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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from November 2017

EVANS: ROSE'S BOOKING WAS HARSH
19th November 2017 12:02


Stags nearing top gear as purple patch continues
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 13 November 2017

Stags' boss Steve Evans believes his side are 'getting nearer' to hitting top form after Saturday's 1-0 win over Coventry City extended their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.

Saturday's magnificent victory at Coventry saw us edge closer to the Sky Bet League Two play-offs as we claimed our fourth win in the last seven matches - the others ending as draws.

And although he admits there's still room for improvement, the boss can see his side developing as the season progresses.

"I think we're getting nearer, but I think we've got a long, long way to go," the Stags' chief said.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/november/evans-13-november/

"I really do believe that as the season develops we'll get better, we'll get stronger and we'll try and make the group a little bit stronger again in January.

"We always believed that we're going to have the inconsistencies that are relevant in our game, the statistics show it. We look at the stats; if we beat Exeter at home - which we should, very, very comfortably - we'd be sitting in the play-offs today, but we're not. We still have to bridge that gap.

"I think we have a fantastic dressing room. They're a very level-headed group, they want the group to be successful. They want the dressing room to succeed for the chairman and the chief exec (John and Carolyn Radford) and for the supporters. There's a real focus in there and they know how hard the staff are working."

Stags' reserves will take on local rivals Notts County in the Central League Cup tomorrow at Rainworth Miners Welfare (1.00pm kick-off) and the gaffer is looking for 'big performances' from those selected.

"I don't know what Kevin [Nolan, Notts County manager] will do but everybody knows our strategy of players who are not playing in the first team play in the reserves.

"We don't say 'play on the training ground and we'll look after you and we'll be nice to you', we say 'you have to earn your right to be in the team on Saturday'.

"It will be a strong reserves' side and there will be some players who will be playing in that reserves' side who we will be looking for big performances from.

"Obviously Danny [Rose] will be out [through suspension] but there will be more changes than Danny Rose when we play Stevenage at home. I've got a different team in my thought process but I need performances."

Striker Lee Angol (knee) and defender David Mirfin (hamstring) will both miss tomorrow's game, but the gaffer hopes to welcome the pair back to training later this week.

Meanwhile, the manager is yet to decide whether defender Krystian Pearce and midfielder Jacob Mellis will play for the reserves after the duo missed Saturday's win over Coventry through suspension.

"[Lee Angol] won't play in the reserves on Tuesday and neither will David Mirfin.

"I know they've been in working hard over the weekend. They're getting pretty close now to being back on the grass. We need them back on the grass now with the medical team for a day or two.

"We're going to make a decision on Jacob [Mellis] and Pearcey (Krystian Pearce) in the next hour when we see them.

"With the other two, who were suspended, of course they're immediately back with us today."

Supporters will be able to login to iFollow Stags to view the manager's full news conference later today.

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Mansfield manager Evans not worried over top scorer’s suspension
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 13 November 2017

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans is losing no sleep about having top scorer Danny Rose suspended for the visit of Stevenage this Saturday. Rose picked up his fifth yellow card of the season for what the referee believed to be a dive as he looked for a penalty in Saturday’s fine 1-0 win at Coventry City.

Evans was unhappy with the decision but, with Jimmy Spencer and Omari Sterling-James in good form and Lee Angol nearing fitness, he is more than happy with the options he has to cover for his 10-goal star man.

“I have looked back at it and I think Danny’s booking was a little bit harsh to be fair,” said Evans. “I think there was a little bit of contact when you look back at it.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-manager-evans-not-worried-over-top-scorer-s-suspension-1-8855074

“But the referee didn’t see that bit of contact so deservedly does what he does. “

I won’t speak about Danny Rose all week now - he’s not available to us. We only speak about players available to us.”

Stags had midfielder Jacob Mellis and defender Krystian Pearce suspended on Saturday - both will be back this weekend - while injured pair Angol and David Mirfin have a full week to prove their fitness. “We will always miss a player of Danny’s abilities who is desperately keen to do so well, as he is,” said Evans. “He is a big player for us. But we were missing other big players on Saturday. We had to go to Coventry with no Krystian Pearce, no Jacob Mellis, no Lee Angol and no David Mirfin. “They are equally as big as Danny and hopefully we might welcome all four back to the group this weekend.” Spencer did his chances of replacing Rose no harm with a brace against York City reserves last week and Evans said: “We have Jimmy Spencer here who was probably our best player in the Checkatrade games against Notts County and Everton and against York last week he was simply stunning. “We also have Omari, who’s been unlucky not to be on the pitch. “Every time that kid has been on the pitch in recent week’s he’s been absolutely top class. People should never forget I signed him here to be a striker, not play on the right.”

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Injured Stags duo won’t be risked for reserves derby
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 13 November 2017

Striker Lee Angol and centre half David Mirfin will not be risked in Mansfield Town’s reserves against neighbourss Notts County in the Central League at Rainworth MW’s Kirklingon Road tomorrow (1pm). Both are hoping to shake off injuries to be available for Saturday’s visit of Stevenage.

“Neither will play in the reserves in the week, but they still have a big chance for Saturday,” said manager Steve Evans.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/injured-stags-duo-won-t-be-risked-for-reserves-derby-1-8855056

“I know they have been in working hard all weekend. They are getting pretty close to getting back on the grass. “We need them back on the grass with the medical team for a day or two.” Jacob Mellis and Krystian Pearce served one-game bans on Saturday and Evans has not yet decided if they need the reserve outing, saying: “We will make a decision on Jacob and Pearcey when we see them train.”

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Stags fans challenged to keep Coventry atmosphere going
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Steve Evans this week called on Mansfield Town’s supporters to reproduce the intense noise and backing they gave the players at Coventry City on Saturday for the rest of the season. Over 1,500 travelling fans more than played their part in the 1-0 win at Coventry where the Stags boss said they ‘surprised’ him with their ‘best ever support’ since he joined the club. “The fans were incredible,” he said. “They were like the days when we were very successful at Rotherham or like a normal day away with Leeds - they were loud and proud and I can give them no bigger acclaim than that. That was a fantastic support. “We are going to need that level week in, week out. If you want to be challenging for any sort of promotion, I have said you need everyone on the rope pulling the same way. “Saturday was a good day. We’ll have more good days going forwards and some not so good days, but the rope still has to get pulled in the same direction.” Most of the Stags fans were amassed in the same section of the ground, but Evans said: “I think there were a few did a wee ‘cheeky sneaky’ behind me as when we scored, over my right shoulder I saw a few little Stags fans jump up like Zebedee which got them a bit of stick.” Alex MacDonald sealed a deserved win near the end with a 25-yard rocket shot and Evans said: “It was one for the fans wasn’t it? The playing performance was excellent. “Reading the reports, we’ve beaten the best team in the league away from home. I don’t think they’re the best team - I think there are four or five other protagonists who have that claim. “But we just went about our business there professionally. We deserved to win and we made the better chances. “We should have been able to see the game out comfortably as I think the referee has had a bad moment when he didn’t the penalty for Kane Hemmings.” The Stags certainly impressed the natives at the Ricoh Arena. “I spoke to some people behind the scenes at Coventry at the end and they said we were the best team that had been there this season,” smiled Evans. They said ‘you came and opened up, you had a goal to play attacking football and you should have beaten us more comfortably. “It doesn’t matter whether that comes from a steward or people who work in the tunnel area, they have an opinion as every supporter does, and you take it on board. “They didn’t have to tell us that and those words are always welcome when it comes from honest people like that.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-fans-challenged-to-keep-coventry-atmosphere-going-1-8857412

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Evans sounds a warning as Stags take on bottom half sides
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Steve Evans has warned Mansfield Town to be on their mettle as they face a crucial six-game run against sides in the bottom half of League Two. Despite a tough start to the season against most of the big guns, the Stags have stayed with the pack and are just two points off the play-offs But manager Evans emphasised the next six were still all highly dangerous opponents, starting with Saturday’s visit of Stevenage. Stevenage have only won one of their last six League games, but that was against second-placed Accrington Stanley and Evans said: “The one thing you recognise in League Two is that top can beat bottom but bottom can beat top or anyone. “Just look at the games last weekend, I think only one of the play-off teams won their game. The rest lost or drew. It shows how tough it is in this league. “Does anyone want to play Barnet right now, who are down there? Does anyone want to play Chesterfield? They are good teams with good players. “Swindon came here and wiped the floor with us but had to get a 97th minute penalty - and it was never a penalty - against Chesterfield on Saturday, who were unlucky not to win.” Stags are now seven games unbeaten and Evans added: “I want to be near the top group in the New Year. Any club is allowed to dream, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint. “We have a new group here. Notts County are top and Kevin Nolan has done a terrific job. “But it has to be said 99 per cent of that squad was built by the guy they sacked, John Sheridan - that’s just a fact - and tells you that continuity with a set of players will ultimately be more successful than a new group. “I think we are getting nearer but we’ve still got a long, long way to go. “I really do believe as the season develops we will get better and stronger. And we will try to make the group a little bit stronger again in January.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/evans-sounds-a-warning-as-stags-take-on-bottom-half-sides-1-8857416

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Stags need more goals from Coventry hero MacDonald says manager
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has called on Saturday’s goal hero Alex MacDonald to hit the net more often. MacDonald scored a stunning winner six minutes from time to seal a 1-0 win at Coventry City on Saturday. But it was only his second goal in 31 outings in Mansfield’s colours and Evans said: “We need more goals from Alex. “The idea to move him more central on Saturday was to get more strikes on goal. “You watch Alex train and he gets encouraged all the time. The week fellow is never shy taking a pop at goal. “When you tell him off that he should have passed it he’s never shy to tell you why he shot either. “He has worked incredibly hard to get himself in the condition he is in and his performance levels are up. “They are not where they need to be yet but they’re getting there very quickly and becoming more like the Alex MacDonald that was absolutely tearing up League One at one stage.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/video-stags-need-more-goals-from-coventry-hero-macdonald-says-manager-1-8859260

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Stags stopper winning over the doubters
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Goalkeeper Conrad Logan finally seems to be winning over the doubters and becoming a fans’ favourite. The former Leicester City and Hibs stopped suffered some stick from a section of fans earlier in the season. But a string of consistent displays and some crucial saves have altered perceptions and also kept top class fellow keeper Bobby Olejnik on the sidelines. “When he was getting a bit of stick, I said this guy is a top class goalkeeper,” said manager Steve Evans. “We are very, very fortunate. Bobby Olejnik must wake up every morning wondering what he has to do to be in the team. “What he has to do is wait for Conrad Logan not to be good. If Conrad has a game or two down, then Bobby goes in. “But Conrad has been fantastic. Both goalkeepers are big characters around us.” Evans admitted: “I would have no qualms playing on the last day of the season to get promoted with either of them between the sticks. “Conrad has made some big saves again on Saturday, but he has made big saves in every game we’ve played. Sometimes they don’t get seen but it’s nice when it’s get recognised. “You only have to ask our players what they think of our two goalkeepers, they will tell you.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-stopper-winning-over-the-doubters-1-8859249

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Hamilton starts to hit the heights for Stags
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Winger CJ Hamilton is finally starting to live up to his rich promise after a rare run of starts for Mansfield Town. Hamilton was a periphery figure last season after joining the previous summer under boss Adam Murray. But current manager Steve Evans believes he can play at a higher level in the future. “I said to the chairman when I came in that I couldn’t believe this guy was only getting five minutes here and there,” said Evans. “CJ is a young man who we think highly of. His focus and attention at times mean his concentration levels are not where they should be. “But he has got frightening, breathtaking speed that would give any defender a problem. “The nice thing is the work on the training ground with his final ball and picking people out is starting to come.” Evans continued: “He is capable of playing much, much higher than League Two. “But he has to earn that right. He has to get his focus right, his attention to detail right, his concentration levels right. “Sometimes it’s his belief too and not being over-confident which he was a bit earlier in the season, when he thought he was going to play (in every game). “Any player who thinks that will be out the team whoever they are.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/hamilton-starts-to-hit-the-heights-for-stags-1-8859243

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Latest | November 2017