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Archived News from December 2017

EVANS, DIAMOND, DARREN WAY REACTION
22nd December 2017 21:17


Stags required killer instinct to beat Glovers - boss
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 16 December 2017

Stags' boss Steve Evans believes his side needed to be more clinical in front of goal after seeing them draw 0-0 at home to Yeovil Town this afternoon.

In the second half in particular, Stags dominated the match and at times imposed relentless pressure on the Glovers' defence, but they couldn't find a way through Yeovil's resolute backline.

And although the Stags didn't come away with the three points that their performance arguably deserved, the boss was 'pleased' with his side's performance, on the whole.

"Well we must be disappointed. I don't know what the statistics will show but it's certainly dominant in the first half and as for the second half, I'm coming off and I'm hearing people at the end criticise the performance. Criticise the result, not the performance," the Stags' chief said.

"We've tore them apart and I just said that into the box, we didn't make killer chances for people to take. That's the only disappointing aspect of the performance. So from that point of view, [I'm] delighted with the performance in the second half but not with the killer instinct in front of goal to punish them.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/december/evans-post-yeovil/

"I'll go home really disappointed because when you play as well as we played in the second half, you have to put this in context, people will have different opinions on this.

"It's quite interesting, their assistant manager (Terry Skiverton) has been a friend of mine for 20 years and he just said at the end 'How have we survived? I don't know' but they did. I said to him I couldn't set up a team to play that way but they'll take great credit because their guys gave them everything and so they should."

The gaffer believes his side should have scored with some of the chances they created, but admits they didn't generate enough clear-cut opportunities.

"I just said to the strikers 'How many chances did you miss?', the answer was 'none', which they didn't, neither of them but that's an indication, when you've got that much dominance, that perhaps they need to move a little bit differently and do things differently.

"[Paul Anderson] should score, shouldn't he? CJ [Hamilton] has done fantastic. I think he was really bright when he came on. He was so poor at Crawley we left him out and I think we introduced him at the right time.

"It's a game-changing decision and the change was right. He makes the chance for Ando, Ando should tap it in and it goes through his legs and then the goalkeeper's [made] a heroic save from CJ.

"I think Alex MacDonald's had a great chance in the first half, he slashes it or he pulls it to the near post with the goalkeeper when the far side's gaping after about seven or eight passes.

"Probably in terms of clear-cut chances, the one with CJ when the goalkeeper just throws himself and it hits him but I'm really, really pleased with the level of effort and the endeavour and the quality of the passing and the moving."

Supporters can view the manager's full interview by logging into iFollow Stags.

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Evans: We lacked quality in front of goal
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 16 December 2017

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans said his Mansfield Town side were only a top class striker short of demolishing struggling Yeovil Town today as the Glovers escaped with a frustrating 0-0 draw. Mansfield dominated possession for long periods, but chances were few and far between. The game ended with boos from the stands, but Evans said: “I heard people criticise us at the end. Criticise the result but not the performance. We have torn them apart.

“The fans are as frustrated as us. But the players are not rubbish, they are talented boys. “The only disappointing aspect is we kept getting in the box but not making killer chances for people to take.

“I was delighted with our second half performance but not our killer instinct in front of goal to punish them.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/evans-we-lacked-quality-in-front-of-goal-1-8914121

“I have to say this properly, but if we had a top class striker he'd have probably got us a hat-trick in the second half. “I think if we'd got one we'd have got four or five.

“I just said to the strikers how many chances did you miss? The answer was none for either of them.

“That's an indication that when you have that much dominance, perhaps they needed to move little bit differently or do things a bit differently.

“I will accept Danny couldn't keep up that standard from earlier in the season, but maybe he is over eager.” Evans continued: “I was really pleased with the level of effort and endeavour and the quality of the passing and moving. “People think it's easy, but Yeovil drew with Notts County and went to Port Vale and won. “Their assistant manager has been a friend of mine for 20 years and he said how we survived I don't know. “But credit to their guys. They gave them everything. They survived and we wish them well. “The referee will think it's to his credit he added seven minutes but he could have added 17. But he's not to blame for us not putting the ball in the net.”

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Stags need to find way to overcome defensive teams - Diamond
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 16 December 2017

Mansfield Town captain Zander Diamond believes the Stags need to better break down stubborn sides like Yeovil Town following this afternoon's 0-0 draw at One Call Stadium.

Stags dominated much of the encounter but weren't able find a way through the Glovers' solid rearguard, despite some good play up until the final third.

And speaking post-match, the skipper says Stags will analyse today's game and use it to find a way to break down teams who play with a game-plan which is similar to that of the Glovers this afternoon.

"They played counter-attack football and they had one or two chances [in the] first half. [In the] second half, I think we dominated the game without being probably good in certain areas, all over," the Scotsman said.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/december/diamond-post-yeovil/

"We need to find that answer to the frustration that we've all got. We can't come here and not have answers, we've got to find that and we'll be working extensively hard on the training field, as we always do, and hopefully we'll come up with the right answers next week.

"I think if we're honest, we didn't put enough balls in [to the box]. We didn't put our bodies on the line where it hurts maybe to get the goal. We're the ones that can change that. We're an honest group; we'll dust ourselves down and analyse what's went before us.

"Teams like this are going to come here and play like that, hit us on the counter attack and we have to find ways of capitalising on that. It's a big week coming up and positivity has to go towards the Morecambe game."

Despite ultimately ending this afternoon's game in frustration, Diamond believes Stags need to channel their disappointment into securing a victory in their final game before Christmas at home to Morecambe next week.

"You saw what it meant to them at the end of the game and credit to them. They came with a game plan and they've got a point, they've got a clean sheet and they're away back down the road happy.

"The flip side of that is we're so disappointed. We've got back-to-back home games and we wanted to start it off positively with three points today.

"It's not come but the positive thing is we've not been beaten so we need to use this as a platform to hopefully get three points next week."

Supporters will be able to login to iFollow Stags to view the skipper's post-match interview in full later tonight.

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Diamond: We didn't do enough
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 16 December 2017

Mansfield Town skipper Zander Diamond was left frustrated by today's 0-0 home draw with Yeovil Town. Diamond won the sponsors' man of the match award as Stags chalked up another clean sheet. But it was their lack of goals or chances at the other end that left fans booing at the final whistle. “We huffed and puffed but we just couldn't get the goal,” he said. “Apart from a clean sheet. Hopefully in the coming weeks we'll manage to find the goals we are craving that win these sort of football games. “If we are honest enough we didn't put enough balls in, didn't put our bodies on the line where it hurts maybe to get the goal. We are the only ones that can change that. “We are an honest group and we'll dust ourselves down and analyse what happened.” Diamond said Mansfield had to learn from days like this how to see off sides who came to defend. “Teams like this are going to come here and play like that and hurt us on the counter-attack. We have to find ways of capitalising on that,” he said. “It's a big week coming up and we have to be positive going towards the Morecambe game.” Diamond could only praise Yeovil's determination. “You saw what it meant to them at the end of the game,” he said. “Credit to them. They came with a game plan and they got a point and a clean sheet so go home happy. “With back to back home games we wanted to start it off positively with three points today. It didn't happen but the positive thing is we haven't been beaten. “We need to use this as a platform to get three points next week. “Second half we dominated the game without being good in certain areas. We need to find that answer to the frustrations we've all got. We will work hard on the training field and hopefully we'll come up with the right answers next week.”

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/diamond-we-didn-t-do-enough-1-8914194

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Darren Way Speaks To The BBC After The 0-0 Draw Against Mansfield Town
http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/features/interview.asp?InterviewId=2079

Yeovil Town manager Darren Way spoke to local journalist Chris Spittles, in an interview for BBC Somerset, after his side drew 0-0 against Mansfield Town on Saturday 16th December 2017.

CS: Darren, well played. We've spoken about yourselves away from home, but a battling performance, and a more than deserved point today.

DW: I think we kept it simple today. We wanted a spirited performance. I thought in the first half we created the best chances. I thought we were unlucky not to be 1-0 or 2-0 up. But to come away from home, I've been manager at Mansfield now on a number of occasions, I've played here as a player and I know how difficult it can be. You could see the emotions were quite high at one stage. There were one or two players going down, and the technical area is quite lively when you come to Mansfield. So it was everything that we expected today. The players held their nerve, and I appreciated the support from the supporters at the end there, because that's what they want to see. I thought the players were magnificent today, and they showed a real good spirited performance.

CS: Let's talk about your chances in the first half. The header from Sam Surridge hit the post, and Matty Worthington's shot saw a fantastic save from their keeper.

DW: Yes, it was a great save. I think when it hit the crossbar, from where I was stood it looked like it was going in. Then there was the other one where Sam has dropped back and the keeper has gone to ground, and he's just tried to dink it, and it's just gone over. So we've had two or three real good chances where on another day that could go in. But we've just said to the players there, as far as our progression is concerned, we've had Port Vale away and we drew that game, and I think we've lost two now in eight (games) in all competitions. I didn't expect this season to be easy. As much as though I want to be in a higher position, I think the players are still giving everything.

CS: The first half was a good game of football. The second half descended into something that was quite physical, quite aggressive. What did you make of the incident with Sam Surridge and Krystian Pearce? They were both shown yellow cards, but it was clear that Mansfield wanted your player sent off.

DW: Yes, with the noise around the ground. The referee was top class today. I have to say that, because sometimes your decision-making, with the pressure the supporters and the technical area were putting him under. I've seen - I don't know how many times - Mansfield now, and it seems to be happening every week where there is an incident with one of our younger players, like Nelson, Mugabi and Surridge today. But I felt the referee today could understand what was going on. Again, he held his nerve and his composure, and I think that throughout he made the majority of the right decisions.

CS: Did you see the incident? We looked up to see the two of them just wrestling on the floor, but there didn't look to be too much in it.

DW: There wasn't too much in it, but as I've said when someone is on the floor that is twice the size of him, and is holding his face - there were no punches thrown, and that was quite clear from the way that he was reacting, or over-reacting, that there wasn't much in it. But the crowd get behind that, they get excited, and there's a lot of teams that would have crumbled under that pressure at Mansfied away, that's for sure.

CS: What was it like in the technical area. Everyone talks about Steve Evans, but I think Paul Rayner the assistant was more animated. There was one time when you didn't manage to control the ball, and they thought you were kicking the ball away, and he was in your technical area and looking quite aggressive there.

DW: Yes, as I said to you when I spoke before the game, I'm not getting involved in that. To be fair, my touch has gone, I have to say! There's no way I could have controlled that ball there any better. I tried to, but unfortunately it went under my foot.

CS: But they did think you were kicking it away. You clearly weren't but that was what they were claiming, wasn't it?

DW: I clearly wasn't, but I think you do anything to try to get back into the game, as far as carrying a little bit of momentum. I thought there was once or twice, certainly on the break, where you thought we could end up winning this.

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Yeovil Town were unlucky not to go 'one or two' goals up at Mansfield Town, says Darren Way
somersetlive.co.uk, ByStephen D'Albiac, 16 DEC 2017

Darren Way felt that Yeovil Town were unlucky not to put themselves ‘one or two’ goals up as they secured a deserved goalless draw at Mansfield Town .

The Glovers battled well at Field Mill to avoid defeat away from home in the league for just the third time this season and Bournemouth youngsters Sam Surridge and Matt Worthington both enjoyed good chances in the first half that could have put them in front.

A point gives Yeovil a little breathing space between themselves and the bottom two although a win for Crewe Alexandra drops them to 21 place.

But an assured display will give Yeovil fans some cause for optimism going into a busy festive period.

Way said: “We wanted a spirited performance and I thought we created the best chances. I thought we were unlucky not to be 1-0 or 2-0 up but to come away from home and I’ve been manager now at Mansfield on a number of occasions.

http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mansfield-town-v-yeovil-town-937859

“I’ve been here several times as a player and I know how difficult it can be and you could see that emotions were running high at one stage.

“There were one or two players going down in the technical area and like I say it’s always lively when we come to Mansfield so everything that we expected today, the players held their nerve and I appreciated the support from the supporters at the end there.

“That’s what they want to see and I thought the players were magnificent today and they showed a real good, spirited performance."

On the chances for Worthington and Surridge in the first half, Way added: “We’ve had two or three really good chances where on another day it could go in.

“I’ve just said to the players that as far as our progression is concerned, we’ve had Port Vale away, we drew that game.

“I think we’ve lost two in eight in all competitions but I didn’t expect this season to be easy and as much as I want to be in a higher position, I think the players are still giving everything.”

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Ciderspace News Page : Way Happy With Spirited Performance After Point Against Stags
ciderspace.co.uk

Yeovil Town manager Darren Way believes that he got a good spirit of performance today, when assessing his side's 0-0 draw against Mansfield Town at Field Mill. The Glovers managed only their fifth point on the road of the 2017-18 season when they managed to get a clean sheet against a Stags side currently in an upper mid-table position.

Way suggested that his side could have been a goal or two up at the break, with AFC Bournemouth loanee Sam Surridge getting the pick of the chances when his header came back off the woodwork. He praised his players for putting in a 'magnificent' performance:

"I think we kept it simple today. We wanted a spirited performance. I thought in the first half we created the best chances. I thought we were unlucky not to be 1-0 or 2-0 up. But to come away from home, I've been manager at Mansfield now on a number of occasions, I've played here as a player and I know how difficult it can be. You could see the emotions were quite high at one stage. There were one or two players going down, and the technical area is quite lively when you come to Mansfield. So it was everything that we expected today. The players held their nerve, and I appreciated the support from the supporters at the end there, because that's what they want to see. I thought the players were magnificent today, and they showed a real good spirited performance."

The result itself didn't do Yeovil too many favours, seeing them slip one more place in the table, and down to 21st, and just one point above a trio of clubs that are currently propping up the table. It also meant that Way's side have gained just two points from their last six matches, as they head to the halfway stage of the season. However, Way preferred to factor in the club's results in recent cup competitions, having gained victories in the EFL Trophy and FA Cup. He said that once scores in all competitions were factored in, he believed there was progress:

"We have lost two out of eight in all competitions and you can see the progression is there. I did not expect this season would be easy, as much as I want to be in a higher position the players have given everything. It is a great point for us. Mansfield have a budget that is probably double ours and this is a hard place to come. I am really pleased for the players. We know our away performances have got to be better. The hard work and the effort is there but we have to make sure that we keep growing and keep the group together."

http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=27928

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Glovers boss hails 'great point' at Mansfield
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 16 December 2017

Under-pressure Yeovil Town boss Darren Way declared today's 0-0 draw at Mansfield Town a 'great point' as his side held their nerve under intense pressure. It was only the Glovers' second point in six League Two games and Way smiled: “We kept it simple today. We wanted a spirited performance and in the first half we created the better of the chances.

“We were unlucky not to be one or two up at the break. It is a hard place to come here, the emotions were high and it is lively when you come here.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/glovers-boss-hails-great-point-at-mansfield-1-8914148

“The players held their nerve. The players were magnificent today, they showed a real good spirit of performance.”

Despite their League form, they have had good cup results and he added: “We have lost two out of eight in all competitions and you can see the progression is there.

“I did not expect this season would be easy, as much as I want to be in a higher position the players have given everything.” He added: “It is a great point for us. Mansfield have a budget that is probably double ours and this is a hard place to come.

“I am really pleased for the players. We know our away performances have got to be better. “The hard work and the effort is there but we have to make sure that we keep growing and keep the group together.”

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