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Archived News from October 2013

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1st October 2013 16:08


Cox looks forward to derby match
mansfieldtown.net, 24th September 2013

Manager Paul Cox has revealed that there is a grounded, level-headed nature within our squad, ahead of our trip to fierce local rivals Chesterfield this weekend.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-looks-forward-to-derby-match-1074506.aspx#s5Z2MM9k8csqRS1T.99

Our team head to the Proact Stadium positioned in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off zone, following their superb 3-0 victory over Northampton Town last Saturday.

Nevertheless, Chesterfield have also enjoyed a near-faultless start to the new campaign.

The Spireites have dropped just two points so far this term, and, as a result, are four points clear of their nearest rivals at the top of the table.

“We’ll be working extremely hard this week and we’ll be giving it our all to try and get a result on Saturday,” said our boss.

“I’ve got to be professional and look at (Saturday’s) game as being just like any other, but I do understand what it means to the supporters.

“We’ve come a long way, very quickly. We’re still learning and we’re still improving and it’s another tasty game for us.”

Cox continued: “These players are giving everything to do well for this football club and that’s all I can ask.

“They’re a grounded, level-headed bunch and they understand our strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, they’re a tight-knit group.

“The lads understand what I want off them. As a group of people, the very least that we do is work extremely hard.”

In reflection to last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Northampton Town, Cox added: “I thought that it was a very physical game and it took a lot out of us, both physically and mentally.

“So we’ve tried to ‘build the lads in’ this week. We’ll have tomorrow off to try and recuperate, and then have two good days (of training) before we kick-off against Chesterfield.”

Paul Cox’s full interview is available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here.

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Mansfield Town aiming to end Chesterfield’s 100 per cent home record
chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill, 24 September 2013

Mansfield Town will be battling 100 per cent to give their fans the bragging rights against bitter rivals Chesterfield on Saturday.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-aiming-to-end-chesterfield-s-100-per-cent-home-record-1-6080063

That is the promise of Stags boss Paul Cox as he prepares his on-form side to face their fierce rivals for the first time since Chesterfield dumped Stags out of the FA Cup in November 2008.

Fifth-placed Mansfield are currently on the wave of a seven game unbeaten streak but know they will face one of the toughest games of the season against the big spending league leaders.

Chesterfield currently sit top of the League Two table and boast a 100 per cent record at home and the league’s only unbeaten record.

“The bragging rights are there and we know what this game means for the fans,” said Cox.

“We have got be professional about this and treat it like any other game. It is a great game to get our teeth into, these are the games that we come into football for.

“We have got to treat it as three points and, as a manager, I have got to look at this professionally. We will be working extremely hard and will give it our all on Saturday.

“The players are very excited about this game. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic and the players are going to be pumped up.

“Games like this are about making sure the players are relaxed, that they are focused and that they look at this game as a 90 minute game.”

But Cox knows that. even if Stags taste defeat for the first time since the opening day loss at Scunthorpe. This club is making excellent progress.

“I think we have come a long way very quickly, we are still learning and developing,” said Cox.

“It is important the players do not get carried away and continue to do what they are doing.

“I have got to make sure that my heart does not rule my head and that we look at the whole game as a bigger picture.

“Chesterfield have got a good group of players to choose from. They have made an impressive start to the season, but we have been learning quickly and improving all the time, this is going to be a very tight game.

“My players are giving me and the club everything they have and that is all I can ask for.

“It was all about believing in ourselves, once we got over that first hurdle and started to believe in ourselves we have been ok.

“We are a real tight-knit group and we will continue to work hard for each other. As long as we keep progressing I will be happy.

“I hope that this game doesn’t fizzle out, that it is played in the right spirit and is a great spectacle for both sets of fans.”

Mansfield, who will be roared on by nearly 2,000 fans, will be without injured midfielder Chris Clements and the suspended Martin Riley.

Striker Ben Hutchinson, who was subbed after picking up a tight hamstring against Northampton, is expected to be available.

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Mansfield Town have ‘no special plans’ to shut Chesterfield winger Gary Roberts out of League Two derby
chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill, 24 September 2013

Mansfield boss Paul Cox says he has no special plans to keep flying Chesterfield winger Gary Roberts quiet.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town-have-no-special-plans-to-shut-chesterfield-winger-gary-roberts-out-of-league-two-derby-1-6080302

Roberts has played a staring role in Chesterfield’s march to the top of the League Two table since joining from Swindon Town in the summer.

The former Huddersfield Town star has scored four times so far this season and is likely to cause Stags trouble when the two sides lock horns on Saturday for the first time in five seasons.

But Cox says Roberts is not going to be the main focus of Mansfield Town’s attention as they look to shatter Spireites’ unbeaten start to the season.

“We will do our homework on Chesterfield like we would do on any team,” said Cox.

“Chesterfield’s manager has got a good group of players to work with, but we don’t have any plans to concentrate on their individual players.

“Chesterfield have had an impressive start to the season, it’s a start I would not mind having.

“We will focus on what we are good at. We have our strengths and can cause them problems.

“We will go there giving it all we have got and hopefully that will be enough to get us the win.”

Chesterfield claimed the bragging rights the last time the bitter rivals last met after knocking Stags out of the FA Cup in November 2008.

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Latest | October 2013