Archived News from February 2003
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GANNON REACTION
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IT'S COLD COMFORT FOR UNLUCKY STAGS
Evening Post, 05 February 2003 Mansfield assistant manager John Gannon was left to rue missed opportunities as the Stags had to be content with a goalless draw against Brentford last night. Stags dominated much of the play at Field Mill in a pitch that was almost entirely covered in snow, but they were unable to find the killer touch and had to be content with a point. With rivals Cheltenham and Huddersfield Town both winning, there are now just three points separating the bottom ten teams in Division Two and the point was not enough to drag the Stags out of the bottom four. Gannon said the icy conditions did cause both teams problems but Keith Curle's side just failed to find that final touch. He said: "Chances went begging and it is a little bit disappointing, but it hasn't been through any lack of effort or hard work. "We just didn't have that bit of luck to turn the ball into the net. It just didn't happen for us. "We wanted the game on because we thought it was one that was there for us to win. "Sometimes, I don't think the supporters realised how tricky the pitch was. "It was becoming more like a sheet of ice as the game went on and, understandably, there were mistakes with passes and one thing and another. It was just unfortunate that we didn't get the break." Stags made a change in midfield by bringing in Lee Williamson and putting Craig Disley on the bench. Curle has also managed to bring Adam Eaton back to Field Mill on a further month's loan from Division One Preston. He played at left-back and Ben Doane moved to right-back with Bobby Hassell on the bench. Gannon said: "We just thought we would freshen things up with a change in personnel. Disley has done a solid job. "But Lee has been champing at the bit to play. His attitude has been wonderful and his training excellent, but we just thought, with so many games in such a short space of time, it would do the team good. "Adam continued from where he left off and put in a good performance and to take a clean sheet out of the game is a very positive step. "It's another month's loan and who knows where it will lead to. Adam would say that he is very happy here and you can see that in his play. "The back four put in the sort of dogged performance we asked of them after the weekend's defeat at Plymouth. "The individual mistakes were not there. "At the other end, when Junior had the shot, the ball just bounced over Lee's foot when he was there to score the goal. You just can't account for things like that. Colchester United say they are unlikely to name a new manager for Town's visit on February 14. Former Stags boss Steve Parkin is one of the names in the frame. |
Latest | February 2003