Archived News from April 2003
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CASUAL APPROACH IS CORDEN`S SECRET
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BY IAN WILKERSON, Evening Post, 03 April 2003
Stags' spot king Wayne Corden today said he is the man to take both the penalties and the pressure as the Stags fight to stay in Division Two. Corden has netted from the spot three times in the last five games and has now taken his goals tally to 13. And he said he would take any kick, even if the pressure was at fever pitch and the whole season depended on it. "I am willing to do the job," he said. "If we get a penalty in the last minute of the last game and we need to score to stay up, then I will step up and take it." The winger said opponents have been trying to distract him but he says he has, so far, managed to remain cool - despite admitting he often approaches a kick and changes his mind where he is going to put it. He said: "When we got the one last week, one of the Peterborough players said I had our season in my hands, trying to put me off, but it didn't matter. "I have a pretty good idea of what I am going to do before I go up to take it but, with the keepers being allowed to move, they often make my mind up for me. "If I see him going one way then I can adjust and put it the other side. I do take a few in training every now and then but it's not like I take 20 every day. "I'm delighted to have got into double figures and, now I've got 13, I'm looking to get at least a couple more. But I would swap them all if we get the chance to stay up." Corden's successful conversion against Posh was not enough to prevent Stags going down to a 5-1 defeat and he said they have to put things right immediately as they prepare to face his former club Port Vale on Saturday. He said: "We were a bit down after Saturday but we know we have to pick ourselves up because it's another massive game against Vale. We let everyone down. Obviously it's a disappointment for everyone when you play against a team who are level on points with you and you lose 5-1 at home." Corden netted in the opening minutes in the reverse fixture in November but Stags went down to a 4-2 defeat. And he hit back at criticism that the team plays too much long-ball football "I am looking forward to the game and hopefully I can score like I did at Vale Park but, in many respects, it is going to be a similar sort of approach. We've just got to do a lot better. "People might think we are a bit edgy and that was why they see us lumping it forward, but that's not the plan. "Obviously, if we are in our own area then we have to get it away, but we are given licence to do what we like in the attacking third, get crosses in and create chances. "Sometimes you don't see much of the ball and that does get frustrating, but I am always looking to attack. "I am an attacking player and I have been told to concentrate on that." Stags reserves fell to a 3-1 defeat against Lincoln City yesterday, with Neil MacKenzie adding to the two goals he netted in last week's 3-2 win over Grimsby. Scott Sellars made a return to action after his recent illness. |
Latest | April 2003