Archived News from March 2022
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CLOUGH, LONGSTAFF, MARK HUGHES REACTION
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Excellent away support was ‘boost’ in Bradford win - manager
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 26th February 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough praised the added ‘boost’ of having over 2,000 Stags’ fans backing his side’s superb 2-0 victory away at Bradford this afternoon. The gaffer’s side are now unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two in three successive months after ending December, January, and February without league defeats. Speaking to the media post-match, the boss said: “[The supporters were] Absolutely unbelievable. “You’d have thought the home side had scored when Oatesy’s goal went in, such was the noise. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/february/excellent-away-support-was-boost-in-bradford-win---manager/ “When Matty Longstaff’s [goal] rolls in in front of them, [it ensured it was] another day out for them to enjoy. “It’s a massive boost [to have such an away following]. “You don’t want to let them down; I’m pleased to say we didn’t today.” The game was newly-appointed Bradford manager, Mark Hughes’ first game in charge. The Stags’ chief feels his players dealt well with the occasion amidst a bumper crowd in west Yorkshire. “[It was] A tough day, but a brilliant day,” he said. “It was an unbelievably hard game today with the crowd and the new manager, I thought they played very well and put us under pressure for a few little spells. “I thought we had enough situations, especially in the first 20 minutes, to get a goal [earlier in the contest].” Mansfield eventually took the lead just before half-time courtesy of a superb Rhys Oates goal in the forward’s return to the side after injury. “It was a wonderful goal,” the gaffer said. “With Rhys Oates that’s what you miss [when he’s not in the squad]. “That sort of threat, when he’s one on one with the defender and he finishes like that with his left foot as well, [what a] brilliant goal. “[The goal was] Worth it for all the fans that came to see it.” With suspensions to defenders Oli Hawkins and John-Joe O’Toole the manager praised his defenders for keeping a clean sheet. “[They did] Very well,” he said. “Lucas (Akins) you see how invaluable he is. “In the last few games, he’s played left back at Bristol Rovers and kept a clean sheet, he’s played centre forward at Newport and then gone to right-back today. “Very few players in the country at any level can do that and keep the consistency that he does. “Faz Rawson came back in [and did] brilliantly, he competed with Cooky (Andy Cook) and got his blocks in and won his headers. “Elliott Hewitt is another one who can move across the back four. “I thought Stephen McLaughlin was very good today. “He was captain for the day, and I thought he played very well.” The victory ends a spell of three successive away matches and the boss took pleasure in how few opportunities this afternoon’s opponents created. “I think in the first 20 minutes we dealt with it [the large crowd at Utilita Energy Stadium] brilliantly. “They had a little spell after that. They had a little ten or 15 minutes in each half [where they had possession] but that was all. “It’s nice [to get an away victory] when you’ve had a couple of draws on the road.” Watch the gaffer's interview in full now by clicking here. ----------------- Nigel Clough told Craig Priest for Mansfield 103.2 "I don't think Murph (Jamie Murphy) was at his best again today, he's been struggling with this niggling hamstring injury. "It was a very difficult one today with Ollie Clarke. It was a toss-up, we never decided until 1, half past 1, on the M1, couldn't decide which one to go with, Ollie Clarke or George Maris. I think we just about got it right. "I thought the one he (Nathan Bishop) tipped over the bar was outstanding. "The (Bradford) set plays were a bit of a threat, which they're going to be when you're missing Hawkins and O'Toole." ------------------ On Mark Hughes' new role, Stags boss Nigel Clough said: "It is a brilliant appointment for Bradford and brilliant for League Two. He will find it tough, but it's tough everywhere." ------------------ Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough hails importance of the travelling fans after win at Bradford City chad.co.uk, Saturday 26th February 2022 Nigel Clough admitted the backing of the away fans made a big difference in Mansfield Town’s win at Bradford City. Goals from Rhys Oates and Matty Longstaff ensure Stags wrapped up another crucial win as Stags close in on the top three. But Clough was full of praise for the 2,000 fans in the away end who helped spur the team on. "You don’t want to let them down and I am pleased to say we didn’t today,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-hails-travelling-fans-after-win-at-bradford-city-3588029 "The fans were unbelievable and it gives us a massive boost when you have such an away following. "It was another day out for them to enjoy." Stags continued their unbeaten run in 2022 and ensured it was defeat for Mark Hughes in his first game in charge of Bradford. The match saw Bradford’s second biggest crowd of the season come expecting to see the new era get off to a flyer. It left Clough delighted with how Mansfield had dealt with the occasion. “It was an unbelievably hard game today with the crowd and the new manager,” he added. I thought they played very well and put us under pressure for a few little spells. “I thought we had enough situations, especially in the first 20 minutes, to get a goal. “I think in the first 20 minutes we dealt with the big brilliantly. “They had a little spell after that. They had a little ten or 15 minutes spell of possession in each half but that was all. “It’s nice to get an away victory when you’ve had a couple of draws on the road.” ------------------- Longstaff loving Stags’ loan spell mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 26th February 2022 Midfielder Matty Longstaff says he is loving his spell at the Stags after the Newcastle United loanee helped in-form Mansfield to a brilliant 2-0 win at Bradford today. The 21-year-old signed on loan from St James’ Park on deadline day and netted his first goal in Stags’ colours this afternoon in the 48th minute to seal victory for Nigel Clough’s men. “I’m absolutely loving it [here]” said Longstaff. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/february/longstaff-loving-stags-loan-spell/ “The manager and his staff have been unbelievable. “The lads are great to work with every day, they’re top players and I’m loving it.” Asked whether his effort this afternoon took a deflection, Longstaff said: “I think so, but you’ll take it.” “I think Oatsey (Rhys Oates) did well to screen the ‘keeper. [It was] a bit of a scruffy one, took a bit of a deflection, but you take them. “It was [a] great feeling [but] the most important thing is [the] three points though obviously. “Our goal is promotion, so we know that we’ve got to win games. We probably should’ve won last week [so] it was a big thing to come here in front of a big crowd and win.” The youngster admitted that the 2,129 travelling Stags’ fans were crucial in helping the team over the line to victory. “We knew their fans were going to be ready, but to be honest I thought ours were terrific,” he said. “They were loud, and you could hear them for the whole game. They were definitely the twelfth man for us. “They were unbelievable. When we started to tire, they were there and they were loud and proud, it definitely gives the players a big boost.” Longstaff hopes Mansfield can continue their good feeling into a blockbuster clash with promotion rivals Exeter City at One Call Stadium on Friday evening. The Stags’ number 44 says the team’s important result against Bradford gives them momentum. “It’s massive,” he said. “I think to show a reaction [today] and come here in front of a big crowd and get three points, not just for the team but for the fans as well, can give us momentum going into next Friday.” Watch the midfielder's interview in full now by clicking here. -------------------- Newcastle United man Matty Longstaff gives his verdict on Mansfield Town loan spell so far chad.co.uk, Saturday 26th February 2022 Newcastle United loan man Matty Longstaff admits he’s loving life at Mansfield Town. Longstaff banged in his first goal for Stags during the weekend win at Bradford City. The midfielder, who made his Newcastle United debut in 2019 against Leicester City in the EFL Cup, joined for promotion-chasing Mansfield in the transfer window. “I’m loving it here,” he said. “The manager and the staff have been unbelievable. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/matty-longstaff-gives-his-verdict-on-stags-loan-spell-3588333 “The lads are top players and are great to work with, I’m loving it. “Obviously it’s a bit different in League Two, there’s a lot of second balls and headers that need winning, but that is something I enjoy doing. “I’ve travelled all over watching my brother in League One, so I know what lower league football is like and I was pretty well prepared for it.” Longstaff was also delighted to seal all three points as Stags ruined Mark Hughes’ first game in charge of the bantams. “It was a great day, but the most important thing is the three points,” he said. “Our goal is promotion and we have to win games. It was a big thing to come here and win in front of a big crowd. “We knew it was going to be tough, but our fans were terrific and they were the 12th man for us. “The crowd gave us that push when we were tiring in the last 20 minutes, they gave us energy and kept us going. “It was a great moment to score, but the three points are the most important. “We should have won last week, so to show this reaction can only give us momentum.” ---------------------- HUGHES ENCOURAGED BY CITY PERFORMANCE bradfordcityafc.com, 26 February 2022 Mark Hughes was enthused by the Bantams’ performance in his first game as City manager, despite defeat to promotion-chasing Mansfield. Nigel Clough’s side took all three points from West Yorkshire this afternoon after goals from Rhys Oates and Newcastle United loanee Matty Longstaff secured victory for the visitors, just two days after Hughes was appointed. The new City boss believes there were plenty of positives for his side to take from the game - in spite of the result - and suggested it will be a platform to build from. He said: “We started well, created some good opportunities and got into some good areas, but we just did not make the right decisions which has been the story of our season. https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/february/hughes-encouraged-by-city-performance/ “It was a battling performance from us but conceding goals at key times killed us. “We kept going and had a few good chances, but we came up short in the end.” Hughes also touched on the fantastic welcome he received upon entry to the Utilita Energy Stadium, with a 14,500+-strong home crowd giving him a rousing reception. The former Wales manager made sure to highlight what an impact the welcome had on him and wished to thank the supporters in the coming weeks with performances on the pitch. He added: “I thought the crowd were magnificent, they stuck with us right until the end. “We are obviously disappointed that we lost the game, but I had a great reception and it is up to me to make sure that continues. “That means winning matches and that is what we need to do, for the fans. “I thought they were brilliant.” ----------------------- Hughes told BBC Leeds: "I loved every minute of it. It's been a long time since I've been in charge of a group of players on a matchday at 3pm on Saturday. I really enjoyed it, notwithstanding the result obviously," he said. "I saw things I was encouraged by, other things less so. But it's about making sure we emphasize the elements of our play we need to improve and then we'll get better. "That's why today's game was really important. It's given me a better insight in terms of what I've got to work with, maybe some of the weaknesses and the strengths. "It was a good exercise in terms of having a better understanding of the group." -------------------- GILLIEAD: ‘IT WAS A BATTLING PERFORMANCE’ bradfordcityafc.com, 26 February 2022 Alex Gilliead insists the Bantams can take positives from their “battling performance”, despite yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Mansfield Town. The Stags scored either side of half-time to ensure they took all three points away from the Utilita Energy Stadium, in Mark Hughes' first game in charge. Gilliead was pleased with elements of City's showing, but insists the timing in which they conceded the goals let them down. He said: “We started well, created some good opportunities and got into some good areas, but we just did not make the right decisions which has been the story of our season. https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/february/gilliead-it-was-a-battling-performance/ “They are doing well for themselves in the league and are up there. “It was a battling performance from us but conceding goals at key times killed us. “We kept going and had a few good chances, but we came up short in the end.” Gilliead then touched on how this upcoming week in training will be vital for new manager Hughes, as well as touching on his own individual performance. The Bantams will have a full week until their next game when they are back at home to face Swindon Town in Sky Bet League Two. He added: “We have a full week in training with the gaffer which will allow him to get his ideas across. That will do us the world of good. “Knowing what he wants us to do will help us going into the game against Swindon next week. “In the first half, I had a few opportunities where I could have taken a shot. “Every week, I just want to get on the ball, create things, and work hard, but I would rather us come out with a victory than me get man of the match. “Being on the left-hand side is something that I enjoy. I like playing with (Matty) Fouldsy. “I will keep working at it and play wherever the gaffer wants me to. “The fans were great and they mean a lot to us. When they show up like that it does help us. “At the moment, we are not getting the results for them but we hope they can continue to get behind us players and the manager.” ------------------ Rhys Oates @OatesRhys 13 unbeaten in the league and a massive 3 points! Great graft from the lads and always nice to get on the scoresheet again Jamie Murphy @Jamiemurphy89 Great win! Great support! John Radford @JRadfordMTFC What a brilliant, professional performance and victory at Bradford. Our fans also never stopped singing from start to end. Thoroughly enjoying our magnificent run of form which now extends to 13 games unbeaten in the league! Onwards and upwards! COYS!!! David Sharpe @DavidSharpe91 13 unbeaten!! Well done to the lads and staff! Over 2,000 in the away end, different class !! Also, congratulations to Matty Longstaff on his first goal for the club! -------------- |
Latest | March 2022