Archived News from August 2021
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CLOUGH, McLAUGHLIN, FRANKIE McAVOY REACTION
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Manager left pleased by areas of performance
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 10th August 2021 Boss Nigel Clough has said that although the Stags are ‘bitterly disappointed’ with the first two goals conceded against Preston North End tonight, he was left pleased by some ‘very good’ moments from his players. Clinical finishing saw the visitors from Deepdale book their place in the Carabao Cup second round, but the Stags did match their Championship counterparts for large periods of the game. The manager says that Preston’s first two goals were ‘avoidable.’ https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/august/nigel-clough-post-preston/ “I actually thought we played better than we did on Saturday at times,” he told iFollow Stags. “It was just that final ball. We’re bitterly disappointed with the first two goals we conceded. “Both [of Preston’s first two goals] were avoidable and both came from mistakes. That’s what changed the game. “The goal in the 46th minute, we’re 0-0 and had been on top. We didn’t work their goalkeeper enough then gave a soft goal away. “You can’t afford to give Championship sides with ex-Premier League players those types of opportunities. “I thought up until the second goal, we were more than in it [game]. There was a lack of quality from us [for the Preston goals]. “But I thought some of our stuff tonight was very good indeed. Despite Oli Hawkins and Danny Johnson being on the bench, we picked a team to win the game, and I thought we had enough out there to do that.” The boss added that his side have learned a lesson from this evening’s 3-0 defeat. “It doesn’t matter what opposition you play against, if you make mistakes and give goals away, we can’t win games,” he explained. “We conceded one on Saturday which was a wonder strike, and you can’t do anything about that. “The first two goals [tonight] were more than avoidable from our point of view. We can’t give goals away, because we won’t win.” Nigel Clough made four changes for Tuesday evening’s encounter, and spoke of his team selection following the game. “[With] James Perch, we can’t risk him. Purely and simply he’s our best centre-half, and we’re short in that area anyway. “I thought Stephen McLaughlin was excellent going back there [centre-back]. Stephen Quinn got a couple of knocks, so we didn’t want to risk him. “The two strikers played 100 minutes on Saturday [against Bristol Rovers]. We got fresh legs up there and wanted to go with pace. Rhys Oates caused problems all night. “I was pleased with them [Ryan Burke and Ryan Stirk on full debuts]. I thought Ryan Burke was perhaps a bit nervous, as he didn’t show the quality that he has done over the last few weeks in pre-season. “He’ll be better for getting that one out of the way. He showed some good things, but he has to relax a bit more.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later this evening. ------------------- Manager Nigel Clough disappointed with costly Mansfield Town errors in Carabao Cup exit to Preston. chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 10th August 2021 Despite a decent display against Championship opposition, Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough was left lamenting errors that cost two goals and Carabao Cup progress in tonight's 3-0 first round home defeat by Preston North End. “I actually thought we played better than Saturday at times tonight - it was just that final ball,” he said. “But I was bitterly disappointed with the first two goals we conceded as both were avoidable from double mistakes and that's what changed the game. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/manager-nigel-clough-disappointed-with-costly-mansfield-town-errors-in-carabao-cup-exit-to-preston-3341534 “Especially the first goal with 46 minutes gone as it was 0-0 and we'd been on top, had 10-12 shots thought not worked their goalkeeper enough, then we went and gave a soft goal away. “You can't afford to give Championship sides with ex-Premier League players that sort of opportunity.” He added: “Up until the second goal we were more than in it. “But it was their quality and our lack of quality that proved the difference. “We picked a team to win the game and I thought we had more than enough out there to do that tonight. “But, whatever opposition you play, if you give goals away like those you can't win games.” -------------------------- Stephen McLaughlin shines for Mansfield Town in new role as centre half in Preston defeat chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 10th August 2021 One of the biggest positives out of Mansfield Town's 3-0 home Carabao Cup defeat by Preston North End tonight was a man of the match display by Stephen McLaughlin in an unaccustomed central defensive role. “The manner we conceded the first two goals was disappointing against a team like that as they punish you,” he said. “But overall I think we played well. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/stephen-mclaughlin-shines-for-mansfield-town-in-new-role-as-centre-half-in-preston-defeat-3341540?fbclid=IwAR3g_SURO3Dhsb4DySS0omR4q7A35Xl5xxGv1j9KYJcPEx22PVSYl7-yJJA “It was a defeat but we have to take the positives. “I will play anywhere as the gaffer knows but it was my first time playing there. “I quite enjoyed it. Everything is in front of you. “There is a lot of talking and organising which I don't mind. I was quite happy there, though disappointed we conceded three goals.” As one of the more senior players in the side, McLaughlin said he wanted to help the players around him. “I have good experience now and like to help others along,” he said. “No one means to make a mistake and you have to keep encouraging them. “We made good chances and looked like we were the team that were going to score before some sloppy play in midfield let them in.” He added: “This is the best changing room I have been involved in. Everyone is together. It doesn't matter who comes in. “That will stand us in good stead. We will pick up injuries and you know you can trust the lad coming on to play. I am really excited for the season.” -------------------- Preston North End head coach Frankie McAvoy salutes 'miles better' second half in Carabao Cup victory over Mansfield Town. Lancashire Evening Post, By Dave Seddon, Tuesday 10th August 2021 Frankie McAvoy was delighted to see Preston North End progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup after their 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town last night. Scott Sinclair scored twice, either side of substitute Emil Riis finding the net. Sinclair's first goal came in first-half stoppage-time, with Mansfield having caused PNE plenty of problems up until then. PNE head coach McAvoy said: "Mansfield are a good team, they play a diamond, the pitch is a bit tight and a bit shorter. We knew we would in for a tough game. https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/preston-north-end-head-coach-frankie-mcavoy-salutes-miles-better-second-half-in-carabao-cup-victory-over-mansfield-town-3341533 "We had a great opportunity when Scotty's shot was saved by the keeper, that was the only clear-cut chance we created for much of the first half. "I thought we needed to be a but better in getting the ball forward, then we managed to get the break just before half-time with the first goal. "It was a great pass from Sean Maguire, sliding Scotty through and it was a great finish. That gave us a bit of breathing space going into half-time. "To be honest, we needed to be better in the first half. "In the second half we wanted a second goal to settle us down and once we got that we showed a bit of class, we managed to keep the ball and move it "The third goal was the icing on the cake and just before that, Brad Potts' effort came back off the post after a great piece of football. "I'm delighted all round, I'm delighted for the supporters who turned up in their numbers. "We were disappointed with Saturday but that's gone. The main thing was that we won this game and got ourselves into the draw for the next round. "We accomplished that and I'm pleased we did that." McAvoy's half-time team talk wasn't changed much by Sinclair's 45th minute goals. The Scot said: "In the first half we didn't do well enough, we started to lose headers at the beginning, balls down the side were causing us a few issues. "I didn't think we won enough second balls in the middle of the park and didn't retain it well enough. "We were miles better in the second half in that respect. We started getting the strikers higher up the pitch, the midfielders started got on the ball more, the wing-backs got higher. "I must say in the first half we got Sepp van den Berg really high up the pitch but unfortunately we didn't create enough." Sinclair's two goals playing as a central striker certainly gave McAvoy food for thought in terms of future forward lines. "Scott was our top scorer last season with nine goals," said McAvoy. "When we got Scotty he was a winger and we're trying to make him more of an inside forward/striker. "It is about getting that pairing right with the two up top. The two goals for Scotty won't have done him any harm." --------------------- Frankie Pleased To Send Fans Home Happy https://www.pnefc.net/news/2021/august/frankie-pleased-to-send-fans-home-happy/ Frankie McAvoy was pleased to send the travelling Preston North End supporters home happy following the 3-0 win against Mansfield Town. Just under 500 North End fans watched on from a noisy away end as they watched their side progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup. Speaking to iFollow PNE, Frankie said: “[They were] excellent; I thought they were on Saturday as well. It’s just great that fans are back in. “The Mansfield fans behind us were making a bit of a raucous as well. I’ve said before and I’ll keep saying it, fans make football. “They’re the life and blood of the game and it’s just great to see them coming here in their numbers and thankfully tonight we can send them home happy with a 3-0 win.” Scott Sinclair scored the opener for PNE in the first half and he was involved for the second goal too, as he intercepted a goal kick from Mansfield goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and moved goalwards, seeing his effort saved before Emil Riis worked hard to finish off in the aftermath. While the first goal came at a good time for Frankie’s side, he felt the second was more important to the course of the game. “The second goal was crucial for us and Emil’s turned up with it, it’s a great finish from him,” said the head coach. “But Scott again finds himself in that great position when he gets in, the goalkeeper makes a good save, Emil doesn’t give up, he keeps working for it and we get a bit of fortune to score it. “At the end of the day, sometimes you’ve got to work for those type of things to go your way and thankfully it went our way. “I thought then you could see we were a wee bit more comfortable with the ball. We started to move it about a wee bit better and you could see we were more confident in terms of taking it, passing, moving and trying to probe. I felt that became a lot better.” In the last ten minutes of the game, Frankie decided to send on Joe Rodwell-Grant for a special moment for him, making his first appearance in competitive senior football. It was then time for Jamie Thomas, who joined last week after impressing on trial, to make his debut for the club. Frankie said: “I was delighted to manage to get Jamie on. I know a lot of people probably gave us a bit of stick for signing him because he was at Bamber Bridge, but I don’t think there’s any questions or doubt he’s got a bit of quality. “We just need to make sure we keep working with him to get him physically better, physically stronger and he’s got something. “I don’t think he looks out of place at any stage. You could see some of his forward passing, he looks for that and I’m delighted for Jamie.” Hear much more from Frankie on iFollow PNE. ----------------------- Preston manager Frankie McAvoy delighted to see off battling Mansfield Town in cup clash chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 10th August 2021 Preston North End boss Frankie McAvoy was delighted to see his side bounce back from Saturday's home hiding to win 3-0 at Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup first round clash at One Call Stadium tonight. Two goals from Scott Sinclair and one from sub Emil Riis saw the Lillywhites through, but they had to weather a good first half from the Stags before Sinclair netted a superb goal just before the break. “Mansfield are a good team and the pitch is a bit tight so we knew we'd be in for a tough game,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/preston-manager-frankie-mcavoy-delighted-to-see-off-battling-mansfield-town-in-cup-clash-3341521 “We had a great opportunity but the keeper made a good save and that was our only clear cut opportunity we'd created in the first half. “But we managed to get the break just before half-time with a great pass from Sean (Maguire) who sliced Scottie (Sinclair) through for a fantastic finish which gave us a wee bit of breathing space at half time. “First half we needed to do better, but we were miles better in the second half. “Second half we knew we needed that second goal as when you go to teams that are in lower divisions than yourself it is difficult. There are no easy games.” He added: “Once we got the second goal we showed a bit of class. We managed to retain the ball, move it, probe and the third goal was the icing on the post. “I am delighted all round and delighted for our supporters who turned up in numbers tonight. “We were disappointing on Saturday so it was important to win tonight and get in the draw for the next round and we accomplished that.” ---------------------- First goal key for Emil Riis as Preston North End beat Mansfield Town in Carabao Cup first round Lancashire Evening Post, By Tom Sandells Emil Riis felt getting the first goal was the most important thing for PNE as they beat Mansfield Town 3-0 to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup. There was little to split the two sides in the first half, but for a late Scott Sinclair goal. Sinclair opened the scoring just a minute before the interval, an accomplished finish over Stags 'keeper Nathan Bishop. North End's no.31 then helped carve out the second, getting onto a poor kick from Bishop to attack the Mansfield backline, where Riis eventually showed composure to find the net. Sinclair made it three rounding off an impressive passing sequence from Frankie McAvoy's men to find the bottom corner on his weaker foot. https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/first-goal-key-for-emil-riis-as-preston-north-end-beat-mansfield-town-in-carabao-cup-first-round-3341532 The game opened up the longer it wore on and North End's earlier breakthroughs meant that worked in their favour. "These games can be difficult if you don't get the first goal," Riis said. "It was good that Scotty opened it up for us and then I think the second half was a bit better. "When we get the first goal wethen get the confidence and they have to chase more than we do. "It's always good to score before half time, it changes a lot for their manager and what he'll say to them in the team talk. "For the second, the keeper takes a bad goal kick and Scotty is there to take it. "Unfortunately for him he couldn't put it away, but I fought for it and got the chance and was glad to score again. "It's good to go through to the next round." Riis played 45 minutes in the season opener against Hull City before being replaced, despite scoring the first goal of the game. The Dane is hoping to retain his starting spot, having come off the bench in the second half against Mansfield, and knows his goal at Field Mill will be giving his head coach something to think about. He said: "We kept a clean sheet and scored three goals, there's not much more you can ask for. "I don't know what will happen on Saturday and who the manager will pick but I always hope to start and I scored tonight so I've given him something to think about. "It's not been a bad start. I'm just happy to score goals, as a striker you need to score goals to have your confidence so I'm just delighted to score goals." -------------------- |
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