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COX, REDMOND AND MARK ATKINS REACTION
28th November 2012 22:22




Cox: It was dire

video interview with Paul Cox and Shane Redmond
Manager Paul Cox has described our performance in today's 1-1 draw with Matlock Town as 'dire'.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-no-ex-506422.aspx

The Stags lacked fight, urgency and determination against a gritty and resolute Gladiators side, who squandered several chances to win the game and record what would have been a deserved cup shock.

“It was dire today,” said Cox, who was speaking directly after the game.

“I can't tell what was wrong today, but from back to front we didn't look good and it was a poor performance. It was a bad day at the office and it's as simple as that.”

Skipper Adam Murray claimed his first goal in competitive action since April 2011 to fire us ahead on 25 minutes, before Lewis McMahon leveled before half-time.

And the Gladiators, who play in the Evo-Stik Premier League, almost won the game in the dying minutes of the second period, when John Thompson had to clear Brad Grayson's goal bound effort off the line.

Cox continued: “The lads know they've let themselves, and the supporters, down today.

“All the good performances over the last two to three weeks mean nothing, because we let ourselves down and showed the same bad habits that we did earlier in the season.”

Our replay at Matlock's Causeway Lane ground will take place on Tuesday 27 November (kick-off 7.45pm).

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'We let the fans down', blasts Stags boss after FA Trophy draw with Matlock
chad.co.uk

MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox was angry to see his side forced into an unwanted FA Trophy replay at Matlock on Tuesday night after being held 1-1 at home in the first round tie today.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/we-let-the-fans-down-blasts-stags-boss-after-fa-trophy-draw-with-matlock-1-5166186

Stags looked tired in their third game in seven days on a very heavy pitch and were endebted to Shane Redmond in the end for some good goalkeeping, including a penalty save.

Manager Cox said: “We let ourselves down today and we let the supporters down.

“That was poor. It was lacklustre and quite an arrogant display if I'm honest. We didn't deserve anything out of it.

“It was a third game in seven days on heavy pitches. But that's no excuse. These players are paid to play football.

“It is human nature to have games like that. But all the good things we have done in the last two or three weeks mean nothing today. We showed a few bad habits coming back in to bite us on the backside.”

“It was a good performance and that's what we came here to do,” said a delighted Matlock manager Mark Atkins.

“We are disappointed we didn't win the game but overall we are very happy and I was delighted with the way we tried to play the game.

“We had two or three opportunities in the second half which were good chances and with a bit of luck something might have fallen our way.

“Now we have another great game at home on Tuesday which will be reward for our fans who were absolutely fantastic today.”

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Paul Cox furious after Mansfield Town held
Nottingham Post

FURIOUS boss Paul Cox said he could have no excuses about 'arrogant' Mansfield Town being held by Matlock Town in the FA Trophy.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17425866-detail/story.html

But he said his side now has to rediscover their ruthless side to progress in tomorrow night's first round replay at Causeway Lane.

The Stags were poor in the 1-1 draw with the Gladiators and Cox said: "It was dire, as simple as that. I cannot use any more words to describe it. We were poor from back to front.

"It is Matlock's cup final and a potential banana skin like it was against Slough and it was a bad day at the office.

"It was lacklustre and quite an arrogant display and we deserved nothing from it.

"It is up to us to put it right. It is human nature to have days like this but what I am more worried about is our level of performance.

"Is it down to a lot of games in quick succession or something else? We are better than that. They let themselves down and they let the supporters down.

"All the good things we have done over the last few weeks and games mean nothing because we showed a few bad habits there that bit us on the backside earlier in the season.

"That was our third game in a week but the lads are paid to play football so no excuses, it was a bad performance. We were just not good enough. The only thing I can do is write it off."

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http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mansfieldvmtfc1213.html

A delighted Mark Atkins said afterwards "It was a good performance and that's what we came here to do.We're disappointed not to win the game but overall we're very happy and I'm delighted with the way we tried to play the game. Now we have another great game on Tuesday and it's a reward for our supporters who were fantastic today."

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http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-1-matlock-town-1-1-5168630

A delighted Mark Atkins said afterwards “It was a good performance and that's what we came here to do.

“We're disappointed not to win the game but overall we're very happy and I'm delighted with the way we tried to play the game. Now we have another great game on Tuesday and it's a reward for our supporters who were fantastic today.”

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