Archived News from August 2022
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CLOUGH, BOATENG, MICKY MELLON REACTION
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Boss delighted as Stags have lift-off
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 6th August 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough expressed his delight at a ‘very good all-round performance’ as Stags earned a first win of the season by beating Tranmere 1-0 at One Call Stadium this afternoon. A header from Nottingham Forest loanee Riley Harbottle secured all three points in the Stags' first home game of the season. Mansfield could have had more goals following a plethora of chances in the contest. At the other end, goalkeeper Christy Pym was in fine form, making two smart stops. Speaking to iFollow Stags after a dominant display, the gaffer said: “We’re up and running, which is the most important thing. We should have been last week. A good all-round performance today. “I thought the performance was excellent and the result even better. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/gaffer-on-rovers-win/ “You can see how we’re going to try and play this season, and all that was missing in the first hour was a goal. “Once we got that one, we played a little more and really should have gone on and got a second. “Our general all-round football was very good indeed. We need a little more creativity and incisiveness, but I thought the chances we created in the second half, we should have got more than one goal. “Having said that, we needed Christy Pym twice; a sloppy back pass from Jordan [Bowery] he was called into action and then one in the second-half. He did his job and kept the clean sheet intact. “We conceded two chances in 97 minutes. We’ll take that.” On the decisive goal, scored by Harbottle in the 60th minute, the manager said: “I’ve just spoken to him [Riley] and he’s said it’s definitely his. But then JJ said it’s him. If it comes down to a fight, I’d back JJ! “They’re both adamant they scored, but we don’t really care, we'll sort it out on Monday - if it’s an own goal or anything, it’s a goal and it's won us the game.” The boss also praised the home debutants, in particular Man of the Match Hiram Boateng. “I thought he was an outstanding player on the pitch today. “He’s just a lovely player when he gets the ball at his feet, [he] can make things happen. “I think there is a lot more to come from him, we’ve just got to get the ball to him as much as we can.” The boss also expressed his satisfaction at the new five-substitution rule, saying it played a key role in today’s game. “Unfortunately you lose a couple again, Oli Hawkins has come off with a tight hamstring. “We’ve said we are going to be playing catch up for the first month or two of the season. “[With] the five subs, when you can change half the outfield players as we can do, they are going to be absolutely vital and they played a key role today.” On the team selection: "Macca was forced into playing centre half last week. But having Oli Hawkins back, he came straight back in, we pushed Macca out wide, Lucas went to his more favourable role up front, and it just meant Will Swan missing out." Asked if he sees Akins playing more up front than right wing back, Clough said "Yes. Jordan's doing an admirable job there at the moment, certainly working extremely hard defensively. He's made a few chances today. And we've got Kels as back-up. "I think with just having the three recognised strikers, with Oatesey, Will Swan and Lucas, it will be two from those three at the moment. "Oli Hawkins' hamstring was tightening up, so we'll see how he his. Hopefuly not too serious. We won't risk him onTuesday if there's any problem." On new recruit Anthony Hartigan, Clough said: "He's a central midfielder, holding midfield player. With Jason Law being out for 3 months, Kieran Wallace being out injured at the moment, then we needed reinforcements, and at 22 he's going to be a good long term player for us. "You can't have too many good players. We said if a good player comes up, we'll take him, with the versatility we have in the squad. It doesn't have to be a specific position, it has to be a good player and we think Anthony is." -------------------- Nigel Clough says Mansfield Town have set a benchmark for the rest of the season following victory over Tranmere Rovers chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 6th August 2022 Nigel Clough believes Mansfield Town’s 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers sets a benchmark for the rest of the season. Riley Harbottle’s second half header proved to be the difference in a game of few clear-cut chances. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-says-mansfield-town-have-set-a-benchmark-for-the-rest-of-the-season-following-victory-over-tranmere-rovers-3796299 “It was a good performance and a win,” said Clough. “It was really important to get the win. “It was a very good all round performance and the only thing that was missing was an earlier goal, or a second goal once we got ahead. “We started very well and I thought our general all round football was good. “We created enough chances in the second half to get more than one goal. “We are trying to put our markers down and set the tone for the season as to how we are going to play, home and away. “We saw it in too brief of glimpses at Salford but today I thought we controlled the game for long periods and deserved the victory. “The way we went about it was good. We just need a little more goal threat, which should develop in the next few weeks. “We really should have gone on and got a second. The subs played a key role today. When you can change half your outfield team it is crucial. The new subs law is going to make a big difference. “Hiram Boateng was outstanding today and he will be a fans favourite, he can make things happen and there's a lot more to come. “Christy Pym did his job with two good saves and kept us a clean sheet. Two chances conceded in 97 minutes, we will take that. “It was a good goalkeeping display, he is steady and calm and has been good ever since he came in.” -------------------------- Midfielder pleased with Stags' first win mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 6th August 2022 Mansfield Town midfielder Hiram Boateng said he was pleased with claiming the Man of the Match award on his home league debut for the Stags, but was even happier that the team came away with the win against Tranmere this afternoon. Boateng, a summer signing from MK Dons, assisted the decisive goal of the game as his cross from a corner was headed in by loanee Riley Harbottle. Speaking to iFollow Stags after today’s match, Boateng said: “I’m pleased with the award today, but more pleased with the three points, delighted. “[I’m happy] we managed to put last week right and get the win today.” https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/boateng-on-tranmere-win/ Boateng went on to praise the rest of his teammates on today’s performance and especially the passing ability on show today: “I think the team really clicked well today. “We know we’ve got good quality in the side, it’s just about everyone playing freely with confidence, and everyone pulling in the same direction. “Hopefully this kicks us on to a good run of form.” On Stags’ slick passing play, Boateng said: “I think it’s something the team knows we’re capable of. We do it every day in training and have been doing it throughout pre-season. “I feel it’s a real strong point in the side, we’ve got the players to do it, so I think if everyone continues in the same form as we have done, we should be alright.” Speaking on what attracted him to One Call Stadium, Boateng explained that the team’s achievements last season was a big factor, and that he thinks he can help the team finish higher up the table this season. “I think the team were unlucky not to get promoted [last season]. “It’s a team that I feel is really strong in this league, and myself knowing the league and having some conversations with the manager, he really just sold it to me. “I’ve been enjoying my time so far and hopefully that may continue.” Boateng said that he will keep trying to impress the Stags’ fans with his performances. “I try and give my 100% every time I play, that’s all I can do. “[I want to] give my full efforts and keep trying to impress the fans and keep trying to make my family and myself proud as well.” ---------------------- Hiram Boateng hoping Mansfield Town can kick on after first win of the season chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 6th August 2022 Summer signing Harim Boateng is keen to see Mansfield Town kick on. Riley Harbottle scored the only goal as Stags squeezed past Tranmere for their first win of the campaign. And Boateng knows it is just what the doctor ordered. “We know we’ve got good quality in the side,” said the former MK Dons man. “I think the team really clicked well today. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/hiram-boateng-hoping-mansfield-town-can-kick-on-after-first-win-of-the-season-3796468 “It’s just about everyone playing freely with confidence, and everyone pulling in the same direction. “I think the team were unlucky not to get promoted last season. “It’s a team that I feel is really strong in this league, and myself knowing the league and having some conversations with the manager, he really just sold it to me. “I’ve been enjoying my time so far and hopefully that may continue. “I think good passing is something the team knows we’re capable of. We do it every day in training and have been doing it throughout pre-season. “I feel it’s a real strong point in the side, we’ve got the players to do it, so I think if everyone continues in the same form as we have done, we should be alright.” Boateng landed the man-the-match award against Tranmere after a commanding display in the heart of midfield. “I try and give my 100 per cent every time I play, that’s all I can do,” he said. “I want to give my full efforts and keep trying to impress the fans and keep trying to make my family and myself proud as well. “I’m pleased with the award today, but more pleased with the three point.” -------------------- 'Gutted' Micky Mellon urges Tranmere Rovers to keep working hard as they search for first point of the season chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 6th August 2022 Tranmere boss Micky Mellon admitted his side are still off the pace following their 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town. Riley Harbottle’s second-half header proved to be the difference between the two sides as Rovers slipped to their second straight defeat. But while Mellon admitted he was gutted for his players he was pleased with the efforts shown. “I can’t fault the lads for their effort and running power,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/gutted-micky-mellon-urges-tranmere-rovers-to-keep-working-hard-as-they-search-for-first-point-of-the-season-3796308 “We had a good go and were competitive. There were moments when we can still do better with the ball and we are nowhere near where we want to get to. “We can do better but there are plenty more positives to take this week. I’m gutted for the players, I think we started the second half as the better team, we had a 15 minute spell where we couldn’t quite convert but then we didn’t really create anything. “To lose another goal to a set-piece is not good enough, we can’t be losing goals from set pieces. To lose the goal how we did was a sore one. “We kicked on and huffed and puffed and got behind them “If we had had a bit more quality or fortune it could have gone our way.” Upbeat Mellon now wants to see his side keep working hard to turn their poor start around. “The players kept going and we have to keep our heads up and keep banging away at it,” he said. “Paul Lewis had a great chance at the end. He did really well. There were a lot of decent performances but we understand that we have to keep improving and we will work hard to keep improving. “The fight was there and we showed that we have the quality to get results. “We have to build on it, keep working hard and it will come.” ------------------- Micky's Mansfield reaction https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2022/august/mickys-accrington-reaction/ Rovers boss Micky Mellon insists there are positives to take from Saturday's performance, despite a frustrating defeat on the road at Mansfield. A second half strike from Mansfield's Riley Harbottle would prove to be the difference between the sides, as the SWA were condemned to a loss on their first away trip of the campaign by last season’s beaten playoff finalists. Micky gave his thoughts on the game after the full time whistle, highlighting the positives to take from the performance, but admitting that Rovers are far from their best at the moment. "I couldn't fault them in terms of effort and endeavour and running power, we had a right good go at it. We had our moments, but we can do better still with the ball, we're still nowhere near where we want to get to. But, there's plenty more positives this week. "I'm gutted for them, because I think we started the second half as the better team. That fifteen minute spell, (we) couldn't quite convert at the end, but there wasn't really any chances in that spell. "Then to lose another goal to a set play, we understand that's not good enough. We can't be losing goals from set plays, I know they do happen but you can't be doing that. To lose it when we did was a sore one. "But, we kept going, we huffed and puffed a little bit, we kept working hard and we got behind them. We could have shown a bit more quality at times, or a wee bit of fortune could have gone our way. We had a Paul Lewis effort that was a bit unfortunate. "Listen, they kept going. We keep going, we keep our heads up and we keep banging away at it." ----------------------- David Sharpe @DavidSharpe91 Up and running! Well done to all the boys and thank you for the support! ---------------- |
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