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Archived News from December 2011

COX, PAUL HURST REACTION
9th December 2011 11:42


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VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15933181.stm

Mansfield manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"The performance could have been better but the result at the end of the day was, I think, a good point.

"Through the majority of the games this season sometimes Mazza hasn't been called upon within the 90 minutes, and I think he's come here tonight and put in an exceptional performance.

"At times, he's probably kept us in the game but that's what he's paid to do and on nights like this, you need an outstanding player, when we had one or two that were probably off the boil, to get us the point."


Grimsby Town joint boss Paul Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I thought we put in a big effort. On another night we could have quite easily won that.

"We had the better chances, and probably just had that bit of luck missing.

"It was difficult because I think teams now are looking at the last scoreline we had against Stockport and come and get men behind the ball, and that's what they did tonight."

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Mansfield 103.2 post match interview with Paul Cox
http://soundcloud.com/mansfield-103-2-sport/sets/06-12-2011-grimsby-town-0

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Mansfield Town boss Cox happy with Grimsby draw
chad.co.uk

STAGS manager Paul Cox was very happy to leave Blundell Park with a point and a clean sheet after a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield_town_boss_cox_happy_with_grimsby_draw_1_4035733

Home side Grimsby Town had the better chances on the night, but couldn't find a way past the superb Alan Marriot while home keeper James McDonald also played his part in preserving the stalemate.

“It was a game for keepers tonight and I was very happy with Alan's performance,” said Cox.

“He kept us in the game and got a clean sheet which is what we pay him for.

“There are times this season when he hasn't been called on at all during matches, but tonight he came here and put in an exceptional performance.

“The game was a bit on a non-entity tonight. But we have to be pleased on a freezing cold night, coming away to a good side on a good run of form and taking away a point and a clean sheet.

“I think this will be a very difficult place for other teams to come between now and the end of the season.”

He added: “I thought we were sloppy in possession tonight and not as good going forward as we have in our last two games. We looked solid but had lost a bit of sharpness going forward.

“Having said that Matt Green might have scored when through one on one. And their keeper has saved well from Louis Briscoe at the end.

“We seem to be looking more coherent as a side and settled in playing our parts and roles in the 4-3-3 shape. We are looking hard to beat.”

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Cox: Stags away run so impressive
Nottingham Post, Thursday, December 08, 2011

PAUL Cox saluted his Mansfield Town players for their performances on the road.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14078275-detail/story.html

The Stags have only lost once in league encounters away from Field Mill coming up to the halfway point of the season – their opener at Gateshead.

They put in a typically obdurate display on Tuesday night against an in-form Grimsby to earn a 0-0 draw.

Boss Cox believes that kind of determination in away games is why Mansfield are on course to reach his target of 40 points from 23 games, should they beat Southport in their final pre-Christmas game a week on Saturday.

"I think Grimsby are one of the better teams at this level and it won't be long before they are climbing the table, so it was a good point," he said.

"Sometimes we need to start congratulating the lads because we have only lost four games all season and just one away.

"I know some people's expectations are that we should be doing even better, but it's a tough league and as hard as I have seen it this year.

"If we don't lose at Southport we will have gone through half a season since our first game without losing away.

"That's a tremendous effort and those are the kind of positives we should be looking to build on.

"If you look at some of the places we have got results at, they have not been easy places either.

"What we need to do now is take advantage by beating more clubs at home."

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Hutchinson handed Stags chance by Cox
Nottingham Post, Wednesday, December 07, 2011

FORMER Middlesbrough and Celtic striker Ben Hutchinson will play for Mansfield Town in a friendly at Eastwood today as Paul Cox steps up his efforts to replace the departed Paul Connor.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14067483-detail/story.html

The 24-year-old was snapped up by Boro from Arnold Town while still a teenager and later moved north of the border to join the then Scottish champions.

But Cox says the player, now under contract until January 1 at Kilmarnock, has lost his way and 'needs his fire re-lighting.'

Having brought the Nottingham-born player through Eastwood's academy before he left for Arnold, the Stags boss believes he can do that.

Hutchinson – who watched Mansfield draw 0-0 at Grimsby last night – has been training with the Stags and will get the chance to stake a claim for a deal at Field Mill.

Connor left to go part-time and joined Gainsborough last week.

"I know a lot about Ben and just how much he can play – you don't play in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues if you don't have ability.

"He hit the stars early but it hasn't gone right for him since. He's not enjoyed it and if you don't it doesn't matter how good you are – it will affect you.

"Ben knows me well and now he has to help me help him and get him back on track."

Cox will also take a look at Irish forward Anto Flood, 26, at Coronation Park.

He said: "Anto is a different prospect, someone who has plied his trade in the tough Irish league. He is 6ft 2ins and had a reputation for scoring some good goals for Bohemians last season."

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