Archived News from December 2021
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CLOUGH, LAPSLIE, KEITH MILLEN REACTION
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Manager salutes 'hard-earned' Stags win
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough admired the way his side defended their early 1-0 lead in the victory at home to Carlisle United this evening. The Stags were able to defend resolutely to extend their excellent run to eight victories in nine matches. Despite missing some key performers through injury, the boss took pride in the way his side saw out the result. “[The win was] Unbelievably hard-earned,” he said. “I thought we started the game very well for the first 30 minutes. “I think we [eventually] ran out of energy and they [Carlisle] got back into the game ten minutes before half-time and continued that in the second-half. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/december/manager-salutes-hard-earned-stags-win/ “Although we had a couple of situations [to extend the lead further] it was more about looking after our clean sheet and protecting that 1-0 lead. “Apart from them hitting the bar from 25 yards with an unbelievably good effort, I thought we did it [defending the advantage] exceptionally well on low energy levels tonight.” Mansfield were able to protect the one goal advantage with an XI that consisted of numerous performers who had been on the peripheries in recent weeks. “In the context of having our three possibly main strikers out: Oli Hawkins, Danny Johnson and Rhys Oates [it’s a big victory]. “No Perch, we lose Forrester, no Gordon, no skipper (Ollie Clarke) tonight, having seven players out, it’s an unbelievably good three points. “That felt very important tonight.” The Stags produced an electric display of passing football in the second-half at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday. The gaffer, however, admitted that tonight’s disciplined performance was just as pleasing. “You’ve just got to do whatever [it takes] to win a game. Whatever the circumstances are. This is what we’re trying to get through to the players. “Every single game is different. In some you’re going to play nice football, have opportunities and score brilliant goals like we did against on Saturday. “I thought our goal tonight was great again by the way, the build-up again was excellent.” He continued: “Sometimes you have to scrap and fight. We were not at our best, we gave the ball away too easily, but we got the three points. “In a couple of days’ time, we’ll look at the performance but we’ll look back at three points and a clean sheet.” The amber and blue host Salford City this Saturday. The manager gave an update on when some of his unavailable squad members will make a return. “[On the reason for Rhys Oates’ absence] Dead leg. He got it at Doncaster on Saturday. He’s got an outside chance [to feature against Salford on Saturday.]” When asked about Ollie Clarke’s omission from the matchday squad the manager said: “Calf. He felt it really late on in the game [last Saturday]. Once again, he came off in the Doncaster game, we’ll see how he is but doubtful [to feature against Salford] I would think. “If he’s fit [Oli Hawkins will feature]. He’s been ill over the weekend and didn’t train yesterday. He’ll come in and start building back up [to full fitness]. Anyone who’s had this bug that’s going around will know it’s quite debilitating. “We’ll see how it is but he’ll certainly be back in the squad. “[On Danny Johnson’s injury progress] He’s coming along well. He starts running again tomorrow. He still has a niggle with it [the injury]. “He’ll need a good weeks’ training so as soon as we can get him back on the grass and involved it will be great for everybody.” ------------- Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags: "We're going to carry Stephen Quinn out to his car. With what he's put in in these two games. "On Saturday, it was the highest distance covered in terms of high speed running by any player this season. For a 34 year old - remarkable. "He was captain tonight, that was one of the reasons - he's a great leader for us. "And the crowd got us over the line tonight as well. When we've got 10 minutes to go and you can see the lads are on their knees, when they get behind them, it makes a big big difference." ------------ Nigel Clough on Will Forrester, to Martin Shaw: (Forrester had just kicked the ball forward, and went down with no-one else near him) I asked Nigel Clough about his injury after the game. Clough said he felt his ankle, but they were not sure how serious it was. --------------- Nigel Clough: Mansfield manager hails 'brilliant' run to turn season around bbc.co.uk, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Nigel Clough says it is a "brilliant achievement" by his side to turn their season around following a 15-match run without a victory. The Stags beat Carlisle 1-0 on Tuesday to make it eight wins in their past nine games in all competitions. It put them 11th in League Two, just five points outside the top seven. "Having seven players out, given all that, it's as good a three points as we've had so far this season," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59578490 "I thought we started the game very well indeed for the first 25-30 minutes and then we lost a little bit of energy and they got back into the game 10 minutes before half-time and continued that through the second half. "We had a couple of situations but it was more about looking after our clean sheet and protecting our 1-0 lead which for the most part - apart from them hitting the bar from 25 yards - was an unbelievably good effort." Clough has been in charge since November 2020, when he took over from Graham Coughlan with the club in the relegation places. The 55-year-old guided them to safety last season, finishing in 16th place, and their return to form in recent weeks has led to him being nominated for League Two's Manager of the Month award. "To come from where we were, 14 games without a win, to then win eight out of nine from that position has been a brilliant achievement by everybody and we will try and continue it on Saturday (against Salford)," he said. "I'm not interested in the personal stuff really - I just want a point or three on Saturday." Clough's side are also through to the third round of the FA Cup, having knocked out Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, and will face Championship side Middlesbrough next month following Monday's draw. "It could have been better, it could have been a lot, lot worse. We're at home against a good Championship side who'll have their eyes on promotion under Chris (Wilder) so it's going to be a good one," he added. "They'll sell out their end, hopefully we'll have a good crowd and it's another home game to look forward to." -------------------- Tired win over Carlisle United may be best result of season so far says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough believes tonight's hard-earned, tired 1-0 win over struggling Carlisle United was as good a result as they have had all season. Stags began in thrilling fashion but soon tired as the exertions of Saturday's superb FA Cup display at Doncaster caught up with them while Storm Barra blew through the ground to make life even harder. “In the context of having our three best strikers out plus no skipper and seven players out, that was as good a three points as we've had all season,” said Clough. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/tired-win-over-carlisle-united-may-be-best-result-of-season-so-far-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-3486492 “You have to do whatever you can to win a game, they are all different. “Sometimes you have to scrap and fight. Tonight we were not at our best and gave the ball away to easily. But we got the three points and a clean sheet. “The win was unbelievably hard-earned on the back of Saturday. “We started the game very well indeed for the first 20-30 minutes, then I think we ran out of a bit of energy and legs. “They got into the game 10 minutes before half-time and continued it throughout the second half.” He added: “Although we had a couple of situations it was more about protecting our clean sheer and that 1-0 lead which, apart from hitting the bar with that unbelievable effort, I thought we did exceptionally well on low energy levels tonight. “They came and played exceptionally well. They are a good footballing side and Callum Guy is one of the best midfielders in the division. “But Bish has not had too many saves to make tonight and we made them work hard for anything they got.” Rhys Oates (dead leg) and Ollie Clarke (calf) both missed out injured and are doubtful for Saturday's visit of Salford City. ------------------- In-form Mansfield Town won’t underestimate Salford City’s under-achievers chad.co.uk, By John Lomas In-form Mansfield Town will not underestimate the threat posed by Salford City's under-achievers when they visit the One Call Stadium on Saturday. Stags are in a fine vein of form, winning eight of their last nine games to move just five points outside the play-off places in 11th. But Gary Bowyer's men are expected to challenge for promotion on the big budget afforded to them. They sit 15th, two points behind Stags with a game in hand after their trip to Barrow was called off (Wednesday night, the day after the Stags win over Carlisle) due to a waterlogged pitch. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/in-form-mansfield-town-wont-underestimate-salford-citys-under-achievers-3488507 “To come from where we were and not win for 14 games to then win eight of nine from that position has been a brilliant achievement by everybody and we need to try to continue that on Saturday,” said manager Nigel Clough. “But we know Salford have got some excellent players and they were very unlucky to lose at the FA Cup at Chesterfield. “I know Gary quite well and I think they are one of those teams, like ourselves, who have had a rough time of it with injuries and suspensions and a little bit of bad luck. “But they are a team more than capable of challenging for the top six or seven.” Clough is again likely to be without key players through injury and illness and said veteran midfielder Stephen Quinn needed to be wrapped up in cotton wool this week with the form he is in. “We may have to carry Stephen Quinn out to his car with what he has put in in the last two games,” said Clough. “We record all the running stats and data and at Doncaster on Saturday it was the highest distance covered in terms of high speed running recorded by any player this season by Stephen Quinn, which for a 34-year-old is remarkable. “He was captain against Carlisle - that was one of the reasons. He is a great leader. “The lads that need it will get a rest and those who need some training will get a bit to keep ticking over. “But we don't have too many bodies available - we've only got the subs.” Stags hope Oli Hawkins will be fit to return after illness but Ollie Clarke, Kellan Gordon and Rhys Oates look unlikely to figure and defender Will Forrester limped off again on Tuesday night. “Oli Hawkins will do a little bit, but there's not too many around and it's all about looking after them at the moment, especially with the busy Christmas period coming up,” said Clough. Clough is hoping the crowd get behind Stags on Saturday as well as they did on Tuesday, when his side looked tired and below par but still win 1-0 against struggling Carlisle United. “I thought the crowd got us over the line on Tuesday,” he said. “As frustrating as it is, attacking and wining by two and threes, it can't always happen like that. “So when we have 10 minutes to go and you can see that the lads are on their knees, when they start getting behind them, it makes a big difference. “When you are away from home you sometimes don't get that home following. But to hear them when you're under the cosh and defending - and we got some great blocks in late on - that spurs us on.” -------------------- Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough happy to be at home in FA Cup and fancies upset against Middlesbrough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Nigel Clough was happy to get a home draw in Monday's FA Cup round three and believes Mansfield Town have a chance of knocking Championship club Middlesbrough. Stags were hoping for a glamour tie with one of the Premier League big guns, but will instead face Chris Wilder's Boro side, who sit ninth in the table, as they bid for a third giantkilling in a row after knocking out League One clubs Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers. “It's nice to be at home, first of all, with a good top-half Championship side as our opponents,” said Stags boss Clough. “Without wishing to sound being disrespectful, it's not a Chelsea or a Manchester United, but it is at home and we have a chance of getting through. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-happy-to-be-at-home-in-fa-cup-and-fancies-upset-against-middlesbrough-3486017?fbclid=IwAR0A7HpAvkRtlrY617XKr2iaBji9Pu2jA7qocNWK9orE3vYMDDU4eLrzEyE “We'll obviously be watching Middlesbrough closely in the next few weeks. They'll bring a very good following and it'll make for a great atmosphere. “I think it'll be a good crowd overall and a good atmosphere, and a real test for us. “Their priority will be to get promoted, but I have never known an easy game against one of Chris' teams.” The third round will take place over the weekend of Friday, 7th January to Monday, 10th January, with winning clubs picking up £82,000 from the competition prize fund. Stags earned another £34,000 from Saturday's superb 3-2 at Doncaster Rovers, backed by over 3,300 away fans. Stags last faced Boro in the FA Cup at home back in January 2008 in a fourth round tie which saw the visitors win 2-0. -------------------- Stags target fifth straight home win mansfieldtown.net Midfielder George Lapslie says that Mansfield Town have the opportunity to get back to ‘where we want to be’ should they secure a fifth successive home victory by beating Salford City on Saturday. The Stags briefly moved into the top half of the Sky Bet League Two table for the first time since August following a closely fought 1-0 victory over Carlisle United at One Call Stadium on Tuesday night. Lapslie was part of a fierce midfield battle as the Stags worked tirelessly to keep hold of their early lead courtsey of a sixth minute Stephen McLaughlin header. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/december/stags-target-fifth-straight-home-win/ The 24-year-old revealed that the key to victory over Carlisle was not to play free-flowing football but to stifle their opposition and deny them gaining any momentum in the game. “It was just about digging in and getting the three points,” Lapslie said. “We wanted to get our foot on the ball more, but as a player you realise that maybe it’s time to not let them [Carlisle] get a foot in the game. “We [had] got the one nil lead and if we don’t make any mistakes then we should be alright.” Stags’ 1-0 advantage came thanks to Elliott Hewitt’s controlled cross and McLaughlin’s cushioned header, a move Lapslie admitted was as good as the one in the build up to his winner against Doncaster in the FA Cup last Saturday. “[It was] probably better than my one away at Doncaster,” he said. “We kept it [the ball] for quite a while and then it was a great ball in by Ell [Elliot Hewitt] and a great finish by Macca [Stephen McLaughlin]. “We then had a couple of chances where we could have gotten a shot off or maybe [we] picked the wrong pass. “It is what it is but we got the three points and we go on to Saturday. It’s a massive one on Saturday.” The Stags face a Salford side that are four games unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, including an impressive scalp over Harrogate in North Yorkshire last month. Meanwhile, Nigel Clough’s men have experienced strong form and sit top of the form table for the last five matches. “I wouldn’t say much has changed [from the undesirable run],” he said. “I think we’re getting the rub of the green a bit more. When we were going through that bad spell, every shot someone was having they were scoring. As players, we knew that this couldn’t happen [over] a long time. “On Tuesday, he’s [Jordan Gibson] had a shot in the last minute and it’s hit the bar, I think six weeks ago that’s going straight into the top corner. “[The run] is a good way to cap off the [last] week and then Saturday is a massive one. “If we win on Saturday we’re right back amongst it [and] where we want to be.” Following their clash with Salford, Mansfield travel to league leaders Forest Green Rovers in the final match before Christmas. “[We’ll] focus on Salford first but Forest Green is going to be a tough one. I think they’re showing that they’re the dominant side in the league at the minute,” he said. “[They’re] two very tricky games but we fancy ourselves against anyone.” --------------------- George Lapslie told Mansfield 103.2 after the Carlisle game: "We're getting on it and passing it. I think we did that for about half an hour in the game. They switched to the diamond, which gave us a few problems. But hopefully we'll get back on it on Saturday. "With our formations (3 at the back / 4 at the back), I don't think you can pin a performance down to a formation. It's just the fundamentals of the game, you've got to run hard, you've got to get on the ball, you've got to want the ball, you've got to tackle. I can't say the formations have affected me much." on the fans: "I can highlight a moment, 85th minute, our backs are to the wall, and they're screaming 'yellows' and you just think 'come on, we've got 5 minutes to get through this', and then the 5 minute board goes up and you think 'ugh, we've got another 5 minutes of this'. But they're there backing us. We're thankful for them." Talking about the Doncaster game: on the disallowed goal: "I was onside. When Quinny flicked it, he was 50/50 - so I don't know. I could have had a hat-trick when Maris flashed it across the goal, I could have got a goal there." on the goal of the round: "I've seen that. I'd imagine the Mansfield fans got behind me so thank you for that. It was 39%, and then 38% for the Chesterfield guy, so I'm thankful for that, thank you." ----------------- George Lapslie happy to see Mansfield Town hold on to what they had in narrow win over Carlisle United chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Mansfield Town midfielder George Lapslie said Stags did the right thing tonight to preserve their narrow advantage in the 1-0 win over Carlisle United. Stags faded after a bright start and Lapslie said when you realise you are not playing well, it is important to hang on to what you have. “It was hard-earned, especially second half when it was all about digging in and making sure we got the three points,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/george-lapslie-happy-to-see-mansfield-town-hold-on-to-what-they-had-in-narrow-win-over-carlisle-united-3486506 “We wanted to get a foot on the ball more but, as a player, you understand the game and realise maybe it's time to get behind and not let them get a foothold. “You've got a 1-0 lead and if you don't make any mistakes you should be all right.” Stephen McLaughlin headed in the sixth minute winner from Elliott Hewitt's far post cross and Lapslie said: “It was probably better than the one we scored at Doncaster on Saturday. “I think we kept the ball longer and it was a great ball in from Elliott and a great finish by Macca. “We were not clinical enough around the box after that, myself included. But it is what it is, we got the three points and we now move on to Saturday.” That makes it eight wins in nine games and Stags are now 11th and five points off the play-offs. “We believed in ourselves to go eight out of nine and if we can win again on Saturday we will be right back amongst it where we want to be. It's a massive one for us,” he said. “Maybe we are getting the rub of the green a bit more now? “The one that hit the bar at the end tonight would probably have gone in six weeks ago. “We now fancy ourselves against anyone.” ------------------ Carlisle United boss Keith Millen can’t believe his side came away with nothing from Mansfield Town after gutsy fightback chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Carlisle United boss Keith Millen could not believe his side failed to score or gain any reward after their gutsy fightback in tonight's 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town. Stags faded after a bright start in which Stephen McLaughlin scored the winner and struggling United rose to the challenge, came close and hit the bar at the death. “Mansfield started really well and overloaded us in the midfield area which caused us problems,” said Millen. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/carlisle-united-boss-keith-millen-cant-believe-his-side-came-away-with-nothing-from-mansfield-town-after-gutsy-fightback-3486499?fbclid=IwAR3mdRh6I9TUsdfR6oGUx0R9UOeDiAy2Auds4xO5n6kFP039wsUlxtnztlk “When they get passing and moving they're a dangerous side. “We couldn't get to grips with them and them scoring after six minutes was a tough blow. “We were all over the place in our heads and when we won the ball it was like a hot potato. “But when we did we opened them up. Mansfield are good in possession but they do leave themselves quite open when when win it. “When we got to grips and calmed down we created a few opportunities. “We were then excellent in the second half and on the front foot.” He added: “There were so many incidents, how we've not scored is beyond belief. “It's frustrating. When you're playing well and working hard and not getting the results it's tough to take. “But that's the situation we are in and we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to remember we're doing a lot of good things, but something has to change and I don't know what it is.” ------------------- Carlisle United manager reacts to 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town Carlisle News and Star, By Jon Colman, Tuesday 7th December 2021 Keith Millen said he was searching for new ways to “spark” Carlisle United into goalscoring life after their latest barren night at Mansfield Town. The Blues lost 1-0 to remain third bottom of League Two. They are the division’s lowest scorers with just 13 goals from 20 games. And their shortcomings in front of goal cost them once more as Stephen McLaughlin’s early header proved enough for the Stags. Millen said United performed well in areas of the game but admitted little was gained from another hard-luck story. “There’s a real frustration there because when you’re playing well and working hard and not getting the results, that’s when it’s tough to take,” he said. https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/19769112.carlisle-united-manager-reacts-1-0-defeat-mansfield-town/ “But that’s the situation we’re in. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve got to remember we’re doing a lot of good things, [but] something has to change. “I don’t know what it is. I said to them in the dressing room after the game, what can we do that might spark us? “No-one means to miss chances. They’re all trying to score goals but it’s just not happening yet. I was right behind Jordan Gibson’s shot at the end there…it’s in the top corner, and all of a sudden the gust of wind lifts it onto the bar…you just think ‘wow, what have we got to do’. “The reality, though, is we’ve not scored enough goals all season, and I’m just trying to think of something, whether it’s in the dressing room or amongst ourselves to spark it, give us that little bit of luck that we’re lacking at the moment.” That came after United had allowed McLaughlin a free header in the opening minutes. Mansfield went on to secure an eighth win in nine games, whilst United were only kept out of the relegation zone by a late Tranmere winner at Oldham. Millen said of the game: “Mansfield started really well - they played a shape we thought they might - and did it well because they overloaded us in the midfield area and caused us problems. “When they get passing and moving they’re a dangerous side, but we knew that. We tried to prepare for that, but we couldn’t get to grips with them. “Them scoring after six minutes is a tough blow. “We were struggling to get control of the game and what you find [then] is when you do win the ball back, you’re all over the place in your head as well. We didn’t have that calmness when we won the ball. It was like a hot potato. “The few times we did keep the ball, we opened them up. They’re a team for me that are good in possession but do leave themselves quite open when we win it. “After that 20 minutes I tweaked it a little bit and we got to grips with them more, and then started calming down a little bit. Once we were a bit calmer in our head defensively, we were calmer on the ball. Then we started passing it better, created a few opportunities. “We spoke at half-time, [asked them to be] a bit more aggressive, a bit more sort of on the front foot, and we were excellent. Crosses…so many incidents…how we’ve not scored is just beyond belief isn’t it?” Millen insisted United were creating the sort of chances that can keep hope alive that their fortunes can turn. “I would be a lot more concerned if we weren’t playing well, because then you know you’re in trouble. But we are,” he said. “We’re creating chances - we’ve had one off the line, it hit one of our players on the line, and Brennan [Dickenson] was unlucky. Someone fired a cross in, and when it’s going for you they fly in. He had no time to react and it’s hit him. “There’s lots of situations like that at the moment. We’re getting balls in the box, we are creating chances, which is good, and it’s been like that for a while. “We just can’t finish it. That’s the frustration in the group, because they do realise we’re doing a lot of good things. “As long as that stays in place, things will change, whether it’s our luck, some personnel in January, whatever…things will change. We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing.” -------------------- MANAGER: There's a real frustration that the chances aren't being taken carlisleunited.co.uk, Tuesday 7th December 2021 United boss Keith Millen gave us his reaction to the Mansfield game shortly after full time on Tuesday night. “Mansfield started really well, they played a shape we thought they might do,” he said. “They did it well because they overloaded us in the midfield area. “The number 10 and centre-forward were dropping back in midfield and that caused us problems in that central area. When they get passing and moving they’re a dangerous side, but we knew that. “We tried to prepare for that, but we couldn’t get to grips with them. Them scoring after six minutes is a tough blow. The problem was that when you’re struggling to get control of the game, what you find is when you do win the ball back, you’re all over the place in your head as well. “We didn’t have that calmness when we won the ball, which we’ve had. It’s like a Catch-22. Throughout my career I know, when you can’t get to grips with the opposition, when you do win it, you’re sort of all over the place. It was like a hot potato. We couldn’t keep the ball. “The few times we did, we opened them up, and that’s something we’d talked about. They’re a team for me that are good in possession, but they did leave themselves quite open when we won it. “After that first 20 minutes I tweaked it a little bit, we got to grips with them more, and then we started calming down a little bit. Once we were a bit calmer in our heads defensively, we were calmed on the ball. https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2021/december/manager-it-hurts-in-the-dressing-room/ “Then we started passing it better, and we got a few opportunities.” “We spoke at half-time about the need to be a bit more aggressive, a bit more on the front foot, and we were excellent,” he continued. “We had crosses, so many incidents, and how we’ve not scored is just beyond belief, isn’t it. “There’s a real frustration there because when you’re playing well and working hard, and not getting the results, that’s when it’s tough to take. But that’s the situation we’re in. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. “We’ve got to remember we’re doing a lot of good things. Something has to change, I don’t know what it is, they’re doing so many good things, the fans were great, travelling down here tonight, clapping us at the end, we really appreciate that. “But I said to them after the game, I don’t know, what can we do that might spark us. No-one means to miss chances, they’re all trying to score goals, but it’s just not happening yet. “I was right behind Jordan Gibson’s shot at the end there, and it’s in the top corner. All of a sudden the gust of wind lifts it onto the bar - you just think, wow, what have we got to do. “The reality is we’ve not scored enough goals all season, we’re trying to, and I’m just trying to think of something, whether it’s in the dressing room or amongst ourselves to spark it and give us that little bit of luck that we’re lacking at the moment.” Speaking more about where that spark will come from, he commented: “I would be a lot more concerned if we weren’t playing well, because then you know you’re in trouble. But we are playing some good stuff. “We’re creating chances, we’ve had one off the line, it hit one of our players on the line, and Brennan was unlucky, someone fired a cross in, and when it’s going for you they fly in. He had no time to react and it’s hit him. “There’s lots of situations like that at the moment. We’re getting balls in the box, we are creating chances, which is good, and it’s been like that for a while. We just can’t finish it. That’s the frustration in the group, because they do realise we’re doing a lot of good things. “To help to try to find that spark I’ve been trying to rotate the forwards, saying go on, 60 minutes, give it your all and hopefully something might fall for you, and if you get tired I’ll bring someone else on. “I was trying to think of something different. Jon Mellish has got a knack of scoring goals and arriving in the box, so I thought let’s push Jon up and something might fall for him, and he might smash it in. “We’re trying to think of everything. We continue to do that. Hopefully we can come up with a solution. The good thing is that we know we’ve got a group of players that are trying everything. “We’re picking up little injuries here and there that doesn’t help, that seems to go against you on these sorts of runs. We have to keep working, keep believing, keep trying to create chances and maybe just try and demand more from each other. “Maybe add an edge somehow on the pitch that might just upset someone or create something different.” On the goal conceded, he told us: “I can’t remember the build-up to it. They got it wide, looked like they overloaded us at the back post, but they were doing that well in the first 10 or 15 minutes. “They were overloading us on the sides, we struggled to come to terms with that, that’s why I made the slight change after 20 minutes. Our response was good, once we settled down, we finished the first half better. “When that cross came in we had players a little bit unsure, should I be there, shouldn’t I be there, and from memory we probably left it for each other, maybe. I’ll look at that and try and correct that. “I thought we were the better team at the end of the first half. When you think about how many chances they had, how many times did Mark Howard make a save? Not many I can think of, but that’s the reality of where we are. “As long as we keep doing what we’re doing, something will have to change, because it does hurt. It hurts because they’re a caring dressing room, which is what you want. “They’re a quiet dressing room, because they’re really upset and sad because of all the work they’re doing. Sometimes you maybe just need someone or something just to spark a bit of anger maybe on the pitch, or the dressing room, that might get a reaction on the pitch. “When I was playing if someone had a dig at me, I took it in the right way and maybe got up the other end being so angry you push someone out of the way and score. Something like that that might change our mindset a little bit. They’re doing everything else that I’m asking of them. “The bit that really frustrates me is when you compare our chances to what the other team are getting. That’s very hard to take, but they say luck evens itself out. Hopefully it’ll start going our way.” ---------------- |
Latest | December 2021