Archived News from August 2021
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CLOUGH, HAWKINS, DEREK ADAMS REACTION
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Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags, Saturday 21st August 2021
Asked if the result was rough justice, Clough replied: "No. Because we didn’t defend well enough.” “We’ve scored two goals at home, so we’re entitled to get something from the game and we didn’t. “In the previous games, two goals have been enough, but they weren’t today as we defended so ineptly at times, especially down the right hand side with Hewitt and Rawson. That's where all the problems came from. “People just didn't do their jobs and as you can probably tell, I’m a little bit angry at the moment. So, I’ll have to be careful with what I say, but I’m very disappointed. “I probably picked the wrong team today. I should have played Kellan Gordon being at home. Probably a mistake on my part. “I think Elliott Hewitt played at Grimsby with the lad that scored and then made the third goal and they are obviously very good friends as he's not tackled him all game!” “First and foremost it was a brilliant League Two game with us attacking for the majority of the game. “We didn't create too many clear cut chances but we scored two brilliant goals. “We didn’t create too many chances, but we put good balls into the penalty area and played some good stuff at times. “We lost George Maris injured just after half-time which is always a blow as he is one of our main players, but Ryan Stirk came on and did well. “George has a very sore knee. At the time, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the tackle and I said that to the fourth official and Derek (Adams) as well. “Having seen it back, it’s very close to being a red card. It’s his following leg, he’s gone over the top and caught George on the kneecap.” "Hopefully it's just a whack, nothing more than that. "Ryan Stirk came on and I think he did well. He played a brilliant ball leading up to the second goal. He looked pretty comfortable in there. He wasn't the problem. “I thought they were excellent goals (from Hawkins). The goals we’ve scored here have been very good quality. “His (Hawkins) two (goals) today (were good). We’re just encouraging him to be within the width of the goal as much as possible. “In the first 10 or 15 minutes he wasn’t, and was hanging at the far post too much. We’re not looking to cross to him there, we’re looking to cross within the width of the goal where he can score with one touch. “He was in there twice and I thought they were two brilliant finishes.” “We should have kept going forwards after the second goal but we took a bit of a step back - I don't know why. We encourage them to carry on playing forward.” "But we gave the ball away, a couple of players out of position, and all of a sudden we're two all and we don't give ourselves chance to consolidate that lead. Asked what he had said to the players in the dressing room, Clough replied: "You really don't want to know." ---------------------- Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham, Saturday 21st August 2021: "We didn't defend with enough aggression and desire to get a result "I've just asked him (Elliott Hewitt) and Faz Rawson how many fouls they committed today between them. I think it's zero. For two defenders to go through a game in which you lose three goals at home and don't commit a foul, I find staggering. "It's always good when you know exactly why you've lost a game. "You can't iron out those mistakes on the training pitch. You've either got that desire and aggression, or you haven't. But we've been saying all along that we're a defender light, and we are, and that shows up in days like today." "Rhys Oates should have put us ahead at half time. But he caused problems all the time he was on. He went down the right hand side and he should square it to Danny Johnson for a tap in. "Danny (Johnson) is a little bit off form at the moment, but when you don't get those sorts of chances that Rhys should have provided him with, that should be a tap in, and then it's a different game for him. ------------------- Striker left with mixed emotions after Bradford clash mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 21st August 2021 Striker Oli Hawkins was pleased to net a brace, but disappointed to see the Stags empty-handed following today’s slender loss at home to Bradford City. Captain Ollie Clarke found the striker in front of goal in the 37th minute - to level the game - a cross Hawkins described as ‘perfect’. The 6ft 5in striker then put Stags ahead with a close-range volley in the 52nd minute before Charles Vernam and Andy Cook struck the Bantams to victory. Speaking of his first goal, the ex-Ipswich Town man said: "It was a great ball in, a pin-point perfect ball to be honest with you.” Hawkins said, praising teammate Ollie Clarke. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/august/oli-hawkins-post-bradford-city/ “We had a lot of crosses previous to that [which] I was just almost there [to meet] and some over my head. “As long as there's balls coming into the box, if you can get five or six [to] myself and Danny Johnson it's likely we'll get on the end of them. “[With] that first one today everything was perfect with the cross, the connection and the finish." Hawkins’ second came by way of a volley inside the box. "[It’s] not like me really to score volleys, especially with my weaker foot. Again I was in a great position and I connected with it really well. “It's a good goal to go 2-1 up but it's a shame that we couldn't hold on. "I'm happy that I got two goals for myself but disappointed that those two goals didn't contribute to three points.” On the performance and result, Hawkins said: "I feel like when we took the lead we took our foot off the gas a little bit. “We weren't really ‘at it’ like we were when we were 1-0 down and 1-1. “It's something we've got to work on and it's relatively early in the season. We can eradicate those sorts of mistakes. “There was a winning performance there at spells through the game and we should have probably held on. “We've just got to focus now on the next few games and not make mistakes like we have done today. I definitely feel like this team can go on another run [of good form]." iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Oli's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------------- Mixed afternoon as Mansfield Town two-goal hero Oli Hawkins suffers defeat chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 21st August 2021 Mansfield Town striker Oli Hawkins had mixed feelings after netting two superb goals only to see his side pipped 3-2 in a thriller with visiting Bradford City. “I am happy that I got two goals for myself but disappointed they did not contribute to three points,” he said. “We have to get over this as quickly as we can and look forward to next week. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mixed-afternoon-as-mansfield-town-two-goal-hero-oli-hawkins-suffers-defeat-3355146 “I feel like when we took the lead we took our foot off the gas a little bit. We were not at it like we were when we were 1-0 down and 1-1. “It's something we have to work on. It's still early in the season and we can eradicate the mistakes early. “It was a great ball in, pinpoint perfect, for the first. “It's not like me to score volleys with my weaker foot, but I connected with it really well for the second.” On his new striker partnership with Danny Johnson, he added: “It's not your typical big man, little man. We don't look to go long all the time. We are still a new partnership but I'd like to think there are goals there. “We have the makings here with the squad and the fans of a promotion-winning team.” ---------------------- Bradford City boss Derek Adams praises Mansfield Town after late win at the One Call Stadium chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 21st August 2021 Bradford City boss was delighted with his side's 'fantastic' performance in their late 3-2 win at Mansfield Town - but was also highly complimentary about the Stags' part in a rip-roaring encounter. “That was a fantastic performance from us from start to finish,” said Adams. “To come to Mansfield and have more shots on target than them with the firepower they have just showed you how well we played. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city-boss-derek-adams-praises-mansfield-town-after-late-win-at-the-one-call-stadium-3355144?fbclid=IwAR18ucIzn0T6TIvfQJdgRgEGOlVKkQCshh7UM8wB0qQp-kfNAwJ1lDxvM0k “We know the threat Mansfield have - they have bought big over the summer - one of the biggest spenders in the division - and we have dealt well with it. “They are a fantastic outfit and they have a great manager in Nigel Clough. “It was a great advert for League Two and having supporters back in makes it even better. The game was end to end with a lot of good football on show and both teams looking to get the victory. Our following made all the difference today and got us over the line.” He continued: “Mansfield equalised against the run of play just after half-time. Then they got 2-1 ahead but we got it back to 2-2 and finished the game very strongly. “The mentality in our dressing room is very strong. We have experienced players in there along with younger ones that are learning how to become mentally strong. “Andy did what he's done throughout his career. He was the coolest man in the stadium in being able to lift it over the keeper and get the winner.” ---------------------- ADAMS DELIGHTED WITH ‘SPIRITED’ VICTORY https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2021/august/adams-delighted-with-spirited-victory/ Derek Adams was thrilled with his side’s “spirited” 3-2 triumph over Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League Two. City had to come 2-1 down to edge a five-goal thriller at the One Call Stadium, in front of over 1,500 travelling supporters. Adams confessed his delight at the manner in which the team secured their victory, and was full of praise for the character his players showed on the day. He said: “It was a great victory which we had to show a lot of fight to earn. “The players showed excellent character and should be proud of themselves. “One of the most encouraging takes from the game was the way we dealt with setbacks. “Mansfield is an extremely difficult place to go and win, so to do it in the way we did was very pleasing. “The most important thing, as always, was that we got another three points on the board.” Adams was also proud of the support on show from the Bantams’ travelling faithful. A sold-out away end packed into the One Call Stadium and was treated to seeing Andy Cook score a dramatic late winner in front of them. He added: “Once again, our supporters were fantastic all afternoon. “I was pleased to see we would be attacking the end they were housed in during the second half, because I had a feeling we would give them something to cheer. “Of course, it was written in the stars that Andy (Cook) would be the person to score the winner. “We were once again appreciative of their support and delighted to have sent them home happy.” -------------------- REACTION: Praise for Bantams and Cook - but worry over Angol thetelegraphandargus.co.uk, By Simon Parker https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/19529410.reaction-praise-bantams-cook---worry-angol/ IT WAS written in the stars that Andy Cook would score in City’s win at Mansfield, Derek Adams said afterwards. Cook popped up with the late clincher as the Bantams triumphed 3-2 on his return to the club he left for them in the summer. Cook pounced on the rebound after Charles Vernam, who had scored the second, had a shot saved. Paudie O’Connor had earlier put City ahead. Adams said: “Andy’s done what he’s done throughout his career. He was the coolest man inside the stadium, able to lift it over the goalkeeper and get the winner. “It was written in the stars for him. But it was a fantastic team performance from start to finish. “To come to Mansfield and have more shots on goal and on target with the firepower they have just shows how well we played today. “Mansfield bought big over the summer, they are one of the biggest spenders in our division. “They are a fantastic outfit and have got a great manager in Nigel Clough. But we came here and dealt with the threat well and it’s a fantastic result for us. “With supporters back in, it makes it even better. The game was end to end and there was a lot of good football on show. “We wanted to get the victory and our following really helped push us over the line.” Callum Cooke was taken off as a precaution after suffering a dead leg. But there is more worrying news about Lee Angol, who is waiting to see a consultant about his hamstring injury. Adams admitted: “He’s waiting to be assessed but it’s not good. “We’re unsure if he needs surgery at this moment in time. It is the same side as before. “We knew the risk when we signed Lee but it was one we were prepared to take because he’s a quality player. “Hopefully it’s not as bad as we fear but it could be.” ----------------------- O’CONNOR THRILLED WITH HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2021/august/oconnor-thrilled-with-hard-fought-victory/ Goal-scorer Paudie O’Connor was delighted with the Bantams’ hard-earned 3-2 triumph over Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League Two. The defender was one of three City players to find the back of the net as they picked up a dramatic win at the One Call Stadium. O’Connor was particularly pleased with the way his team fought back to secure the points - and were able to share the moment with the Bantams’ 1,589 travelling supporters. He said: “To win the game in the way we did was fantastic. “You could see by the celebrations how much it meant to us - and especially Andy (Cook). “It was written in the stars for him to score the winner against his former side. “It is a lot more satisfying to earn a victory like that when you have the supporters there to share it with. “The entire team showed great mental strength to come from behind in the second half. “Even at this early stage of the season, we have proven there is plenty of fight in us and it got us over the line today.” O’Connor also confessed his delight at getting his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season. The Irish defender headed in the Bantams’ opening goal of the contest and is hoping to add more to his tally throughout the duration of the campaign. He added: “Of course, it is always great to contribute a goal for the team. “As much as us defenders like to focus on doing a solid job at the back, it is also important for us to chip in with goals throughout the season. “I only scored a couple last season, so this is something I am looking to improve on this time round. “Set pieces are certainly something we have been working on and, hopefully, we can continue to have some joy from them.” ----------------- |
Latest | August 2021