Archived News from May 2011
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COX WANTS TO APPOINT RICHARD COOPER AS ASSISTANT
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Stags boss Cox wants to appoint Cooper as his No.2 Evening Post, 21 May 201 PAUL Cox today revealed he is keen to appoint Richard Cooper as his assistant at Mansfield Town. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Stags-boss-Cox-wants-appoint-Cooper-2/article-3579700-detail/article.html? The new Stags boss worked with the former Nottingham Forest trainee at his previous club Eastwood Town. Together, the duo guided the Badgers to a fourth place finish in the Blue Square Bet North. Cox wants that partnership to continue as he looks to mould Mansfield into a top five Blue Square Bet Premier side. That will almost certainly spell the end for Paul Hall at Mansfield, the former assistant boss having taken temporary charge following the departure of Duncan Russell. "I am keen to appoint an assistant and I work really well with Richard," said Cox. "He has a good pedigree in the game having started out at Forest and having had an excellent career in non-league football. "He's also done his UEFA coaching licences and is someone who I have been able to bounce ideas off, which is important. "Sometimes as a manager you need to take in another person's point of view. "But there are some issues that would need to be resolved with regard to Richard's work for it to happen. "It's an unfortunate situation for Paul, but like almost any other manager, I like to bring in my own people." Cox is looking to take inspiration from the likes of the past two Blue Square Bet Premier champions, Stevenage and Crawley, and how they have put their squads together. He is looking to fuse a mixture of youth and experience, as well as grit and ability. Cox said: "You have to look at those two teams as a model because they've shown what it takes to be successful at this level. They have got the mix right for what is required. "Stevenage have gone up and got in the play-offs in League Two as well with almost the same squad and I'm sure Crawley will do well next year. "Crawley have done it with some players from the Football League, but also people like Matt Tubbs who they got from the same level (Salisbury) and people from the level below like Kyle McFadzean (Alfreton). "But it isn't a case of me coming in and now having to start looking – I already have been. "There are plenty of good players out there – it's all about picking the right ones and moulding them together." ------------ Cox admits he may face Naylor battle at Mansfield Evening Post, 25 May 2011 PAUL Cox today admitted today there are no guarantees Tom Naylor will be at Mansfield Town next season – but said he would love the central defender to be a key part of his plans. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Cox-admits-face-Naylor-battle-Mansfield/article-3592407-detail/article.html? The teenager – under contract at Field Mill for next season – is reportedly being tracked by Championship side Leeds United, among other Football League clubs. The interest follows a string of impressive displays from the youngster after being given an opportunity to prove himself in the second half of 2010-11. Stags manager Cox understands why Naylor should attract such attention and says they would have to take any serious bids that do come in on their merits. “It's the first I have heard of it, but if the word on the street is that Leeds United are interested then I am pleased for Tom,” said Cox. “Every person in football has a price and if Leeds are interested then I hope they will contact myself and we can do things properly and have a chat. “If it is in the best interests of the club for Tom to move on then fair enough, but I want to be in the market for keeping our best players, “What I would say is that the rumour mill will always be active at this time of year and until anyone contacts us, he will be at Mansfield Town. “He has come on in leaps and bounds and I believe he will get even better.” Cox is still pursuing Richard Cooper as his assistant, who he worked with at Eastwood, and talks are ongoing. But he has not ruled out keeping former number two Paul Hall at the club in some capacity. Cox added: “Richard has got a decent job and obviously has things to consider, so I don't want to put the pressure on. “I have spoken to Paul and told him I want to bring in my own backroom staff, which he understands. “But we will sit down next week and have another chat because you can never say never. There are roles for people at the club who are good people and I would put him in that category.” ------------------ Cox weighing up options at Stags before naming retained list Evening Post, 24 May 2011 PAUL Cox is to delay a decision on the futures of his out-of-contract Mansfield Town players. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Cox-weighing-options-Stags-naming-retained-list/article-3584965-detail/article.html? The new Stags boss only took the reins on Thursday as successor to Duncan Russell. Cox had initially hoped to be in a position to announce his retained list at the start of this week. But he has decided to take a step back and examine his options before deciding who is offered terms of re-engagement and who goes. The likes of Steve Foster, Ashley Cain, Kevin Sandwith, Steven Istead, Neil Collett, Dan Spence and Conor Higginson are all waiting to discover their Field Mill fates. Kyle Nix, Tyrone Thompson, Paul Stonehouse, Mark Preece and Niall O'Rafferty had already been released prior to Cox's arrival. "I want to be 100 per cent sure I am making the right decisions and that means not rushing into things," said Cox. "I have only just started getting to know the players and I want to do my homework before I discuss their futures. "The same goes for signing players. There are going to be thousands out of work this summer, so it's about taking time to get things right." Stags are hoping to be in a position to confirm the signing of Eastwood winger Lindon Meikle today. Chief executive Steve Barker revealed at Friday night's end-of-season dinner the club were in the process of signing Badgers team-mate Lee Stevenson. That went through last night, with the goalscoring midfielder penning a two-year contract after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. Cox has already admiitted he would like Meikle, who has had trials at Newcastle and Forest, to follow him to Field Mill ------------- Cox wants Stags to be adaptable Evening Post, 28 May 2011 MANSFIELD Town's players must be adaptable if they are to make a Football League return a reality. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Cox-wants-Stags-adaptable/article-3604609-detail/article.html That's the message from new manager Paul Cox as he continues his planning for 2011-12. Cox believes his success at former club Eastwood was down to his troops keeping an open mind. He is set to finalise his retained list over the Bank Holiday weekend prior to Wednesday's deadline, but insists whoever is at the club next season will have to 'buy in' to that philosophy. Cox is not worried if Mansfield do not play eye-catching football all the time, so long as they come out on top. "To win a championship you have to go in with the attitude of winning at all costs and having horses for courses," he said. "Anyone who saw Eastwood last year would say we played some great football and the game is about entertaining. "But if we are going to play 15 passes before getting the ball into the box, then our centre forward is not going to be very happy. "People talk about the fabulous football that Arsenal play, but they haven't won anything for five years. "Sometimes you have to adapt to the conditions and change the way you play." Cox says that flexibility must also apply with the team's formation. Striker Danny Mitchley, who is under contract next season, has been told he can leave Field Mill. Cox said: "I felt it was only fair to tell him as soon as possible to give him the opportunity to set himself up with another club in good time." --------- |
Latest | May 2011