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Archived News from January 2017

EVANS, GREEN AND GARY BOWYER REACTION
6th January 2017 15:52



Boss commends Stags' determination in Blackpool win
mansfieldtown.net, 2nd January 2017

Stags’ boss Steve Evans said he was pleased with how his side controlled the game during today’s 1-0 win away to Blackpool and prevented them from creating a clear-cut opportunity.

Striker Matt Green scored his second goal in three days to secure three away points for the Stags to cap off a hard-fought team display in the North West.

And the manager said he was glad with the application his team showed against a strong Blackpool outfit.

“Right up until the last minute of injury time, they don’t make a chance and that’s commendable to my players because Blackpool do make chances here against any side in the league,” the Stags’ boss said.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/evans-post-blackpool-3496602.aspx#AfrFrFiu44gvL2Jv.99

“They’ve got good players so we’ve edged out a tight-fought game but I thought in spells we controlled it and they 'huffed and puffed' a bit but I don’t think Jake Kean had a save to make and that probably tells you how good an away performance it was.

“We’ve come [here] today, we got a bit of good fortune with the goal, it gets a little deflection to take it past the ‘keeper but it may have gone in anyway because Matt’s hit it with some force.”

The former Leeds United chief praised the work-rate of top scorer Green and says his back-to-back goals were well-deserved for improving his quality of performance in recent weeks.

“Matt knew he was in danger of going out of the side, he knew that, I didn’t need to sit there and tell an experienced player who’s played a lot of Championship football that he’s in danger of going out.

“I’ve said to our supporters that when you sign a new player it doesn’t mean that you discard the old ones, you ask people to raise their game.

“I thought Matt covered every blade of grass at the One Call Stadium against Doncaster Rovers and I don’t think there’s anyone who covered more grass than him today and he gets his fitting rewards.”

The gaffer revealed post-match that despite signing the quartet of goalkeeper Jake Kean, midfielders Joel Byrom and Ben Whiteman and striker Yoann Arquin in last few days, his recruitment is ongoing as he works towards building a ‘football structure’ at the club.

“We’re going to try and sign some people. We’ve made some offers today, which is written cash offers for players in the [English] Football League, so they’ve gone in this morning.

“We’ve given clubs the respect of allowing those players not to be upset before the games in quick succession, finishing today, and we’ll see where they go.

“We’ll only pay and the chairman will only pay where I value them and where he agrees to pay, otherwise we won’t.

“We’ve put two decent offers in so we’ll see where they go, but we’re also trying to sign other players, of course, who won’t command a fee.

“We have a structure to build and that’s from the management team down to the players and staff. It’s nothing to do with the behind-the-scenes structure because I can say from [seeing] first hand, I’ve been in the club five or six weeks, this club is run impeccably under a great chairman.”

Supporters can view Steve Evans’ post-match interview on Stags PlayerHD.

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Steve Evans challenges Mansfield Town to build on Blackpool win
chad.co.uk

Delighted boss Steve Evans is challenging his Mansfield Town side to build on their win at Blackpool.

Matt Green hit his 11th goal of the campaign in the first half to seal an impressive 1-0 win.

Stags looked solid throughout as they limited Blackpool to few chances to claim their first win in six.

The win leaves Mansfield eight points off the play-off places with Steve Evans urging his side to cut the gap by building on the Bloomfield Road win.

“It’s a satisfying afternoon. It was going to be tough with having two games in three days,” said Evans.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/steve-evans-challenges-mansfield-town-to-build-on-blackpool-win-1-8314202

“We got luck with the goal today and got the win. Right up to the end of injury-time they didn’t have a chance and that is commendable to my players.

“We edged out a tight game and controlled the game in spells. Jake Kean hasn’t had a save to make and that shows what a good away performance it was.

“We have three points and hope and aspiration going into 2017. I was surprised how many travelled and the fans were fantastic

“It was wonderful to have that support and to give the fans a reward

“We have to built on this and not get too high. We are trying to build something very professional under John and Carloyn Radford.

“We are going to try and sign some people and have made two offers. We will see where they go. We have put two decent offers in.”

“We are trying to build something here and a structure at the club, that’s from management down to staff.”

Evans also had special praise for Matt Green and new loan signing Ben Whiteman. “Matt Green deserved his reward today,” added Evans.

“He was in danger of going out of the team, he knew that and he has raised his game and worked very hard He covered as much the grass today as anyone and got his reward. I’m pleased for all my players

“All the players played their part. Ben Whiteman had a great game and was outstanding from 15 minutes.

“His vision was outstanding and he has a good future. He has to build on it and we cannot get carried away.”

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Match-winner deflects praise on to team-mates
mansfieldtown.net, 2nd January 2017

Stags’ striker Matt Green scored his second goal in as many games to secure a win against Blackpool this afternoon, but highlighted the team’s collective commitment as crucial to the three points.

Steve Evans’ men showcased a hard-fought performance to begin the New Year in perfect fashion, as Green’s eleventh goal of the season on his 30th birthday proved to be the difference at Bloomfield Road.

Although he admitted that scoring the winning goal was the best birthday gift he could receive, it could not have come without his team-mates’ hearty effort and hard work.

Green said: “I’ll take that over every birthday present and Christmas present!

“[The] most important thing here today was a great performance from everyone. We had to dig in, with two games in two days - that’s really unforgiving on the body.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/green-post-blackpool-3496643.aspx#iRBk2Jb7L4y4qRPx.99

“But the gaffer said that there were no excuses for that and we are here to take the points and we dug in and gave the performance, he (Steve Evans) was happy with it.”

Today’s fixture against Blackpool also saw the manger handing debuts to his four latest signings, and Green had nothing but praise for today's strike partner Yoann Arquin.

“He is a class act. He is 6ft 2in, a big, strong lad and he’s got good feet.

“Yoann has come in, and he has not played for a while, but you can see the quality of the boy and it was a pleasure to play with him today.

“But you have got Patrick Hoban there, and Danny Rose came on as well - so, we are strong; the squad is looking a lot stronger now.”

The Stags played two games over the year-end in three days, and Green reasoned the encouraging results against league-leaders Doncaster Rovers, and today’s victory over the Seasiders, point to an upturn in form over the coming days and weeks.

“It’s been a good start and with the effort and the commitment from the lads over the last few days - the Christmas and the New Year as well - it is a small sacrifice when we get the points that we deserve.

“It’s been a tough Christmas period but I am glad to see the back of it now, and to take four points from two big clubs shows that we are in a process of heading in the right direction.”

Supporters will be able to view Matt Green's post-Blackpool interview on Stags PlayerHD soon.

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Matt Green marks 30th birthday with Stags’ winning goal
chad.co.uk

Mansfield Town striker Matt Green marked his 30th birthday with the winning goal at Blackpool in the 30th minute and said it was the best present he could have had. Green, whose two goals in three days have taken him to 11 for the season, also had praise for new strike partner Yoann Arquin who made his debut for the club and set up the deflected winner for Green.

“Age is nothing but a number, but I have hit that point. I still feel good and still have loads of energy,” smiled Green.

“I am still fit and managing to knock in the odd goal. I had a bit of luck today, but I will take that.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/matt-green-marks-30th-birthday-with-stags-winning-goal-1-8314966

“The most important thing was it was a great performance from everyone.

“We had to dig in. Two games in three days is really unforgiving on the body, but the gaffer said no excuses for that - we are here to take the points. So I think we dug in and gave a performance he was happy with.”

On the goal, he added: “That’s my job. Obviously ideally I’d like to score every game, but I perform in fits and starts like most strikers. Hopefully this could be a run now and I keep doing that for the team.

“I will take that (the winning goal) over every birthday present and Christmas present, though it was great to spend it with my family and close friends.

“I might be able to have a beer now, I don’t know, I’ll have to ask the gaffer first.

“It’s been a tough Christmas period and I am glad to see the back of it. To take four points from two big clubs shows we are in the process of hopefully moving forward now.”

On strike partner Arquin, Green said: “He is a class act as you could see.

“He is 6ft 2ins and a big strong lad with good feet, but you’ve got Patrick Hoban there and Danny Rose came on as well, so the squad is looking a lot stronger now.

“Yoann has come in and he’s not played for a while, but you could see the quality of the boy and it was a pleasure playing with him today.

“It’s been a good start and, with the effort of the lads these last few days and not having much of a Christmas and New Year, it’s a small sacrifice if we get the points we deserve.”

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Bowyer: Not Enough With The Ball
blackpoolfc.co.uk

Gary Bowyer felt Blackpool didn't do enough with the ball in the final third against Mansfield, as the team fell to a 1-0 defeat.

The Seasiders, uncharacteristically, fashioned very few chances in the contest, though there was little overall between the two sides.

Speaking post-match, here's what the manager had to say...

Lack of cutting edge.

I don't think there was a great deal in the game. I think we've had a lot of possession but not really hurt the opposition enough with the ball. That's the disappointing thing because that's not really been in our make-up. It's the first game this season where we've been like that, so overall it's one of the disappointment.

Read more at http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/bowyer-not-enough-with-the-ball-3496881.aspx#xKVhG3LQ14hkhm7f.99

Fresh changes but stronger impact from subs.

I totally agree. You give people opportunities and some haven't taken them. It's as simple as that.

Foul appeals on Mark Cullen and Jamille Matt.

I've not looked at them again but I thought the Jamille Matt one was certainly a big call. I've not seen them though so it would be wrong for me to comment.

Break without a league game. Two cup games next up.

When you've been beaten in the league you want one (a game) as soon as you can. Now obviously we've got to look forward to the wonderful cup tie that we have here against Barnsley. We're massively the underdog but we've got the opportunity to try and get some glory back.

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Blackpool fall but Bowyer’s not down
blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Gary Bowyer promised his Blackpool team won’t get too down over their defeat by Mansfield, despite acknowledging his side’s lack of creativity.

The Seasiders struggled to create clear-cut chances during the 1-0 home defeat which saw them drop to 10th in League Two.

It was Pool’s second consecutive defeat on home turf, following the 2-0 loss to Luton, but manager Bowyer insisted he’s not overly concerned.

The Pool boss said: “It’s probably one of the first times this season we haven’t created like we normally have.

“But I said when it seemed like we were scoring four every home game that we won’t get carried away, and we certainly won’t after today.

Read more at: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-fall-but-bowyer-s-not-down-1-8314401

“We lacked creativity but we’ll get back on the training ground and work very hard to get back to the standards we’ve set. No excuses.”

The game was decided by Matt Green’s first-half strike, which deflected in off unfortunate Pool skipper Danny Pugh.

Defender Clark Robertson gave the ball away in his own half in the build-up to the killer blow, but Bowyer said the goal summed up an ugly game of football.

He added: “I don’t think it was a pretty game from either side in terms of performances. It was a battle.

“I think we had over 50 per cent of possession but we’ve not hurt them enough with it.

“The goal probably summed up the game a little bit - it was an ugly, scrappy goal.

“The initial shot was going way wide but Pughy gets a deflection, which is disappointing from our point of view.

“We just haven’t done enough and we’ve been beaten by a scruffy, horrible goal.”

Pool’s only real chance came while the scores were still level, with right-back Kelvin Mellor seeing his header cleared off the line.

But once the Stags had secured the lead, they were content to sit back and frustrate the hosts as they completed a league double over Pool.

Bowyer said: “We were the better team before the goal in terms of having the ball and passing.

“Kelvin Mellor had one cleared off the line and Michael Cain has had a free-kick, which he normally scores in training.

“But once the goal goes in, I think you could have taken both goalkeepers off the pitch and not known any difference.

“It’s one we have to take on the chin and look forward to an exciting FA Cup tie against Barnsley on Saturday.”

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twitter

yoann @arquinyoann
First game first win and first assist for me well done lads !!!#Mansfieldtownfc#YA17 thks for all fan who made trip to blackpool !!

JAMIE MCGUIRE @JAMIEMCGUIRE23
Good start to 2017 love a away win ! Safe journey home to the fans @mansfieldtownfc

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Latest | January 2017