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Archived News from October 2013

COX ON SHEFF.U LINK+MURRAY / MURRAY RESPONDS
22nd October 2013 0:11


Murray sets the record straight over fall-out with Mansfield Town manager Cox
chad.co.uk, 14 October 2013 17:31

Mansfield Town assistant manager and club skipper Adam Murray said he wanted to set the record straight for supporters over his current bust-up with manager Paul Cox - and claims he was invited to leave the club in the summer.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/murray-sets-the-record-straight-over-fall-out-with-mansfield-town-manager-cox-1-6146206

Murray has been out on loan at Evo-Stik League neighbours Rainworth MW for the past month, but, with relationships clearly deteriorating, he now wants to stay at Kirklington Road and help the Wrens set up a new U19 scholarship scheme.

Cox today claimed he had read that Murray was involved in a new footballing Academy at Rainworth but had not been told this by Murray.

The manager is due to discuss the Murray situation with chairman John Radford tonight.

However, Murray today told Chad: “I just want to clear up this situation from my point of view.

“I have asked to go on loan, but it is obviously not because I want to leave.

“I was told by the manager in the summer he thought it best we went separate ways. I respect the gaffer’s opinions and decisions and, although disappointed, I feel it’s best for the team if I step out of the way and allow them to concentrate on winning games.

“I am not heading an Academy at Rainworth. I was asked, if I extended my loan at Rainworth, if I would be able to help with the coaching side to which I agreed.

“Coaching is my future and it gives me the opportunity to do this.

“I worked on putting Stags’ Academy together last year, but did not have the opportunity to carry it through.

“When I returned to the club I stated I wanted to play a big part into getting us in to the League and also that I wanted this to be my last professional club. I aim to stick to that plan.

“I have always and always will be committed to this club and it will always be bigger than any situation.

“With me not being in the plans I feel it’s best for me to step out of the picture. My position is untenable at the minute and I wish the lads, gaffer and fans every success.”

A story on a national website suggests Stags may be about to make a move for former Tranmere Rovers, Hereford United, Motherwell and Coventry City play-maker Steve Jennings.

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video interview with Paul Cox for StagsPlayer subscribers
http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/3495106/date/20131014113500/page/0/name/Video:-Paul-Cox-on-vacant-Blades'-post-and-recent-form

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Cox calls for consistency
mansfieldtown.net 14th October 2013

Manager Paul Cox wants our players to produce consistent displays, as we look to return to winning ways at Torquay United this weekend.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-calls-for-consistency-1113816.aspx#9k8jOhgzT8KyCCEF.99
Paul Cox is speaking to our Head of Media & Communications Mark Stevenson and the Chad's John Lomas at this morning's press meeting.

Our team, who currently sit in seventh position in the Sky Bet League table, earned a point from their home meeting with Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Lee Stevenson’s first goal in the Football League put us on course for victory, but the Pirates levelled late on to earn a well-deserved share of the spoils.

“I’ve been very analytical of our performances of late. The two poor performances have been directly after we’ve played Chesterfield,” said our boss.

“There was an awful lot of energy that went into the two games with Chesterfield, and if you analyse Chesterfield’s results, they’ve almost mirrored ourselves.

“The players were pumped up, as were the supporters of both teams, and sometimes it can leave you feeling a little bit drained.

“After the first game, we had a few tired legs. The players are human beings and you can’t stop them getting tired or feeling emotion.

“Hindsight is a great thing. Should I have put a few extra fresh legs in on Saturday, or for the match against Hartlepool? Maybe.”

Cox added: “We’re 11 games into the season now and we’re sat in a Play-Off position. As a whole, the club needs to understand how far we’ve come in a very short space of time.

“We’ve still only lost two games out of 11 and that’s a massive ‘pat on the back’ to the players. What I’m looking for now is consistency in our performances and results.

“We need to raise the bar again and put together the kind of performances that we did in the early part of the season, but sometimes grind out results.

“What we’ve got to realise is who we are. We’ve just been promoted from the league below, so we’ve got no divine right to go and beat anybody.

“As long as we’re learning and improving as a football club, I’ll be happy, because we need to get our feet back firmly on the ground.

“We’ve had an excellent two years, nobody can deny that, but we need to earn the right to win football matches again.”

Our boss has also dismissed speculation printed in a tabloid newspaper this weekend, linking him with the current managerial vacancy at Sheffield United.

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s been no contact from Sheffield United,” said Cox. “The only post I’m interested in at the present time is the one at Mansfield Town.

“It’s nice that people are talking about me and think that I’m doing a good job, but this is speculation and just that, so I’ll get my head down and keep trying to do a good job here.”

Meanwhile, Cox has also confirmed that midfielder Adam Murray has requested to have his loan spell at Rainworth Miners Welfare extended.

“Adam is back [at the club] for treatment on an injury, but he’s asked to have his loan extended,” said Cox.

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Mansfield Town manager Cox dismisses Sheffied United job link
chad.co.uk, 14 October 2013

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox said this morning he had heard nothing from Sheffield United after a national newspaper story linked him with the vacant Blades post.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-manager-cox-dismisses-sheffied-united-job-link-1-6144632

Cox has been riding on the crest of a wave after taking Stags to the play-offs and then the title in successive seasons. So, after then taking them into the play-off spots in League Two after just 11 games at this level, it was almost inevitable his name would start to be linked with jobs.

However, Cox said today: “There is nothing in it as far as I am concerned.

“Until another club contacts the chairman it’s just speculation as far as I am concerned. I am already seeing him tonight for a chat.

“The only post I am interested in is Mansfield Town. I am employed by them until the chairman tells me otherwise, good or bad. I am here until he sacks me or accepts an offer from someone else.

“It’s nice that people are talking about me and thinking I am doing a good job. I will just get on with it, get my head down and do a good job here.”

Cox said he would be speaking to chairman John Radford tonight about the situation with his assistant, Adam Murray, with the two engaging in a war of words over the weekend, Murray wanting to stay out on loan at Rainworth and become involved with their new U19 scholarship scheme.

“As far as I am concerned Adam Murray will be in this morning here for treatment for an injury,” he said.

“He has asked to stay out on loan. But reading about him overseeing someone’s academy in the local press is all news to me.”

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Stags back on the road after triple home frustration
chad.co.uk

Mansfield Town head off for two away games in four days at struggling clubs this week, hoping to quickly put last week’s home misery out of their systems.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-back-on-the-road-after-triple-home-frustration-1-6149512?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Stags have the long haul down to Torquay United on Saturday (3pm) followed by a game at Bury on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Paul Cox’s men have just failed to win any of three home games in eight days with the manager convinced the two poor showings among them against Hartlepool and in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers were largely down to fatigue after local derby games with Chesterfield.

“I am being very analytical and our two poor performances have come directly after we have played Chesterfield. If you analyse their results they have mirrored ourselves,” he said.

“We put a lot of energy into those games. The players were pumped up, both sets of supporters were pumped up and sometimes it can leave you a bit drained.

“But we are 11 games in, we’ve only lost twice and we are in a play-off position. The club needs to understand how far it has come in a very short space of time.

“The players deserve a massive pat on the back. Now I am looking for consistency in performances and results. We need to grind out some horrible results. If we do that we will be okay.

“We have to realise who we are. We have just been promoted from the league below and we have to divine right to go and beat anyone.

“As long as we are learning and improving as a football club I will be happy.”

He added: “We have to get our feet firmly on the ground and realise we have had an excellent two years. It’s been a whirlwind. But that’s gone now and I am only concerned with the future.

“It’s a long old season and there will be twists and turns as there always is in life. We can’t expect to just turn up and win a football match. Respect of the opposition is the key.

“We know there are no easy games at this level. This table is a bit mismatched as there are some very good sides near the bottom, as we’ve seen with Hartlepool, and some big clubs that haven’t woken up yet.”

Stags Supporters Association Amber members can travel to Saturday’s game at Torquay for a tenner.

Cost for SSA Blue members is £15 and non-SSA members £25. Ring 07967 689597 to book

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Mansfield are weighing up a move for free agent Steve Jennings
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo
October 14, 2013 3:25pm
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29025/8972481?
Sky Sports understands Mansfield Town are weighing up a move for former Coventry midfielder Steve Jennings.

Jennings is a free agent after having his contract at Coventry cancelled by mutual consent in September.

A number of clubs are thought to have expressed an interest in Jennings, but Mansfield are hoping to win the race for his services.

The 28-year-old has linked up with the League Two club for training so that manager Paul Cox can cast an eye over him.

If Jennings impresses during his training stint, he could be offered a deal at Field Mill as Cox is keen to add to his midfield options.

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Latest | October 2013