 August 2016

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray said today’s 1-1 home draw with Cheltenham Town had been the most frustrating game since he’d been in charge.

The Stags looked to have a scrappy game won with Mitch Rose’s 49th minute finish, but Stags were rocked by an 80th minute 30-yard wonder strike by Daniel O’Shaughnessy.

“It was exactly what we expected - a very scrappy and bitty game. There wasn’t much quality in the game,” said Murray.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/adam-murray-frustrated-as-mansfield-town-held-by-cheltenham-town-1-8067954

“It was very stop-start. The officials stopped it at times when they didn’t need to, and there was no rhythm to the game.

“As staff we were just saying it was the most frustrating game we’ve ever been involved with. I thought we had more than enough in attack to go and win it.

“We knew we’d face direct balls, set pieces and long throws. But the ironic thing is that the lad who takes the long throws, we were worried about his throw, but he’s gone and put one in the top corner with his left foot from 78 yards!

“I think we could have done a lot more about it but it was a great strike and couldn’t have gone in any other place. I think he’s come forward with it too easy but, give him his due, it’s a hell of a strike.

“I think our goal was excellent as well.”

Murray added: “It’s frustrating but I think we’ve moved up a place and we’ve not got beat. Four points out of six - there is loads and loads more to come from us.

“It does look at times as if we are still finding out feet and rhythm with each other.

“I think we needed to show more composure and put our hold on the game. We tried to play without any real purpose and second half got pinned in a bit with the wind and couldn’t get out.

“When you are playing against a team like that does put you under pressure, you have to defend your box and I felt we did for 99 per cent of the time.

“We defended their threat very well and it’s a wonder goal that’s cost us three points.

“We knew this would be tough just because of the momentum they’ve got - the way they play. They hunt you down and don’t allow you to settle. And every opportunity it goes into the box.

“Fair play to them. It’s effective and before the game they have a champions’ mindset which you can’t buy.”

Murray was also frustrated by some isolated boos from the stands at the end of what hadn’t been a bad performance from the Stags.

He said: “It’s the second league game of the season so do we want to be at full throttle now? No we don’t. There’s 10 months to go

“Again the final whistle goes and there are probably only one or two but you still hear stupid boos. I’ve been here 28 years now and they’re still doing the same thing - it’s a bit embarrassing.

“To be unbeaten and sitting fifth in the league after two games I am sure there’s a lot of teams in this country that would take out place at the minute.”

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Team mates are improving my game - Rose
mansfieldtown.net, 13th August 2016

Midfielder Mitchell Rose poured credit onto his team mates as well as manager Adam Murray for improving him every day in training.

The 22-year-old has netted two goals in as many games for the Stags this season, scoring in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup match at home to Blackburn, as well as netting in today’s 1-1 draw against Cheltenham at One Call Stadium.

Rose has already equalled his tally from last season and is aiming further goals this term.

“There’s a target which I set before the start of the year that I need to add goals to my game. I have to keep building on that,” said Rose.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/team-mates-are-improving-my-game-rose-3246128.aspx#9p6LKY3KFKPSPvcO.99

“To be able to get on the scoresheet, but most importantly get four points out of six [was pleasing]. We’ve started the season well as a team and we just have to keep going.”

Rose placed the ball home from ten yards after brilliant set up play by striker Matt Green.

“When he plays like that, he’s unstoppable,” said Rose. “To beat two players with his pace and power and for him to pick me out and set me up was exceptional from him."

And equal praise was directed towards his team mates who he says are improving him as a player.

“These guys are pushing me to be better everyday and hopefully I can just keep getting goals. They’re pushing me to my limits, keeping me on my toes.

“You see the strength and depth which we have in the team, I have to make sure I can’t get complacent or fall short.

“The manager is pushing me every single day to be better. I have to make sure I keep pushing myself.”

Despite his joy for the goal, Rose admits he could have helped prevent Cheltenham's 80th minute leveller.

"I have to take a bit of responsibility for their equaliser, I should have done better in closing him down. Fair play, he’s hit it from 30-35 yards."

"But we’d have taken four points from six [at the start of the season] and we have to keep building," he added.

Mitchell Rose's interview is available to watch in full on Stags PlayerHD

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Mitch Rose determined to get better after latest Mansfield Town goal
by John Lomas, chad.co.uk, Saturday 13 August 2016

Mitch Rose was Mansfield Town’s goal hero in the 1-1 home draw with Cheltenham Town, but also took some responsibility for the Robins’ late equaliser.

Rose had fired Stags ahead on 49 minutes after great work from Matt Green - his second goal in as many games.

But Rose felt he should have closed down Finnish international Daniel O’Shaughnessy before he launched a shock 30 yard blast past Scott Shearer 10 minutes from time.

“I have go to take a bit of responsibility for their equaliser,” he said.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/mitch-rose-determined-to-get-better-after-latest-mansfield-town-goal-1-8067956#comments-area

“I should have done better in closing him down. Fair play to him, he’s hit it from 30-35 yards and found the top corner.

“The only way they looked like scoring was from a set piece or a wonder goal and someone has done that today.

“But to get four out of six points, we’d have taken that from the start of the season.”

Rose added: “I was pleased to be able to get onto the scoresheet. We have started the season well as a team and we have just got to keep going.”

After scoring he raced straight to the same area of the ground as after scoring against Blackburn in midweek and said:

“My missus and little boy used to sit on the front row but they’ve moved into the stand to sit with my dad so I wanted to celebrate with them.”

Rose had praise for Green’s involvement in his goal after he turned and slipped between two defenders.

“When he plays like that he is unstoppable,” said Rose. “He showed pace and power and then to pick me out and then set me up like he did was exceptional from him.”

Rose has already equalled his goals tally from last season.

“I said I needed to add goals to my game this season, and to equal what I got last year in two games I just have to keep building on that,” he smiled.

“More importantly these guys are pushing me to be better every day.

“I feel I am a better player now. The players are pushing me to my limits and keeping me on my toes. You’ve seen the strength in depth we have in the team, so I know I can’t fall short or get complacent.

“The manager is always pushing me to be better, so I have just got to keep making sure I put in the performances on a Saturday.”

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It is going to be a good season, I can promise the fans that, says Cheltenham Town boss
By James Young, August 13, 2016, gloucestershirelive.co.uk

It is going to be a good season, I can promise the fans that - was the rabble rousing cry from Gary Johnson after he saw his side dig in to earn a point at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

How you gauge the Robins unbeaten, albeit winless, start to the League Two season very much depends on whether you are a glass half full, or half empty person.

Two battling performances that have rescued points against both Leyton Orient and the Stags have seen the Robins shine in patches and struggle in others.

But despite being short of five first team regulars, the Robins have gone toe to toe with both of their opponents and deserved something from the games.

"To draw our second league game is by no means a disaster," Johnson said.

Read more at http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/watch-it-is-going-to-be-a-good-season-i-can-promise-the-fans-that-says-cheltenham-town-boss/story-29616336-detail/story.html?#xQ8boy4JkZO2zyyE.99

"We have shown character in both games but even though we drew 1-1 away from home the boys are quite disappointed and that tells you a lot about the group.

"We have a tough trip to Carlisle on Tuesday. The supporters were fantastic at Mansfield, they were great and gave us that bit of impetus to go and get the equaliser.

"If the ones that are going up to Carlisle could bring a megaphone and keep us going that would be lovely.

"The boys responded to the fans at the end of the game. It's going to be a good season, I promise the fans that. Win, lose or draw they have a group of boys that are going to give them effort."

Key to getting back into the game at Mansfield was Johnson's decision to make changes from the limited options available to him from the bench.

After a poor start to the second half, he switched to a 3-5-2 formation and it had an immediate positive effect.

It freed Dan O'Shaughnessy to go on the meandering run and shoot for his stunning leveller and that led to a spell at the end of the game where the visitors were the more likely winners.

Johnson admitted that he is pondering starting with that system at Carlisle - where he could be without Dan Holman due to injury.

The striker has been struggling with a foot injury and left Mansfield hobbling and walking with the aid of crutches and he could join the other five absentees on the sidelines.

"We need the players we've got out to come back. Dan Holman has a foot injury and had to stay on. We needed him to stay on," Johnson added.

"I am pondering changing to the 3-5-2. I have a squad that can move in to that system when we need to. Our wingers were magnificent against Charlton but not as good on Saturday.

"Whenever we see our pattern and shape like we did against Charlton. That's what we're looking for and we didn't quite see that on Saturday.

"It was a battle of a game and we know that we are up for the battle. What we need to do is try and bring our quality out a bit more.

"But the only thing we should really be talking about is Dan's goal, it was the one bit of quality in the game.

"We said in the dressing room before the game to all the lads that if you've got something don't be afraid to show it.

"It appears he's kept that a secret along with his long throw. It was a fantastic strike and got us back in the game, from there we were the only side that was going to win it."

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Latest | August 2016