Archived News from July 2011
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SSA FANS FORUM - MEET THE MANAGER
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SSA FANS FORUM - MEET THE MANAGER
Thursday 28th July report by Pete Wright The most overwhelming thing that came over was the honesty of both Paul Cox and Micky Moore. Also the sense that they want to be winners and that they know how to go about doing it. The event was videoed. So questions asked were as follows; Does only a one year contract bother you?- No, contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. Views on Pre-Season Friendly opposition? – Most already arranged before I got here, but we arranged Hednesford match, wanted a tough game on a rough pitch in readiness for some of the tough, physical games in league this season. Want the players to be mentally prepared for the new season. Don't learn anything in games winning or losing by big scores, need tight games. Disappointed that standards dropped at Hednesford, games like these get to know the players. Is a quality striker needed? – Green & Briscoe got potential, Green's record in conference is 1 in 3 but in higher league two not so good. Could have had a hat trick at Halifax and his movement is good. Elding record is 1 in 3 but in last 18 months only 1 in 6. Don't think Grimsby with Hearn, Elding & Duffy is any better than us. Tubbs a one off last year and a surprise even to Evans. Brodie only one good season at York. Fleetwood taking a gamble on Brodie. Understands supporters concerns but last season scored 73 with Paul Connor up front on his own but let in 75. Conceding 20 or 30 less is a real possibility and a goal difference of 73/50 is a realistic play off spot. PC believes in team ethics and winning 1-0 or 2-0 rather than winning 4-3 one week and losing 3-4 the next. Eye on a couple of strikers one in FL and one in Ireland, but finances a bit of an issue. Why Green not permanent? – Need to prove to us he is worth it. Best player of pre-season so far? - Worthington & Murray Next captain? Hoping for more than one captain on pitch, deciding after Chasetown game who gets armband. Open training ground policy? – Supporters welcome to come down and watch and chat afterwards Signing any South Americans? - No Views on youth team game today? – Good game today at Rainworth, a couple of youth lads in main side. Result not important. Want first team and youth team as one, really impressed with youngsters and don't want other clubs pinching local lads from under our noses. More games arranged behind closed doors where results don't matter. Rhys Day's fitness? - Unfortunately pulled a calf muscle today playing at Rainworth. Very frustrating. What type of football style will we play? Not one style, will play on oppositions weaknesses. We will play to win games, horses for courses. Will need Plan B & C to win matches. Bath will come with 4-5-1 and try to hit us on break. So we need to get ball wide quick with a 4-4-2 and get good crosses in, instead of trying to play though middle against them. Supporters important to club Players say last season crowd got on their backs. PC already talked to SSA about needing crowd to support the players. PC will ensure team effort and players to play their best. PC surprised how good supporters reaction was after Notts Co game even though we lost. PC want teams to fear us when they come to Field Mill. He knows supporters are passionate and wants everyone at club to be together, going to get players to sign autographs in bar after games. Last season Crawley played with gamesmanship, will we this year? - No Comment . The lads will be required to be tough mentally, but at present some are confused by it.. Still a million miles away from what is required, but we are getting there. At present can't close a game down. At Hednesford, we were 3-1 up but tried to win 5-1 and showboating but instead won 3-2 and it could have ended 3-3. Winning 4-3 equates to lack of consistency because next week we could easily lose 3-4. Tom Naylor rumour to Leeds? – Great prospect, clubs looked at him a lot late last season. No offers but folk still interested and looking. Still a lot to learn and needs 2 or 3 years with us. On contract with us for this year and club has an option for next year as well. Views on Lee Stevenson's contribution in Pre-Season Friendlies - He is frustrated with himself, he thinks there is a weight around his neck and that he has to score one or two every game. He scored two today and he is still finding his feet at this higher level but he is a natural goal scorer. Scored after 5 minutes at Nuneaton. Less subs in further Pre-Season Friendlies? - Yes, been a bit disjointed in last twenty minutes of games but need to play all squad in PSF. Now will go with first XI for Boston & Chasetown games. Ilkeston game will be squad players. Still need to strengthen squad? - Love to strengthen but depends on finances. To win titles need strength in depth. Some players demanding silly money. Quality strikers hard to find for the right money. Defence structure is fine, Midfield is ok, another striker would be nice but he has to be right player who wants to come here, not going for just anyone. Ideal squad size? - 22, now have 22 plus Dan & Neil, however number not set in stone. Only additions now if they will improve the first XI, no more 'squad' players. Any disappointments? - Yes, but no names, but still early days and they can turn it around. MM says PC has quick judgements, PC wanted to pull Oxford left back trialist off after five minutes as he thought he was not good enough. Has Lee Stevenson done it yet? – No, but I know him and know what he can do, more bedding in time needed, whereas Lindon has settled in well and hit the ground running. Squad gelling well together? - Yes, we are getting there, but frustrated that things not done 'yesterday'. Lads having a get together in Skeggy on Saturday night after the Boston game as a team bonding session. Need to be best team and not bunch of best individuals. Had experience of a lot of players wanting to come to the club for the wrong reasons (including Elding). Got no time for 'big time Charlies'. Panicking yet that we are a striker short? – No, potentially that we have got Stevenson, Briscoe, Connor who can score goals. Last season Connor got 11 goals very early then got worn down as he had no support. Looking for goals from all positions. Looking to concede less to win matches. Need to ground out wins at places like Barrow on a wet Tuesday night. Entertaining is about winning. Bath will come here to frustrate, we want to forget how to lose. SSA offered money for a team bonding exercise but PC says not until they earn it first. He operates a reward scheme. Do you agree defence a problem last year? - Yes, this season goals in Pre-Season Friendlies only come when defence has been changed usually late in games. Last season team conceded 25 from 'restarts', it will be better this year. Last season both PC & MM's teams had good defensive records. Mitchley? – Told him not in PC's plans trying to get him out on loan, but Dan is very professional and is working his socks off. Where does Stevenson fit in the team? - Is a good player but problem is where is the best position for team. He needs time to settle in. Last season PC did not play him for first 10 games of the season. The team is the most important not individual players. Not one system. This Saturday will be 4-4-2, but need squad for every eventuality. Team & end product is most important – winning. No player guaranteed a place in first XI, Lindon made transition from BSN but Lee not yet. Lee's wrapped up in wanting to score in every game. A fan's opinion can be created very quickly and that can affect new players. Relationship with JR? – Very good. JR honest and has backed PC. JR very passionate about the club and wants to do well but not to be a yo-yo club when we go up. Youth set up very important to club and it needs home grown players. PC understands ground is an issue and joked that JR said 'don't do too well'. JR here for long term and is very astute and pro-active. PC had offers to go to other clubs but choose Mansfied as he believes Stags are on the right track. ----------------- EARLIER STORY: The official supporters club the Stags Supporters Association are hosting their first Meet The Manager Night with new boss Paul Cox on Thursday 28th July at 7.30pm in the Kevin Bird Suite at Field Mill. Admission is free to all paid up 11/12 SSA Amber, Blue and Junior members who will gain priority entrance for the event. SSA membership will be available on the night. Non SSA Members are also welcome capacity permitting and will be asked for a minimum donation of £1 entry with all monies being donated to the 12th Stag. SSA chairman Dean Foulkes said: “These events are always popular nights and this latest forum is a fabulous pre season opportunity to get up close and personal with the brand new football management team at Mansfield Town. Take your chance to have your say directly face to face on the night whilst also putting some money behind the club bar in the Kevin Bird Suite.” 
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Latest | July 2011