Archived News from February 2014
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STILL NO BID FOR CLUCAS
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Cox: Players are feeling positive
mansfieldtown.net, 30th January 2014 Manager Paul Cox says there is a positive atmosphere in the camp ahead of our long trip to Plymouth Argyle. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-players-are-feeling-positive-1327427.aspx#kDIYCrXKyXu3AJRt.99 Our team are set to make the gruelling 266-mile trek to Plymouth tomorrow and stay overnight, ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture at Home Park. Having lost only one of our last six matches - a 2-0 reverse to Scunthorpe United nearly three weeks ago - Cox is optimistic that we can continue our impressive recent form. “The players now seem to be in a good place,” said our boss. “Nobody is getting carried away and we’re not singing from the rooftops, but even the neutrals would say we clearly deserved to win the game [against Wycombe Wanderers] with the amount of chances that we created. “Once again we found a goalkeeper in inspired form, but I’m getting tired of saying that. We just need to be a bit more ruthless in both boxes.” Cox continued: “I can’t ask any more from my players. They’re working hard and we’ve got something to build on now. There’s a good feeling amongst us and a positiveness within the camp. “We’ve got some tough fixtures coming up, but when you look at this league only the top seven are really guaranteed to, at the least, be in this division next season. “So I think there’s going to be a lot of twists and turns and there’s going to be a lot of anxiety from a lot of football clubs in this league, between now and the end of the season. “But talking about us, we’re working hard, we’re looking very hard to beat and more than anything, and more than anything, we’re creating some good chances. “What we need to do now is just be more ruthless.” Our team’s momentum was hampered earlier this week when our scheduled match with Bury had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at One Call Stadium. Reflecting on the postponement, Cox said: “It was disappointing, but we can’t control the weather. We’ve just get to get our heads round it and move on. “I think we’re picking up a bit of momentum. We’ve had one defeat in six games and the boys did enough last Saturday to win two football matches, nevermind one.” Elsewhere, Cox also revealed that he hasn’t had any phone calls in the past week from clubs enquiring about frontman Sam Clucas, who has scored 11 goals in 26 appearances this term. He added: “I haven’t one phone call, but there is still 24 hours [in the transfer window] to go. “Sam is a very good player and a lovely kid as well. He comes in and works hard and I’m sure at some point he’ll make the step up, but I think at this minute his learning curve is with us.” Clucas could make his first start since in over six weeks in Saturday’s match at Home Park, whilst team-mate Ben Hutchinson is also fit again after injury. Paul Cox's full interview from today's press meeting will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe, click here. ------------- Still no move for Stags star Clucas chad.co.uk, 30 January 2014 Sam Clucas remains a Mansfield Town player today, but boss Paul Cox admitted anything could happen between now and tomorrow night’s transfer window deadline. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/still-no-move-for-stags-star-clucas-1-6406659#.Uuo59XXqU9k.twitter Stags’ talented youngster, who is currently top scorer, is said to be a target of a Championship club. Clucas, who has just returned from injury this week and came on as a substitute last weekend, could be in line for a start at Plymouth on Saturday- if he is still with the club. “I have not had a phone call or any enquiries for Sam yet, but 24 hours is a long time in football,” said Cox. “I would like to just switch my phone off, but I can’t do that. “Sam is a lovely kid and works extremely hard. I am sure at some point he will make the step up. “He is on a learning curve and I want him to stay with us and make the next part of his journey with us. “He has been able to shrug off the speculation as he has broad shoulders. There have been jokes in training and a bit of banter, but he has taken it in his stride.” On Clucas’ fitness, Cox added: “He came in after a couple of days as stiff as a board. “Do I start him on Saturday? It’s a tough one and a decision I need to make with my head and not my heart. “My heart tells me to chuck him in. But he is a quality footballer and I have got to be careful as we have some important games coming up between now and the end of the season. Rushing players can sometimes put them back.” Ben Hutchinson is also ready to rejoin the squad after injury. “We have to be even more careful with Ben as it was a muscle injury,” said Cox. “I will speak to them both and if they feel fit enough they may play on Saturday.” ---------------- Stags boss Cox hits back at Flitcroft comments chad.co.uk, 30 January 2014 Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox has hit back at comments made by Bury manager David Flitcroft that Stags might deliberately rough up their pitch for opponents, following the postponement of the sides’ scheduled clash at One Call Stadium on Tuesday. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-boss-cox-hits-back-at-flitcroft-comments-1-6406452#.Uuo0H24EBWE.twitter Flitcroft is reported to have said: “To be honest, we weren’t surprised the game was postponed and had already planned a training session,” he said. “We heard stories that Mansfield have been training on the pitch, in a bid to rough it up and make it difficult for visiting sides. “That’s their decision, but if you aren’t going to look after your pitch then there’s a good chance you will lose matches to rain.” However, Cox hit back: “I find those comments disrespectful if they were made. “I don’t like to comment on other clubs and I am not going to get involved in a war of words. But anyone could tell the pitch was borderline on Saturday and Mez (groundsman Michael Merriman) has worked extremely hard on it. So I won’t lose any sleep over this.” The game has now been rearranged for Tuesday, 11th February. -------------------- |
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