Archived News from September 2019
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I’ve learned a lot from first ten games, says boss
mansfieldtown.net, Tues 24 Sep 2019 Stags’ boss John Dempster has reflected on his first ten league games as manager of Mansfield Town, saying that he has ‘learned to no end’ and has ‘never been more motivated’ to achieve success with the amber and blue. His comments follow what was arguably Mansfield’s best performance of the season to date away at Port Vale on Saturday, a match in which they were denied three points in stoppage time by a scrappy Nathan Smith equaliser. The manager believes that the Stags have ‘turned a corner’ and he is prepared to ‘embrace the challenge ahead.’ “To say that I’ve learned a lot and experienced a lot [in the first ten games] would be an understatement,” he began. “As a landmark of ten games, I feel like I’ve been through a lot. I’ve learned to no end from the experiences I’ve had and the mistakes I’ve made and I’ve never been more motivated and more confident that we’ve turned a corner. “I’ve played in successful teams and over the course of the season there are ups and downs. What you have to do is remain strong and positive. If you can ride out the bad times and embrace the good times, that’s what successful teams do. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/september/gaffer-pre-plymouth/ “I’ve learned a lot about myself and a lot about human nature. I’m certainly a stronger person for it. It’s definitely hardened me and I’m going to embrace the challenge ahead.” Speaking about last week’s backroom alterations, the manager added: “It’s important that we all come together and I feel like we have. We made some changes last week which was tough, as the three members of staff that left [goalkeeper coach Ian Pledger, fitness coach Daryl Taylor and senior performance analyst Dan Ashby] were all good servants for the club. “But we felt like we needed fresh impetus. Going on into the future, Conrad Logan will lead the goalkeepers. “Drewe Broughton [performance coach] has vast experience in football from playing, which led him into the fitness work when he retired and into the work he’s been doing most recently from the mental point of view. He will add value in both of those departments. “He is someone that brings energy to the group and is inspiring. He is a great person to have around and is someone I can bounce ideas off.” The boss reflected on Saturday’s hugely ‘positive’ performance at Vale Park, and asked for more of the same this weekend when Mansfield host Plymouth Argyle. “There were a lot of positives [from Saturday’s match with Port Vale],” he said. “The group and I feel we’ve turned a real corner. “The level of performance was high. Man-for-man, they [players] performed really well and we’ll be asking for more of the same on Saturday [against Plymouth]. “When the players play with that bravery and intensity, not only will we be successful, but it’s great to see. “What you have to be aware of is, when you’re asking players to be brave in pressurised situations, you have to remember that they’re human beings and they might make mistakes. “We have to correct that and make sure we’re at our very best consistently. If we can tighten up in those crucial moments, we’ll go up the league table. “One thing that was great to see [after Port Vale] was the players’ reactions in the dressing room. There was a lot of emotion and that’s what you want. You want to see people that care and put it right.” Continuing his analysis of the Port Vale match, John Dempster hailed the travelling support from the Mansfield faithful, the Stags’ largest away following of the campaign with 679 making the journey to the Potteries. The boss says that the ‘incredible’ away support reminded him of previous big games he featured in as a Mansfield player. “How we were supported by the amber and blue army on Saturday was incredible. The noise they made, it sounded like thousands. It sends a shiver up your spine when they’re at full voice. “Speaking to the players after the game, what is apparent is that the supporters make a real difference to them. “I understand that there is frustration but what I would ask for is full backing to the players because I think on Saturday in particular, the noise they made was incredible. “They [players] talk about the support and about being with them. They understand that it’s up to us to give them something to sing about. “When it [support] was echoing around Port Vale’s stadium, it was fantastic and brought memories back of the big games that I’ve played in for the club. “The Hereford game [in 2013] is something that I’ll take to my grave. That feeling of euphoria when Greeny [Matt Green] put the ball in the back of the net. They were brilliant memories. “When I first came to the club I spoke about making memories, and being honest, the first ten games haven’t been good enough. But I feel confident and positive and have faith that we have turned a corner. “We have some real supporters that maybe don’t believe at this moment in time, but they’re willing me to do well.” Looking ahead to Mansfield’s next match against Plymouth at One Call Stadium this Saturday, the boss added: “Plymouth were very unlucky in their last game against Cheltenham. They hit the woodwork a few times and created a lot of chances. “They are a team that will climb the league there is no doubt about that. Ryan Lowe is a very talented young manager - what he produced last season was an incredible achievement. “The players they [Plymouth] have recruited, they have some very good players. They are a big football club that are very well supported. “With his [Ryan Lowe’s] ability as a manager, there is no doubt about it, they will climb the league table.” John Dempster also provided an injury update, revealing that goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik (below), who has been sidelined since last year with an ACL injury, is in contention to start against the Pilgrims. “Bobby Olejnik came through a practice game on the top pitch yesterday and will be in contention for Saturday [against Plymouth]. “Bobby has been the ultimate pro’ throughout his injury and that’s why he’s progressed quickly over time. For him to come through that practice game on Monday was great to see. “Nicky Maynard will train on Thursday or Friday. Davo [Craig Davies] is probably three weeks away [from returning to training]. “When a player is injured for that length of time it can be really psychologically draining. It can be tough for a player that has been out for that long and he can’t wait to be back in and around the lads.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------------ Manager John Dempster confident Mansfield Town have turned the corner after difficult start chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Manager John Dempster believes his Mansfield Town side have finally turned a corner. Despite only two wins in the first 10 League Two games, which also saw 10 players unavailable at one time, Dempster saw enough in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Port Vale to suggest the hangover of last season’s promotion disappointment is finally over and they can begin to climb the table, starting with Saturday’s home clash with a powerful Plymouth Argyle. “There were a lot of positives last weekend,” he said after his side dominated only to twice concede stoppage time equalisers in each half. “The group and I feel like we’ve turned a real corner - and I firmly believe results will follow. “The level of performance was high. Man for man, if you go through the starting XI, they all performed really well and covered every blade of grass. That’s the kind of team I expect to represent me and what I am about. “We will be asking for more of the same on Saturday and, going forward, throughout the season, and results will come. “When the players play with that bravery and intensity of getting the ball back, not only will we be successful, it’s great to watch as well.” Dempster showed the door to three of his backroom staff last week while bringing in the inspirational Drewe Broughton to help with the mental side of the game for his players as he tries to end the hangover of last season’s play-offs defeat. “There has been a bit of a hangover from last season which I was well aware of. That is natural when there has been disappointment,” he said. “But didn’t realise how much it would linger on. It was probably my job to nip it in the bid sooner - and I felt I had. “It is important we all come together and get past that - and I think we now have. “We made some changes last week, which was tough as the three members of staff who left were very good people and good servants for the club. “But we felt like we needed some fresh impetus and we are moving forward. I probably should have made more changes earlier.” Dempster admitted it had been a baptism of fire in his first managerial role and feels it has already made him stronger. “After a landmark of 10 games I feel like I have been through a hell of a lot,” he said. “I feel I have learned no end from the experiences I have had and the mistakes I have made. “I have never been more motivated and more confident we have turned a corner and will start to climb the table. But we will need to produce the performances we did on Saturday and against Cambridge until the sending-off. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/manager-john-dempster-confident-mansfield-town-have-turned-the-corner-after-difficult-start-1-10015221 “I have played in successful teams and there are always ups and downs over a season. “Different things happen and you have to remain strong and positive and have faith it will turn. If you can ride out the bad times and embrace the good times and ride the momentum, that’s what successful clubs do.” He added: “To say it’s been eventful is an understatement. I have learned a lot about myself and a lot about players, human nature, and how people react in different circumstances. “I am a stronger person for it - and I considered myself quite a tough cookie in the first place. It’s definitely hardened me and I am going to embrace the challenge ahead. “It has surprised me how complex football management is. You are managing up, you are managing down and you are managing sideways. “There is the human side of it. The players want to do well and they hold their hands up and admit they have under-performed for the first 10 games.” Dempster said the pressure of the job not only affected him but also a wider circle of people connected to him “I always knew the pressure would be big. But I probably didn’t realise the knock-on effect it would have to your friends and family,” he said. “They are all desperate for you to do well. Your close friends and family are kicking every ball with you but you get messages of support as well from old friends and distant friends. “I have had messages from former team mates, players in America who were at the academy a few years ago, wishing me well, parents of players I have worked with. “The pressure is massive and I think when you have played for the club and been here a number of years, with the length of time I have, then the pressure is probably bigger.” He concluded: “Some managers have a short term vision for themselves where I feel that I’ve got a long term vision for the football club and myself. “I was aware there would be pressure. But it’s not something I’d ever shy away from and I will embrace it. I am fortunate to have the support I have got.” ------------------------ Delight as Mansfield Town keeper Bobby Olejnik is finally ready for comeback after nine months out injured chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik could make his long-awaited return to the first team squad for Saturday’s visit of Plymouth Argyle. The Austrian suffered a serious knee injury in training last December and it has been a long, hard road back for him. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/delight-as-mansfield-town-keeper-bobby-olejnik-is-finally-ready-for-comeback-after-nine-months-out-injured-1-10015230 But, providing there are no setbacks this week, Olejnik should be in contention for the weekend. “Bobby Olejnik played in a practice game on the main pitch yesterday and performed very well which was great to see,” smiled manager John Dempster. “He came through it brilliantly and will now be in contention for a place on Saturday. “It gave everybody a lift when he returned to training daily with the players as he is someone who is respected around the dressing room “Bobby has been the ultimate pro throughout his injury and that’s why is has progressed quickly over time and returned sooner than expected. “He has worked brilliantly with Ian Pledger previously and over the last couple of days with Conrad Logan and Aidan Stone.” -------------------- Mansfield Town boost as striker Craig Davies is on course for a November first team return chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town could finally have striker Craig Davies available again in November as he looks to be winning his long battle with ankle problems. The much-travelled 33-year-old has become a forgotten figure at the One Call Stadium after a succession of operations and setbacks in his bid to regain fitness. Davies only made five League Two starts for Stags after a move from Oldham in summer 2018 and his last outing was as a half-time sub in a home Checkatrade Trophy game with Bury on Tuesday, 4th December last year. But things are now looking much brighter, despite recent rumours among fans that his career could be over, and manager John Dempster said: “Davo is probably three weeks away from being back training with the squad on a daily basis. I had a really good chat with him the other day. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boost-as-striker-craig-davies-is-on-course-for-a-november-first-team-return-1-10017573 “Then it will be about getting him match ready with some reserve games throughout October and really upping his training load, doing additional work.” He added: “There have been different comments made about Davo and the length of time he has been out. “When a player is out for that length of time it can be really psychologically draining. “Don’t get me wrong. There are people worse off in the world. He still gets to come in and work with great medical staff and he is well paid. “But it’s still tough to be out that long and he can’t wait get back and get in and around the lads. “He will be like a new signing and the sooner we can get him back the better.” Stags have already welcomed fellow long term injured star Bobby Olejnik back into the first team squad this week. ----------------------- Plymouth Argyle will be in glory hunt believes Mansfield Town boss John Dempster chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town manager John Dempster believes Saturday’s visitors Plymouth Argyle are among the frontrunners for promotion, despite Ryan Lowe’s men taking just two points from the last five games. Dempster said: “After five games people were thinking Plymouth would run away with the league - and rightly so - because of their manager, how highly thought of he is, and what he achieved last season. “You look at the players they have recruited and their attendances - they are a very big club. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/plymouth-argyle-will-be-in-glory-hunt-believes-mansfield-town-boss-john-dempster-1-10018666 “But the face of the matter is they are only two points ahead of us and it shows you how competitive the league is and that it is still early days. “They were very unlucky in their last game against Cheltenham. “Cheltenham have had a great start to the season and what a job their manager is doing there, but Plymouth were unfortunate and hit the woodwork several times and created opportunity. “When we speak about a false look to the league table that is certainly the case with Plymouth’s situation. They are a team who will climb the league - I have no doubt about that. “Ryan is a very talented young manager. He has only been in post for a season and a bit. But what he produced last season from his players at Bury, despite the difficulties going on in the background, was an incredible achievement. “Plymouth will climb the league table and we just have to make sure that’s not on Saturday. “They were among my promotion favourites pre-season and still are. You look at the players they have recruited. They have some very good players and they are a big club. “They came down from League One and sometimes relegated sides take a bit of time to get going with the changes that happen. “But they are very well supported and he’s been very well backed. “With his ability as a manager there is no doubt they will climb that table.” A lot has changed since the closing weeks of the last campaign, when a run of eight games without a win saw them slide from mid-table security into the bottom four. Derek Adams was dismissed after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley in the penultimate match and, despite a 3-2 home win against Scunthorpe United in the final game, they were relegated on goal difference. Ryan Lowe arrived from Bury on a three-year contract with a reputation for playing attacking football and made 11 new signings so, perhaps not surprisingly, things have not gelled yet. Lowe was excellent with his public relations when he came into the club. He was so positive and upbeat that at times it was easy to forget Argyle were coming off a relegation campaign. Back-to-back wins at the start of the league season further fuelled the optimism that he generated around the club and there was a gate of 11,500 for a Tuesday night game against Salford City at Home Park in August. Pre-season expectations were a top seven spot, preferably a top three finish and that remains the case, but clearly there is a lot of hard work ahead for Lowe and his players after picking up 12 points from the first 10 games. Lowe’s Bury were the top goalscorers in League Two last season and he wants to implement a similar style at Argyle. He is determined to stick to his belief in a 3-1-4-2 formation, with a lot of onus on the wing-backs to get forward and join the attacks. At the moment, it is still very much a work in progress as the players - those who were at the club last term and the summer acquisitions - try to gel together as an effective unit. Plymouth’s main summer departures were 19-goal top scorer Freddie Ladapo to Rotherham United in a £500,000 transfer. Playmaking duo Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras also moved on as free agents, to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia and newly-promoted Portuguese top flight club Famalicao respectively. Talented Bury midfielder Danny Mayor was the main summer signing for Lowe, with defender Will Aimson, wing-back Callum McFadzean and attacking duo Byron Moore and Dom Telford also making the same moves. Inevitably, Mayor has been the stand out performer after rejoining his former boss. He has had a couple of less effective games but, generally, he has shown why so many pundits regard him as one of the most gifted playmakers in League Two. Mayor has been a marked man all season, and has got some rough treatment in recent games against Port Vale and Cheltenham Town, which Argyle felt was not dealt with properly by lenient referees. --------------------- Boss John Dempster thanks Mansfield Town fans for sticking behind him after difficult start chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Rookie boss John Dempster has thanked the vast majority of Mansfield Town’s supporters for their backing of him during a difficult opening month of the season. With a new manager, some new faces and new ideas, Mansfield were without 10 players through injury and suspension in the opening weeks and have won just two of their first 12 matches. However, the rookie boss believes his side have now turned the corner as form has improved as players have returned and said of the fans: “How we were supported last Saturday from the Amber & Blue army was incredible. “The noise they made sounded like thousands and they send a real shiver up the spine when they are at full voice. “It makes a massive difference to the players. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/boss-john-dempster-thanks-mansfield-town-fans-for-sticking-behind-him-after-difficult-start-1-10018898 “I do understand the frustrations and that some people might not fully believe. But what I would ask for is their full backing for the players. “I know it’s down to us to make them come with us and give them something to sing about. That is our responsibility without a doubt.” He added: “When it was echoing around Port Vale’s stadium you could even see the bench looking at each other. It was fantastic and brought back memories for me of the big games I played in for the club. “When I first took the job I spoke about making memories and being honest the first 10 games have not been good enough. “But I feel confident and positive and will embrace the next 10 games. I have faith we have turned the corner and will be successful.” Dempster came in for some vile personal abuse from a small number of fans after the home defeat by Cambridge and said: “I was disappointed with myself after the Cambridge game because I mentioned a couple of idiots who probably don’t deserve the airtime. “What I should be talking about is the supporters who are real. “I am not just talking about people who are positive about me. “We have some real supporters who maybe don’t quite believe at this moment in time - but they are willing me to do well. “They have got their opinion, which they are entitled to. That’s fine. “There are also wonderful people around the club who back me to the hilt - and I am not just talking about the owners and the board. “After the Cambridge game I was coming off to some abuse and little Anne in the office was squaring up to fully grown men. “Danielle, who works around the ground, came in on Monday morning to make sure I am okay. It’s people like that you want to do well for, not just yourself. “To say I have learned a lot and experienced a lot would be an understatement.” ------------------ Mansfield Town announce new backroom set-up after trio leave chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town have outlined their new backroom set-up after showing three staff members the door last week. Goalkeeper coach Ian Pledger, fitness coach Daryl Taylor and senior performance analyst Dan Ashby were all been released from their contracts. Current No.1 Conrad Logan will be the new goalkeeping coach, head of recruitment Andy Burgess will look after scouting and match analysis while new recruit Drewe Broughton will help with on-field coaching and off-field psychological help for players and staff. “Moving forward, Conrad Logan will lead the goalkeepers. He is a very experienced player and does have coaching experience too,” said boss John Dempster, who felt the set-up needed freshening up after a disappointing start to the season. “Andrew Burgess has managed to set up a scouting strategy that covers games nationwide at different levels which is not at massive cost to the club. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-announce-new-backroom-set-up-after-trio-leave-1-10018987 “That is brilliant and one of the reasons why I brought him in as not only does know the game he is also a very intelligent person who has put that in place. “He will now take the lead on some of the more analytical work.” Dempster was particularly excited by the qualities offered by ex-striker Broughton. “Drewe Broughton has a vast experience in football from playing which led him into the fitness work and more of the physical side of the game as he retired,” he said. “That later led him into the work he has been doing recently, working with players from the mental point of view. “He will add value in both of those departments. He will lead things like warm-ups, the S&C sessions we do on a Tuesday and Thursday with his own twist on those, and also provide support for players and staff by being someone you can go and talk to. “He is someone who will bring energy to the group and someone who is quite inspiring when he speaks. “He is a great person to have around and someone I can bounce ideas off. He will challenge me and challenge other staff. “It brings a fresh impetus to what I felt needed freshening up.” Dempster said Broughton’s own experiences in the game will serve him well in helping others with problems. “He is a voice and very, very positive,” said Dempster. “When he played he was known as a bit of a hatchet man if I am being honest. He was someone you didn’t want to play against as he was very aggressive. “But he had a lot of demons so he can relate to players and how they are feeling. “Players sometimes put a facade on when they are really struggling. He will bring confidence and motivation to the group.” He added: “We have changed our training timetable slightly where Draw will work with the players sometimes, not only out on the pitch but also inside the wonderful facilities we have here in the R&H Academy. “We will make use of the staff and get the best out of them and, in turn, we’ll get the best out of the players.” -------------------- Be brave and I will forgive mistakes Mansfield Town boss John Dempster tells his players chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS John Dempster is happy to forgive his payers for making mistakes if they are being brave and trying to make things happen. Mansfield Town have had an uncomfortable start to the new season and boss Dempster is now asking them to step up a gear ahead of the Plymouth Argyle visit tomorrow https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/be-brave-and-i-will-forgive-mistakes-mansfield-town-boss-john-dempster-tells-his-players-1-10019040 “You have to have a balance,” he said. “When you are asking players to go and get the ball and be brave in pressurised situations you have to realise they are human beings. They will give the ball away sometimes. “When you are asking players to go and press high up the pitch and give you everything and run. “When a little voice on their shoulders tells them they are knackered and you’re asking them to run again you have to be aware that sometimes they will blow up, even if they are as fit as a fiddle. You’re asking them to run their socks off for you. “They will make mistakes. Teams do concede in the last minute - you will see that up and down the country again on Saturday.” Dempster was also delighted to see the passion in his players exchanging angry words in the dressing room after a last gasp equaliser allowed Port Vale a point last weekend. “It was great to see the players’ reaction in the dressing room,” he said. “There have been times I have walked in there and they have been silent as we’ve not had the performance or result we’ve wanted. “On Saturday there was a lot of emotion and arguments which is what you want. “You want to see people who care and want to put it right. It was a group of men who had performed well but want to do better.” ------------------------ Mansfield Town lifted by Hayden White return chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Boss John Dempster believes the return of Hayden White to the first team fold is a big boost for Mansfield Town. After recovering from a broken leg last season and then taking a nasty kick to the same injury this season, Mansfield Town’s ‘stepover king’ has had a frustrating time. But, asked to play left centre half of a three at Port Vale last weekend, White defended well and got himself involved going forward too. “I thought Hayden played superbly for a player that had not played for a number of weeks,” said Dempster. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-lifted-by-hayden-white-return-1-10019034 “I thought he was excellent both in defence and attack. “We want our wide centre halves in that back three to join in, get on the ball and play with a real bravery. Hayden did that in abundance on Saturday. “He stifled a lot of Port Vale’s attacks with his pace and defensive nous but also started a lot of our attacks. “He got Kellan Gordon a little bit higher up, getting crosses in, who was excellent for a 21-year-old and has been. I was really pleased with what Hayden brought to the table on Saturday.” --------------------- We feel we’ve turned a corner - wing-back mansfieldtown.net, Tues 24 Sep 2019 Mansfield Town wing-back Kellan Gordon believes the Stags are turning a corner following Saturday’s improved performance at Port Vale. The wide-man opened the scoring before the amber and blue conceded a last-gasp Nathan Smith leveller in a 2-2 draw. The 21-year-old, however, says the Stags’ performances are ‘getting better each week’ and that with the continuation of this trend, ‘the results will come.’ “The bravery we’ve shown in games, getting on the ball and moving it well,” he began. “Teams can’t deal with us when we are moving the ball like that. It’s just the finer details now and not conceding the goals.” https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/september/gordon-pre-plymouth/ The ex-Derby County youngster also referred to the Stags’ start to the season as ‘a bit of a rollercoaster,’ before adding: “Some of the losses and draws we’ve had could easily have been wins. It’s been a hard one to take but the positives are that the performances are improving each week and I’m sure we’ll start to get results. “You don’t get the points without the result. The performance can be as good as you want but if you don’t get the result it means nothing in a sense. But I believe by the performances getting better, the results will come.” The wing-back’s finish against Port Vale was his first in Mansfield colours with the 21-year-old ‘buzzing’ to open his account. “It was a brilliant feeling, especially to do it in-front of the Stags’ fans as well.” He also spoke of his praise for the club and the welcome he has received since signing from Derby in the summer. “Since I’ve come here it’s been brilliant - the players, the staff, the manager; from the second I’ve got here they have all been supportive of me and I think you can see that by the trust the gaffer has put in me by playing me in a lot of the games,” he said. Additionally, Gordon provided his thoughts on Saturday’s opponents Plymouth Argyle ahead of their meeting visit to the One Call Stadium. “We know Plymouth are a good side; results aren’t going their way at the minute but they are a team we know will be up there. They are a big club so it’s always a challenge and that’s what we need to go up against, the big clubs. “Taking in what we showed on Saturday, being brave on the ball and moving the opposition about will hopefully get us the result we’re looking for.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Kellan’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------- Wing back Kellan Gordon believes Mansfield Town are now finally on the path to success ahead of Plymouth Argyle clash chad.co.uk. by JOHN LOMAS Wing back Kellan Gordon believes Mansfield Town can see off the challenge of Plymouth Argyle at the One Call Stadium on Saturday if they maintain their recent improved form. Gordon, 21, bagged his first goal for the Stags in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Port Vale and said: “Saturday that was the main game you could probably tell we have turned a corner - the bravery to get on the ball, moving it well, and the chances we created. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/video-wing-back-kellan-gordon-believes-mansfield-town-are-now-finally-on-the-path-to-success-ahead-of-plymouth-argyle-clash-1-10016694 “We’re getting better each week and I do feel personally we can 100 per cent turn this around. “Teams can’t really deal with us when we are moving the ball like that. It’s just the finer details now and not conceding the goals. “We know Plymouth are a good side; results aren’t going their way at the minute, but they are a team we know will be up there. “They are a big club who will be fighting to be up there too, so it’s always a good challenge and that’s what we need to go up against, the big clubs. “Taking in what we showed on Saturday, being brave on the ball and moving the opposition about will hopefully get us the result we’re looking for. We just need to keep doing what we have been doing.” Ironically, Gordon’s goal at Port Vale was his first since netting against the Stags for Lincoln 10 months ago. “You could see I was buzzing to finally get off the mark,” he smiled. “It is actually something I want to add to my game and it was a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders to finally score. “It was a brilliant feeling, especially to do it in front of the Stags’ fans as well. “I have personal targets on goals and assists that I have set myself but I don’t want to put them out there just to put pressure on myself. Assists are what you want from your wing back. “It’s been a while since I scored and I’ve put pressure on myself to score. My last one was actually against Mansfield last year.” He added: “I think it was probably my best game for Mansfield so far. I scored and I was consistent throughout the game. “I feel like I am getting more and more comfortable as the game go on, but it’s not really about me personally, it’s about the team getting points on the board.” Despite Gordon’s goal, Stags twice conceded late goals in each half at Vale Park to pick up only a point for their significant efforts last Saturday. “It was tough one to take after how we had played in the game,” he said. “We didn’t feel we deserved that. But they are the fine margins we need to now work on and get better at. “We didn’t really give them a lot of chances and they didn’t have many shots on our goal. So to concede the way we did was not a good feeling. “They came right at the end of each half - the first just before half-time when we should have been going in 1-0 up and then at the end of the game when we were winning. They are tight margins.” Stags players exchanged strong words with each other in a post-match inquest and Gordon said: “It was needed. “You need clarity in a changing room and the lads need to express their opinions. It’s a sign of a healthy dressing room. “We all know what we need to work on and we need to get it out in the open.” Mansfield have won just two of their games so far ahead of the Plymouth visit and Gordon admitted: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster to be fair. “Some of the losses and draws we’ve had could easily have been wins. “It’s been a hard one to take but the positives are that the performances are improving each week and I’m sure the results will come. “We need to tighten up as a group but we are playing a lot better than we started off. “But you don’t get the points without the result. The performance can be as good as you want but if you don’t get the result it means nothing in a sense. But I believe by the performances getting better, the results will come.” “We have to stay brave and keep playing and not get our heads down when it’s not going our way. I believe we have got the players in the side to turn games around. “The fans have stayed on our side as you could see by the support we had on Saturday when they were singing away until the end of the game.” Gordon was a summer signing from Derby County and is enjoying his early days as a Stag. “Since I’ve come here it’s been brilliant - the players, the staff, the manager; from the second I’ve got here they have all been supportive of me and I think you can see that by the trust the gaffer has put in me by playing me in a lot of the games,” he said. “I have walked into a very, very good squad and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I want keep my performances strong, stay in the team and help them get where they want to be.” ----------------------- How close did Mansfield Town's Nicky Maynard come to joining Plymouth Argyle? chad.co.ul Ryan Lowe has admitted he held discussions with striker Nicky Maynard about a possible move to Plymouth Argyle this summer. Maynard scored 21 goals for Lowe’s Bury when they clinched promotion from League Two last season. Lowe then took up his post at Argyle in June, amid the financial crisis at Bury which eventually led to them being expelled from the EFL. Maynard, 32, also moved on from Bury to Mansfield Town at the start of July. Lowe will take his Argyle side to play Mansfield at Field Mill on Saturday, but it is not clear whether Maynard will be in the Stags’ squad or not. He has missed the last two matches due to injury so it seems unlikely he will start the game. Lowe brought five players with him to Argyle from Bury over the summer and he was linked with a few others - Maynard among them. Ahead of the trip to Mansfield, Lowe spoke about his former Crewe Alexandra team-mate, who played in the Premier League for Cardiff City, and whether he had tried to sign him this summer. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/how-close-did-mansfield-town-s-nicky-maynard-come-to-joining-plymouth-argyle-1-10019642?fbclid=IwAR0fkY3lGlmI4slDZLgDYoRzvmtPfEpmD7mW04k7PMxDu9GuAiLYmHo4gvk Lowe said: “We had discussions, but he has got a family. We didn’t get to the point where it was a yeah or a no. It was a conversation. “What you have got to understand is that I’m good friends with Nicky from my Crewe days. “I spoke to him on a regular basis when he was playing in the Premier League, when he was playing in the Championship. “I obviously brought him to Bury and reignited his career a little bit for him. “Yeah, there were discussions but I ain’t going to force anyone to come anywhere. The club sells itself, as I have said before, and the players that come to me I was happy with. “He chose to move to Mansfield on a free transfer. That was his call and I don’t begrudge that really.” Maynard has so far made seven starts for Mansfield and scored two goals. When asked how good Maynard had been for Bury, Lowe replied: “Just as good as everyone else. “Yeah, he scored 20 goals but he was just as good as Danny Mayor, Callum McFadzean, Will Aimson, Jay O’Shea, Dom Telford, Byron Moore.” Mansfield, like Argyle, were among the pre-season favourites for promotion from League Two. Like Argyle also, they have had a disappointing start to the campaign under manager John Dempster. The 36-year-old replaced David Flitcroft in May, shortly after the Stags’ League Two play-off semi-final defeat to Newport County, as he stepped up from the role of academy manager. Mansfield are in 19th position in the table after a 2-2 draw at port Vale last Saturday, two points behind Argyle. Lowe said: “John has gone in there. He’s another young manager who has been given an opportunity. “He’s trying to do it the right way but he will be saying the same thing, it just doesn’t happen overnight. “I think he has brought in six or seven players in himself. Sometimes it takes time to gel.” He added: “We will be going to Mansfield full of confidence, creating chances and hoping to get points.” -------------------- |
Latest | September 2019