Archived News from April 2002
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STUART WATKISS REACTION
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STUART WATKISS REACTION
We've had 75% of the play and controlled the game. But we've defended appallingly and we keep doing that. Too many times at set pieces this season, players have not picked up the players they're supposed to. The second goal the centre half should have dealt with the situation comfortably. Then we he lost it, the keeper was out of position to give their striker an easy finish. We have played well with the ball and we've created many chances. We've got to hold our breath now and see how Cheltenham get on on Tuesday night. I know what's costing us, and I will sort it out, but it may be too late for automatic promotion. The support was magnificent today. Hear the full interview from Radio Nottingham here --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/mtfc_interview.ram Hear the interview from Mansfield 103.2 here --> http://video.premiumtv.co.uk/mansfield/yorkinterview.asx ------- Teamtalk: Bad defending cost us - Watkiss Stuart Watkiss slammed his team's defending in yesterday's 3-1 defeat at York which looks to have cost The Stags automatic promotion. The Mansfield boss was disappointed to lose against The Minstermen after dominating for long periods of the game but admitted his team deserved to lose after a poor defensive display. Watkiss said: "We were in front, we hit the woodwork twice, we had a couple kicked off the line and we created so many chances. We had 75 per cent of the possession but if you defend like that you deserve nothing. "We all know I have a dressing room of talented individuals but I am not sure if I have a dressing room of winners. It's a thin dividing line and maybe we are a little short of it. "We give away too many soft goals, particularly from set pieces and we let ourselves down. "I know what is costing us and I will sort it out. Unfortunately it may be too late for automatic promotion now." He added: "The supporters turned up in their thousands to back us and we let them down. "Maybe I will have to get some other players in that can defend set pieces properly. "I know it is very hard practicing defending as other teams play different drills. But if players are earmarked to mark someone they have to make sure they don't get headers in and score goals - it's as simple as that." Now Mansfield have to hope Cheltenham come unstuck in their last two games while Watkiss's men have to beat Carlisle next Saturday. Cheltenham have a much better goal difference and are a point ahead, so can afford to draw at Carlisle on Tuesday and away at Plymouth next Saturday to pip the Stags. |
Latest | April 2002