Archived News from October 2015
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MURRAY, BENNING, JOHN SHERIDAN REACTION
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Ruthlessness pleases Stags’ boss mansfieldtown.net, 10th October 2015 Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray was pleased with his side’s ruthless nature during today’s 3-0 victory over Newport County AFC. Three fantastic goals from Craig Westcarr, Malvind Benning and Adi Yussuf sealed Stags’ third consecutive win which leaves them just a point off top spot. Murray was pleased with how his side took their chances in the second half of today’s game and he wants them to continue that going forward. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/ruthlessness-pleases-stags-boss-2737865.aspx#8xfLweZSmUxH2aBQ.99 “We spoke to the lads before the game about being ruthless. We know that while we’re on the run that we’re on, we need to keep putting teams to the sword, it was a ruthless performance today. “Again, it was a selfless performance from everyone.” For the second week running, defender Malvind Benning produced a strike which is certain to be a goal of the season contender and the gaffer described it as an ‘X-Factor’ moment. “[It was] great play around the box for Westy’s (Craig Westcarr) opener and what a finish,” Murray said. “Then Mal Benning’s going for goal of the season on his own this season! It was another great bit of skill and then Adi (Yussuf) does what he does.” Although he didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet himself, Jack Thomas came in for praise from the boss for his two assists this afternoon. “He was superb. Me and Jack went for breakfast on Thursday and we had a good chat and Jack knows how much I love him. “He knows he’s got my full support and he has done for the last few years and he’s got a bright future. He knows that he’s got to keep his foot down on the gas and nothing comes easy in this game. “[It was] a great ball from Jack to pick him (Benning) out, he could’ve just put it into an area, but he’s picked him out and Mal did the rest.” Murray says that the hard work put in on the training ground by his players is paying off after his side’s sixth home game without defeat today. “There’s a strong belief in there (the squad) and there was times in the second half where I thought we took our foot off the gas a little bit but that was put right quickly. “They’re in the position they are, as a team, because of how hard they’re working. We’ve got to give credit to this team because after a quarter of the season, they’re the people who have done it. The gaffer admitted that his side are currently ahead of schedule with regard to the targets which he set out at the beginning of the season, and is delighted with their progress so far. Murray said: “We knew we had a good group but we thought it would take a little bit longer to click. I’ve said from the off that I want this to be a progressive season. “Everything goes up a notch now. The first quarter’s done, we turn it up.” --------------------- Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray hails Mal Benning wonder goal as one of the best ever chad.co.uk, by John Lomas Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray hailed Mal Benning’s wonder volley as one of the best goals he has ever seen after today’s ‘ruthless’ 3-0 win over bottom club Newport County. Left back Benning scored Sky Sports Best Goal of the Day with a superb volley at Dagenham last weekend but surpassed that today with simply stunning finish from over 20 yards as three second half goals finally broke the Welsh’s club’s resistance. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-boss-adam-murray-hails-mal-benning-wonder-goal-as-one-of-the-best-ever-1-7508163 “Mel’s goal has got to be up there (with the best goals I have ever seen), said Murray. “His one last week was a ‘joke’, but that was extra-special today. “It was a great ball from Jack to pick him out. He could have just put it into an area. But he’s picked him out and Mal did the rest.” With John Sheridan having just taken over as new manager at Newport before last weekend, Murray admitted Stags had little idea what they would be up against today. “It was a tough one to plan for and a tough one to prepare for,” he said. “It was going a little bit into the unknown today which I wasn’t comfortable with. With a new manager we didn’t know exactly what they would come with. “We couldn’t prepare to as fine a detail as I would like to. So we knew we had to be on our mettle from the off. “I spoke to the lads before the game about being ruthless. On the run we are on we need to make sure we keep putting teams to the sword - and it was a ruthless performance today. “By half-time we were doing okay. Territory-wise we were dominating. We had a a lot of the ball, but we needed that X-Factor, that ruthlessness to make something happen. “They were defending well to be fair, so we knew we’d have to be patient and shift them a bit by adding a little bit more width. “Then we had a great a little bit of play around the box that led to Westcarr’s opener - and what a finish. “Then I think Mal Benning is going for Goal of the Season on his own. It was another great bit of skill, then Adi does what he does.” Murray added: “It was a tricky one today and they changed formation second half which threw us again. We were going to get two centre forwards on the pitch but they were creating overloads against us. “Greeny had to work his socks off for the team again and we thoroughly deserved the three points.” The win left Stags in the top four in League Two and the manager said: “We are happy, but focused. There is a strong belief in there. “We have some good people, some strong characters and they are in the position they are as a team because of how hard they are working. We have to give credit to this group. “They work tirelessly day in day out and we’ve got to keep that going as nothing is achieved yet. “We knew we had a good group but we thought it would take a bit longer to click. So we are probably ahead of schedule. With time I do believe I can get this club where it needs to be. That’s the first quarter of the season done and we need to up a gear now.” ------------------------ Benning showing predatory instinct mansfieldtown.net, 10th October 2015 Mansfield Town left-back Malvind Benning believes his most recent sensational strike is in his nature as he helped fire the Stags to a 3-0 win over Newport County AFC this afternoon. The defender met Jack Thomas’ fine cross with a ferocious volley from well outside the area that left County ‘keeper Joe Day helpless. Benning felt that he knew if he hit it well enough it would find the back of the net similarly to his strike at Dagenham & Redbridge last week. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/benning-showing-predatory-instinct-2737989.aspx#vPJzcQypKAmdddzO.99 “These last two volleys were just instinct,” he said. “I said before it was just instinct when it comes, I want to go for it and have a crack and they’ve gone in which I’m thankful.” “I found myself up there and I saw Thommo (Jack Thomas) look at me and then look at the box and I thought ‘please Thommo just cross it to me’. “He crossed it and I had no doubts about taking a touch; I heard people tell me to take a touch but I thought ‘why not just have a crack and see what happens’ and thankfully it went in.” The two sides went in to the interval goalless despite the hosts having the lion’s share of the possession, but second-half strikes from Craig Westcarr, Benning and Adi Yussuf wrapped up the points for the Nottinghamshire club. Despite eventually running out comfortable winners, Benning stated that manager Adam Murray’s words of encouragement at half-time helped push them over the line as they controlled the game from the outset. Benning said: “I thought we dominated first half and it was a shame we couldn’t get a goal, but we came in and the gaffer was frustrated with us to be fair. “He told us we need to switch the play better, which we did in the second half, and finally broke them down, but after that first goal we needed to kick on and get the second one, which we did, and kill the game off. Looking towards the future, the 21-year-old’s third strike of the season equalled his total tally during his time at former club Walsall, but the defender insists goals aren’t his first priority this campaign. Benning continued: “My main aim is to keep as many clean-sheets as I am a defender but goals are a bonus and hopefully I can get a couple more and see what happens. “My targets personally are to just be consistent and play as many games [as I can]. I’ve been in and out of teams at Walsall so I haven’t really ever had a run of games but obviously it’s up to me to keep performing and keep my place in the team.” ---------------------- Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning enjoys the goal spotlight after wonder strike chad.co.uk, by John Lomas Mansfield Town left back Mal Benning’s wonder volley in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Newport County left everyone in the ground believing the Football League Goal of the Season award is already sorted. But Benning actually enjoyed his rasping right foot volley at Dagenham seven days before even more as it was on his weaker foot. Few fans who were at One Call Stadium yesterday will ever forget the way he smashed the ball home from over 20 yards after Jack Thomas had chosen to pull a pinpoint cross back into his path from the right instead of putting the ball into the box. http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/mansfield-town-defender-mal-benning-enjoys-the-goal-spotlight-after-wonder-strike-1-7508220? “I found myself up there, I saw Thommo look at me, then look at the box and I thought, please, cross it to me,” said Benning. “He did cross it to me and I heard some people say take a touch. But I thought, why not, let’s have a crack and see what happens. Thankfully it went in. “Same as last week, it was just instinct. When it comes, why not go for it and have a crack? “Before this season I’d scored three goals, two in the League and one in the Capital One Cup. “But my main aim is to get a clean sheet as I am a defender. Goals are a bonus.” When asked if yesterday’s was the best goal of his career, he said: “Maybe last week’s for me as it was on my right foot.” Stags had to work hard for the 3-0 win, three second half goals finally seeing off the League’s bottom club. “I thought it was a very good team display,” said Benning. “Obviously after we scored we did have that lapse in concentration for a bit. But we were on top throughout. “I thought we dominated the first half and it was a shame we didn’t get a goal. “The gaffer was a bit frustrated with us at half-time but second half we finally broke them down. “After that first goal we needed to kick on and get the second, which we did, to kill the game off. “We had to be careful. After we scored the first goal, they’ve had a couple of good chances from which Brian Jensen has pulled off a couple of great saves. “The gaffer says we have to pride ourselves on clean sheets, thankfully today we got one and won the match.” Benning is loving the current dressing room camaraderie at Mansfield, adding: “Walsall was good, but this has topped it. We need to keep going and see what happens.” ----------------------- MANSFIELD MUSINGS STAGS BLOG: Mal Benning in the limelight by Sam Binch, chad.co.uk, Tuesday 13 October 2015 Ask any Mansfield fan which player is at the forefront of their minds at the moment, and their reply would almost certainly be Malvind Benning. The marauding left back has produced two stunning volleys in the last two games, against Dagenham and Newport respectively and has also contributed towards a Stags defence which has earned many plaudits so far, an aspect of his game which his manager had stated brings him the most satisfaction. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-musings-stags-blog-mal-benning-in-the-limelight-1-7511339 Benning’s latest goal against Newport on Saturday has been labelled by numerous fans, some having witnessed thousands of goals during years of loyal support, as the best they have ever seen following Mansfield. Having ventured towards the edge of the area, Benning was picked out expertly by Jack Thomas and thumped a left footed volley into the top left hand corner. The majority of spectators within the ground were stunned, prolonging their normal goal celebrations with a rapturous round of applause. The feat achieved by the defender came just seven days after he had converted a similar opportunity at Dagenham, this time with his weaker foot. When asked which goal was his favourite, Mal was in no doubt as to which he preferred. “For me it would be Dagenham,” he said. “It’s definitely a recent trend (scoring long range goals), the rest of my goals have been tap-ins.” Having emerged through the youth ranks at Walsall, Benning made close to 50 appearances at League One level, scoring two goals. The full back has already surpassed that total for the Stags, his recent volley’s adding to a stunning free-kick on his League debut for the club against Carlisle on the opening day of the season. Mal feels Adam Murray’s tactics have assisted his goal tally. “He (Murray) wants the full backs to be involved in the game as much as possible, which suits my style of play,” said Benning. The manager, amongst the adulation of Benning’s recent attacking efforts, reserved praise for the defender’s improvements in guarding his own goal. Benning said: “Although I am an attacking full back, I am a defender first. There’s plenty of work to be done on both sides of my game. “The coaching staff here are very good and there are plenty of aspects of the game which I have picked up on, and many I still need to learn. I’m enjoying it.” Having reached double figures in terms of appearances in every season between 2012-2015 whilst playing for Walsall, it is perhaps a surprise that Benning chose to descend to League Two level. Nevertheless, the former Saddlers man has played every minutes of every game for his new club since joining in the summer - a key factor in Benning’s decision to sign for the Stags. “I heard of the interest from the gaffer and his plans for the season sold it to me,” he said. “I was looking for more game time which is not guaranteed here, but hopefully I can work hard and continue to earn my place in the team.” A familiar face joined Benning at Mansfield when Craig Westcarr signed on the dotted line. The two had been team mates at Walsall and even scored in the same game against Stevenage in April 2014. Adam Murray has made no secret that the dressing room contains some big characters, but Benning sees himself as more reserved. “I am one of the quieter ones,” he said. “It’s a bit nerve-racking walking into a new dressing room so knowing ‘Westy’ eased it a little.” Mansfield have started the season excellently and find themselves sitting in fourth position, above all pre-season expectations. Adam Murray has spoken of a certain ‘buzz’ around the club, and the town are beginning to respond to the club’s on-field success, with a slight increase in attendance on Saturday. When asked of his forecast at the beginning of the campaign, Benning was sensible in his assessment. He said: “We did not know where we would be. We have a good team and are taking each game as it comes and we will see where we go from there. “The support has been great so far and we are thankful, given the long journeys they have taken. Hopefully we can keep repaying with results on the pitch.” It is fair to say Benning has created a favourable impression with supporters since pulling on an amber shirt, possessing electric pace, a reliable delivery and an unwavering engine. The recent publicity surrounding the full back’s glorious goals has earned several goal of the week accolades from various media outlets. At just 21 years of age, the scope for future improvement is plentiful and supporters will be hoping that Benning will be fulfilling his potential at the One Call Stadium for years to come. --------------------- Newport County manager John Sheridan told BBC Radio Wales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34431626 "I'm not happy with the performance in the first half. "I thought I was looking at a different team to the one I saw last weekend. But I've been here a short time and I'm giving players an opportunity. "We are where we are for a reason but I definitely believe we can get out of this situation." ------------------- I can save Newport, says new boss John Sheridan after defeat at Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, by John Lomas Newly-installed Newport County boss John Sheridan believes he can save the Welsh club from relegation back to the Conference, despite yesterday’s 3-0 defeat at Mansfield Town. Sheridan saw his side gain a 1-1 home draw with Exeter in his first game in charge last week, but they were sunk by three second half goals, two of them superb volleys by Craig Westcarr and Mal Benning, to leave them bottom of the League. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/i-can-save-newport-says-new-boss-john-sheridan-after-defeat-at-mansfield-town-1-7508222?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed “It is always hard when you are down at the bottom but I definitely believe we can get out of the situation,” said the former Chesterfield and Plymouth boss. “Today we showed glimpses, but we have got to have a bit of belief. I said to them at half-time to be brave and get on the ball. “But we were a bit naive and didn’t get going until they scored. Then we started to play a bit, but we should have been doing that from the off. “The keeper’s made two ‘worldy’ saves for them, but I am not happy with the performance. “In the first half I was looking at a completely different team from last week. I have been here a short time and I am trying to give the players an opportunity to show me what they can do, but we need to be more consistent.” He added: “We are where we are for a reason. Goals, of course, change games but we didn’t really affect the game in the first half. We didn’t have a shot. “For their first goal people were ball-watching or following the ball. If they had kept their position and shape the goal wouldn’t have been scored. “Too many crosses were allowed to be put in cheaply. “The second goal was a wonder strike, I have got to give the lad credit for that, but we had people in the box doing nothing. If they had pushed out 15 or 20 yards he wouldn’t have had the space to have the shot if we had got closer to him. “To be fair once I put the substitutes on we looked a bit brighter and we did create chances. At 1-0 Rodders (Rodman) had a great chance and then Zak (Ansah) had a shot saved by the keeper’s legs and another strike well saved. “But I haven’t beaten the lads up afterwards and gone on too much. It has just given me more of an idea of what I need to look at and (ENDS) -------------------------------------------- JAMIE MCGUIRE @JAMIEMCGUIRE23 Wot a win boys were class big shout out to the fans ! If @Mal_1993 goal not goal off the month am running round Mansfield town naked Nick Lough @NDL95 @jensen_com congrats on the TOTW (Team of the week) Brian! Brian Jensen @jensen_com @NDL95 What is @Mal_1993 doing on the right full back This kid only scores worldies The goal yesterday is the best I've seen John Radford @JRadfordMTFC Another excellent victory! Get your recorders ready tonight on @channel5_tv for @Mal_1993's goal... incredible strike. COME ON YOU STAGS!! ------------------- |
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