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Archived News from December 2014

MURRAY AND RICHARD MONEY REACTION
19th December 2014 18:25


Murray rues missed chances in cup defeat
mansfieldtown.net, 16th December 2014

Boss frustrated after FA Cup exit at hands of Cambridge United.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/murray-rues-missed-chances-in-cup-defeat-2148285.aspx#wFPqjIcZD2hMQJSU.99

Manager Adam Murray was bitterly frustrated that our team couldn’t find an equalising goal to force extra-time - and maybe even more - in tonight’s FA Cup second round replay with Cambridge United.

The Stags’ boss, who was speaking in his post-match interview, couldn’t fault our players work ethic, but rued missed chances and a poor first half showing from our side.

“I think for 45 minutes, we got application and hard work, but the first 40 minutes, because I thought we started well in the first five minutes, it wasn’t good enough and won’t be tolerated,” said Murray.

“There were some reality checks at half-time and we had a go in the second half, but we’re lacking a bit of quality. We can’t put that many balls into the box and enter the final third that many times and not score.

“I look at the first half and yes, we created chances, but you could have driven a bus through us at times. It’s not a 45 minutes that we’ll be accepting.

“From day one I’ve said that we want to play with an attacking style, but we have to have a disciplined structure.”

Murray also explained his reasons as to why we played a 3-4-3 formation.

He continued: “I think what the game needed was a few more attacking options up there. We wanted to get a little bit of pace down the sides and when we did start putting that pressure on and left one up front, so it was a case of sacrificing a defender and putting on another attacker.

“I don’t think I’ve seen us create that many chances in a long time, but the bottom line is we haven’t scored.”

One of game’s big incidents came on the stroke of added time when Luke Waterfall hooked the ball into the net, but the goal was chalked off due to a linesman’s flag.

Regarding the goal, Murray said: “As the game went on it just seemed like it was going to be one of those days where we weren’t going to stick it into the net.

“When it did go in, it was a disappointment that it didn’t count, but I think today proved that the challenge ahead is going to be a big one.”

It was also a big night for young striker Dan Fletcher, who made his debut as a second half substitute, replacing Lee Beevers.

On the 17-year-old 10-minute performance, our manager said: “I thought he was excellent when he came on. He looked a threat, he’s clever and he got on the shoulder [of the defender] a few times and possibly could have had himself a goal.

“So it was a great experience for him, but not the result overall that he wanted.”

Adam Murray’s post-match interview will be available on Stags Player later tonight. To subscribe, click here.

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Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray told BBC Radio Nottingham:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30390259

"It's disappointing because we had enough chances in the game to score. We can't moan about the goal that was ruled out because we should have scored.
"We are lacking that X-factor in front of goal. We should have had four in the first half and another three in the second.
"The scary thing is, though, we could have conceded 10. People need to take more responsibility defensively."

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Murray anger as Stags crash out of the FA Cup
chad.co.uk

Adam Murray lashed his side’s poor first 45 minutes display and lack of finishing tonight as Mansfield Town bowed out of the FA Cup 1-0 to a massively deflected Cambridge United winner.

http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/murray-anger-as-stags-crash-out-of-the-fa-cup-1-7008153

Sullay Kaikai’s goal came after just 10 minutes, and Stags’ luck was further out when Luke Waterfall had an 89th minute effort ruled out for offside.

Murray said the game underlined for him what a big job he has on his hands to turn the club’s fortunes round.

“We started well for the first five minutes. But, after that I thought we were poor in the first half and that won’t be tolerated,” he said.

“There were some reality checks at half-time, then we did have a go in the second half, but were lacking a bit of quality.

“You can’t put that many balls into the box or enter the final third that many times and not score. That’s the bottom line.

“And you could have driven a bus through us at the back at times.

“Today proved the challenge here is a big one and there is a lot of hard work to be done.

“It doesn’t matter how many good things there were, the bottom line is that in that first 45 minutes I didn’t recognise that team or certain individuals.

“From day one I have said I would play an attacking style, but you have to have a disciplined structure. Some players have to have a look at themselves.

“Some of them got carried away with themselves. But if they are not going to graft and show a desire to work for the team and themselves then they can look elsewhere.”

One bright moment was the full debut for 17-year-old striker Dan Fletcher, who caused Cambridge problems for the last nine minutes.

“Dan did extremely well when he came on and looked a threat,” said Murray. “He is clever and got on the shoulder a few times and could have had a goal. It was a great experience for him.

“As the game went on it looked like one of those days when you were not going to score and when we did score it didn’t count.

“We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves and sulk. We are in a battle and we have got to make sure we come out the other side. “People have to step forward to show they have the hunger, desire and passion to succeed at this football club.”

Cambridge manager Richard Money said: “The goal did take a deflection but it was a great move and a great break and he did get his shot off. I think we earned that bit of luck as the three or four passes before it were of really good quality.

“Sullay has been a bonus for us. He’s a young one who has come in and thrived. He gives us that sprinkle of stardust you want in your team.

“I thought we looked interesting up front to say the least.

“We did miss a couple of good chances in the second half to make life a bit easier for ourselves.

“But it was a cup tie - a one-off - and they had five up front and were putting balls into the box which had to be headed or cleared.

“We did have a bit of luck at the end with the offside but I thought we earned it.

“Until they threw the kitchen sink at us at the end I thought we looked really comfortable in defence.”

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FA Cup: Mansfield Town 0 Cambridge United 1 - Richard Money delighted as U's book Luton Town tie
By CambridgeNews, By Michael Vaughton

Richard Money was thrilled to see Cambridge United sprinkle some more "stardust" on their season as they sealed their place in the third round of the FA Cup with victory at Mansfield last night.

Read more: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Mansfield-Town-0-Cambridge-United-1-Richard-Money/story-25723296-detail/story.html?#ixzz3MB2FnDPj

The U's triumphed 1-0 in the second round replay at the One Call Stadium thanks to Sullay Kaikai's deflected 10th-minute strike.

And head coach Money, who saw the Stags have an 88th-minute leveller ruled out for offside, felt United fully deserved to book a home tie with his former club Luton Town, who also won their replay against Bury 1-0.

"I'm really pleased," said Money. "It's just reward for the effort and just reward for the supporters who have come up here and given us their fantastic support again.

"Now we've got the big game to look forward to. The stadium will be rocking on January 3 so let's hope we can give them a performance to be proud of.

"We're trying our real hardest in the league to get as high as we can, but at the same time making sure we don't get in any trouble.

"We're striving manfully, especially with all the injuries we've had, but it was important to stay in the Cup because it just gives a little bit of stardust on the season and keeps everyone happy with something to look forward to."

Kaikai was a real livewire for the U's and regularly tormented the Mansfield defence, and Money was impressed with their attacking threat.

"It was a great move (for the goal), a great break," said Money. "He's got his shot off and if it hits someone and goes in you can say that you've probably earned your bit of luck because the three or four passes leading up to it were really of a good quality.

"I thought we were interesting up front, to say the least.

"Sometimes when you break and play with that pace up front there's a tendency for people to try to hit the killer pass too early, too quickly.

"I said to them at half time to stay with it a little bit longer and wait and see what opens up. We missed a couple of real good chances in the second half to make life a little bit easier for ourselves."

The Stags piled on the pressure as the second half neared its conclusion, but captain Ian Miller marshalled his troops expertly.

"In the end, it's a cup tie and a one off, they've got five up front and putting the ball in the box, and you've got to defend it," said Money.

"We've got the little bit of luck we needed for the offside, but I think we earned that bit of luck because we defended really well when we had to."

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twitter
Danny Fletcher @dannyfletcher45
Can't believe I made my debut tonight, a shame about the result but what an experience

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