Archived News from June 2019
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PEARCE TARGETS CLEAN SHEET RECORD
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Skipper targets clean sheet record
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 03 June 2019 Mansfield skipper Krystian Pearce has described a ‘very positive’ meeting with manager John Dempster, and has already targeted 25 clean sheets ahead of next season, the current divisional record. The Stags kept 18 clean sheets last term and maintained the best defensive record in Sky Bet League Two, conceding 41 goals in 46 games. Pearce says that the ‘ambition’ of new boss John Dempster was one of many positives he took from the one-to-one meeting, whilst also outlining his targets for next term. “It [meeting with manager John Dempster] was very positive,” he said. “He told me that the ambition is still the same - to get promoted - which was a big deal for me. “That is the ultimate aim for me, to get promotion. He [John Dempster] is looking to strengthen the team, but doesn’t want to change too much. It [meeting] was positive. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/june/pearce-03-june/ “I know the gaffer [John Dempster] is going to try and bring in a few more bodies so hopefully they come in and add to what we’ve already got. “Obviously Tyler [Walker] has gone back to his club [Nottingham Forest] so obviously we need to find a replacement for him. “We know we have a good squad and the majority of the players are under contract. We’re in a good place going into the new season. “Our defence was the best in the league [last season] - 18 clean sheets - so we want to try and build on that and go again next season. “I think 25 [clean sheets] is the record in a season, so that’s what the target is for next season. “The more you play with somebody, the more you know their strengths and weaknesses. You build an understanding and that’s what we [defence] did. “Playing alongside Sweens [Ryan Sweeney] and Pressie [Matt Preston], two very good centre-backs, there was a nice balance and we complement each other well.” The 29-year-old says his focus is now on thinking positive ahead of the upcoming 2019-20 campaign. “It [last season] ended a bit disappointingly. Our aim was promotion and we fell short,” he added. “We just have to move on now ahead of next season. I’ve tried not to think too much about last season, I’ve tried to focus on the season coming. “I think we just lacked that cutting edge at the important moments [last season]. We had chances to kill off certain games and we didn’t do that. “I don’t really want to dwell on that too much, we just have to focus on the season coming up. We have to think positive. “My objectives are always the same - I want to win every game. I want a clean sheet every game - so 46 clean sheets and 46 wins! “Any competitor wants to win, and I see myself as a competitor. I hate losing, so I give my all to give myself the best chance of being on the winning team.” The Stags’ captain also described Mansfield as his ‘home,’ while speaking about his secret to consistency. “It [Mansfield] is home for me. Only Mal [Benning] has been here longer, so we’ve been here a long time - but we’re still enjoying it, which is the main thing. “I just want to get myself right now for next season. I want to make sure I’m in the best possible condition for pre-season and get a good pre-season under my belt. “I think [being consistent] is about doing the right things on and off the pitch. I keep my same routine and try to do the right things.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the skipper’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------ Mansfield Town skipper Krystian Pearce believes promotion heartbreak may have been down to inexperience in the squad chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 03 June 2019 Mansfield Town skipper Krystian Pearces believes an element of inexperience in the squad may have cost the club promotion last season. But the ‘Chief’ has quickly put the heartbreak of missing out behind him and now only has eyes for next season and another bid for glory. Stags lost their winner-takes-all automatic promotion game at MK Dons in the final game of the regular season before crashing out of the play-offs to Newport County in the semi-finals and seeing boss David Flitcroft sacked. “Obviously it ended a bit disappointingly,” said Pearce. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-skipper-krystian-pearce-believes-promotion-heartbreak-may-have-been-down-to-inexperience-in-the-squad-1-9801783 “Our aim was promotion and we fell short, even though we made massive progress last season. “We have come a long way since I have been at the club. “I think we just lacked that cutting edge at the important moments. “We had chances to kill off certain games but didn’t do that at times. Maybe it was a bit of inexperience? I don’t know. “But we just have to move on now next season. “I have tried not to think too much about last season as I want to focus more on the season coming and getting over the line.” Pearce said having largely the same squad next season was a plus point though knows the Stags will need more firepower up front. “We know we have got a good squad and the majority of players are under contract, so we are in a good place going into next season,” he said. “I know the gaffer is going to try to bring in a few more bodies, so hopefully they will come in and add to what we’ve already got and we can go from there. “Tyler Walker has gone back to his club so obviously we are going to have to find a replacement for him. “That front line is where we are going to be looking to strengthen the most.” Pearce was part of the division’s meanest defence last season and now wants to aim for the best clean sheets record of 25. “Our defence was the best in the league - I think we averaged below a goal a game - and got 18 clean sheets,” he said. “So we’re just trying to build on that and go again next season. “We spoke about the record last season - 25 in a season - so that’s our target next season.” Pearce was a rock in defence alongside Ryan Sweeney and Matt Preston, with Ben Turner coming in to show his talents late on as well. “The more you play with someone the more you know their strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “You build an understanding, which is what we did. We played quite consistently with each other which helps. “I played alongside Sweens and Pressie - two very good centre backs, then Turns came in as well. It’s a nice balance and we complement each other well.” He added: “My objectives for next season are always the same. I want to win every game. I want a clean sheet every game. So 46 wins and 46 clean sheets!” Pearce will be starting his fifth season as a Stag and said: “This is home for me now and I am trying to make it my own. “Only Mal Benning has been here longer, by about a week. But I think I have played more games than him. “We have both been here a long time but we’re still enjoying it which is the main thing.” Pearce enjoyed his first one-to-one meeting with new manager John Dempster. “It was a very positive meeting,” he said. “Obviously he told me the ambition was still the same to get promoted, which is a big deal for me as that is my ultimate aim. “He told me he is trying to strengthen the team though he doesn’t want to change too much.” ---------------------- |
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