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Archived News from December 2011

COX AND MARCUS KELLY, DAVE PACE REACTION
15th December 2011 18:34


Paul Cox tells Mansfield 103.2: "We were crap". Cox revealed that the players will be back in training on Sunday morning.

He said: "Prior to the game, I said that this would be a test for minds and I want to build a squad here that wants to win things.

It's obvious that I've got one or two who don't want to win things because on days like this it's where winners are made.

I didn't have any in the side today ... well, I had one or two, to be honest, but you never win football matches with one or two."

Interviews from Mansfield 103.2 --->
http://soundcloud.com/mansfield-103-2-sport/sets/10-12-2011-droylsden-2


Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"A little bit lost for words at the minute. That's not us. Something will have to be done about it. They (Droylsden) ran harder, they tackled harder, they passed the ball better. They had more desire the win the game. If we start losing the desire, it's a slippery slope.

We didn't start until 15 minutes to go. The supporters that came didn't deserve that. performances like that I can't tolerate.

That today was lack-lustre. I've told one or two, and I told one or two at half-time, don't come knocking on my door when changes are made and you're not in the side.

If people are not going to play with pride and passion and commitment, then ... We didn't perform at all.

The pitch was the same for both sides. No excuses."

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Marcus Kelly interview from BBC Radio Nottingham. Listen here.

"Two sloppy goals costs us.

We're in training tomorrow to put things right.

The manager feels some of us didn't work to 100%, but I feel we did. No player goes out there just to chuck it in.

The conditions made it impossible to defend, but no excuses."

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http://www.droylsdenfc.com

Bloods boss Dave Pace was delighted. "We had to perform today, as otherwise we may have got battered. I am addressing our inconsistency, but credit to the lads today, they battled well, played football at times, and controlled the game for long periods".

... for Cox's side, who was gracious in defeat:
" I asked for one thing only today, but we lacked the desire I'd hoped for. What was needed here were hearts, lungs and legs and the quality of our players should have then seen us through, but Droylsden showed more desire than us, they tackled well, passed well, ran harder and threw bodies in the way". He added "we only came to life in the last 15 minutes, and thats not good enough, but the buck stops with me and changes in personnel will be made. Yes, the pitch was heavy, but thats no excuse as it was the same for both sides".

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http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/non_league/s/1467676_non-league-round-up-droylsden-eyes-on-the-prize

Droylsden boss Dave Pace backed his unpredictable Bloods to deliver more FA Trophy shocks after seeing them knock out last season's beaten finalists Mansfield to advance to the last-32 stage.

Dale Johnson struck twice to secure Droylsden a famous 2-1 victory which leaves Pace itching for another high-profile home tie in today's second round draw.

The Butcher's Arms chief, who'd admitted beforehand he had no idea what to expect from his inconsistent team, said: “We knew we had to perform and we did just that to stop Mansfield in their tracks.

“Now I'd love to see us entertain another of the big boys – Luton, Stockport, whoever.

“After all our recent FA Cup success, it's about time we did something in the Trophy.”

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Furious Stags boss orders players in for extra training after FA Trophy exit at Droylesden
chad.co.uk

PAUL Cox ordered his side into extra training tomorrow morning and apologised to fans after their poor showing in today's 2-1 FA Trophy defeat at Conference North side Droylsden.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/furious_stags_boss_orders_players_in_for_extra_training_after_fa_trophy_exit_at_droylesden_1_4050641

Cox was furious at the final whistle with what he perceived to be a lack of effort and application from his side until the last 15 minutes, when Matt Green pulled a goal back.

Cox was certainly not pulling any verbal punches and snapped: “That was our worst performance of the season.

“It was bad as we were at Gateshead and I will not accept a performance like that.

“They will be in tomorrow morning to do some running – simple as that.

“I apologise to fans and if I could afford it I would probably give them all their money back. They didn't deserve what they saw today.

“I thought we were crap from start to finish. We only started to play for the last 15 minutes and you can't expect to win games by only playing for the last 15 minutes.

“I want to field a side that wants to win things. But there were only two or three who looked like winners for us today and that's not enough.

“When you come to places like this on a quagmire of a pitch in driving rain, you have to earn the right, not just turn up and expect to win.

“All I asked of them today were lungs, hearts, desire and application. Then if we wanted it as bad as Droylsden did I thought our extra quality would see us through.

“But I didn't see any of those things today from us. We were lacklustre. Droylsden put their heads and bodies on the line. Their desire won them the game today.

“They ran harder, tackled harder and passed the ball better than us.

“We knew this was a potential banana skin today but good teams come to places like this and go away with a result.”

He added: “We have a big week ahead now and the January transfer window will soon be here.

“Players have to start working hard and doing what they are told. Or they will be gone. I will have them in Christmas Day if I have to.

“These lads are looked after well here, pampered in fact, and they have to start giving a little bit back.

“If need be I will pick a side that may lack a little quality but would run through a brick wall for the club and give 100 per cent.”

Debutant Marcus Kelly said: “We gave away two sloppy goals and it cost us.

“All we can do is work hard now to put things right.

“We are very disappointed but we all gave 100 per cent. The gaffer didn't think we did but no player goes out there to chuck it in.

“The conditions were bad and it was almost impossible underfoot. But that is not an excuse.”

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Stags boss: Cup exit worst performance of season
Nottingham Post

SEETHING Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox labelled Mansfield Town's humbling FA Trophy exit at Blue Square North side Droyslden as the club's worst performance of the season.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14114467-detail/story.html

And he warned his players after the 2-1 defeat at the Butchers Arms on Saturday that they risk the axe if they do not get their act together quickly.

Two Dale Johnson goals put paid to the Stags, despite a late reply from Matt Green – his 14th of the season.

Cox hauled his players in at 10am yesterday morning to get the message across he will not accept such 'lacklustre' performances.

"We were rubbish. You can't just play for the final 15 minutes and expect to win a football match," said Cox.

"Prior to the game I said it would be a test of our mindset. I want to build a squad of winners who can get positive results in games like that, but obviously we have got one or two who don't want to win things.

"We were lacking desire, passion and commitment. It was as bad as the 60 minutes at Gateshead (where Mansfield lost 3-0 in their first away game of the season) – and I did not accept that either.

"People may point to the pitch being a quagmire, but it was the same for both sides.

"I apologise to the fans and if I could afford to I would give them all their money back."

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Fuming Cox warns his players
Nottingham Post

STAGS boss Paul Cox has warned some of his players not to come knocking on his door after their FA Trophy exit.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14114460-detail/story.html

After the 2-1 loss to Droylsden, he said: "I told one or two (players) at half-time and at full-time to not come knocking on my door if personnel changes after that.

"Players may be in contract until the end of the season or end of next year, but I have to do my job if people are not doing the basics."

And Cox believes Mansfield are tending to over-complicate matters in the attacking third.

He added: "It annoyed me that we started to play, tackle and put the ball in the box only when it was too late.

"We scored our goal by simplifying the game, just getting a decent cross into the area and someone getting on the end of it.

"I think one or two think they are too good for this level and we want to score as if we are Brazil or Barcelona, when we are not.

"We have got important games coming up over Christmas and individuals have to start playing to their strengths and working harder."

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