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Archived News from August 2021

CLOUGH, JOHNSON AND JOEY BARTON REACTION
11th August 2021 19:30


Late win was ‘incredible’ - manager
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 7th August 2021

Boss Nigel Clough said it was ‘incredible’ to earn three points ‘so late on’ in today’s 2021/22 season opener against Bristol Rovers.

A crowd of 6,346, who attended the first competitive fixture with supporters at One Call Stadium in 540 days, were treated to a Danny Johnson winner deep into stoppage time from the penalty spot.

The manager, despite being delighted with making a victorious start to the new campaign, insisted his side’s play will improve in the coming weeks.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/august/late-win-was-incredible---manager/

“It was incredible to score the winner so late on,” he told iFollow Stags. “We thought we were going to have to settle for a draw. I thought we did enough to win the game throughout.

“It was the wonder strike from their lad [Cian Harries] that got them back into the game.

“Then they went down to ten men, we put the pressure on and created a few chances. We got our reward in the end.

“I didn’t think we were brilliant in the first-half but we got the goal that put us ahead. We settled down and played in patches [in the second-half], but probably not as well as we’ve played over the last couple of weeks in pre-season.

“But when you have a big crowd with big expectations, I think it’s understandable that the players had a few nerves today. We’ll be much better from this point forwards.

(On the first goal) "It was good, they were all set for the corner, we take it short, then we put it in from a slightly different angle, the goallie collided with a defender, and he (Hawkins) headed it in. I thought his (Hawkins) all-round play today was excellent as it has been in pre-season.

“Rhys Oates got us going [in the second-half] and had a couple of shots. They got a few great blocks in when we had shots on target.

“To win in that manner on the opening day and have our two strikers get the goals [was great]. We had faith that one of them would get us the winning goal.

“We’ve got that [first] three points on the board. It’s nice to get the first one, so we’ll regroup ready for Preston on Tuesday.”

Speaking of the electric atmosphere generated by the Stags’ supporters during today’s game, Nigel Clough said his players must learn to ‘thrive’ on the noise made by the home crowd.

“The noise [was incredible]. It sounds that much louder because we haven’t heard it for 18 months,” he added.

“But even if it [late goal] was any week I think it would’ve been pretty good! I think for the crowd to go home on the opening day with that feeling is brilliant for them.

“They got behind us today. I think we can play better, but it [win] gives us a nice feeling going into the season.

“It [atmosphere] was great from the second we came out at five-to-three. We must learn to thrive on this atmosphere, because it’s in our favour.

“If you go elsewhere, you really feel that you’re up against it [home crowd]. [We should] embrace it and I think we did that today.

The boss also reflected on two key decisions made by referee Joshua Smith in the game, starting with the red card to Bristol Rovers captain Paul Coutts, following an off-the-ball altercation with Johnson.

“I just saw the arm [from Coutts]. I turned away and turned back, then just saw the arm.

“I think he’s just caught Danny Johnson (below) on the back of the neck. It’s the old phrase, that you can’t raise your arms in football.

“We know Couttsy from Derby and he’s not that sort of lad, but the referee deemed it a red card.”

On the late penalty decision which led to the Stags’ dramatic winner, the boss added: “Our lads were saying in the first-half that they were being held a lot.

“I thought we saw a lot of tussles, and it’s not in the interest of the attackers to hold anybody. He [Mark Hughes] held onto him [Hawkins] for a long time.

“The referee was three yards away and had a very clear view. It was immense pressure [on Johnson], especially when you’ve just missed a chance. But he stepped up.”

iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.

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Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes win over Bristol Rovers was deserved
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 7th August 2021

Stags boss Nigel Clough believes his side deserved their 2-1 opening day win over Bristol Rovers.

Rovers levelled after Cian Harries smashed a brilliant first-time volley past Nathan Bishop on 61 minutes.

But the game turned when Paul Coutts was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Danny Johnson.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-believes-win-over-bristol-rovers-was-deserved-3338050

Stags won it six minutes into stoppage time after Johnson scored from the spot after Mark Hughes had tugged Hawkins.

Clough said: “It was a dramatic game to win it like that, I thought we deserved it on the balance of play.

“It was only the wondergoal which got them back into the game. When they went down to ten men we put the pressure on them.

“We weren’t absolutely at our best today, but I thought we did enough to win the game.

“We won't know how important the three points will be until nine months, but it is great for belief and for the fans.

“Oli Hawkins scored and won a penalty, he delivered today and is building a good partnership with Danny Johnson.

“They need to play games together and spend time together on the pitch.

“That is why we were not tempted to change it late on, we felt those two were as likely to score as anyone.

“We have a settled back four and it helps that the goalkeeper has come in and settled straight away.”

Clough also getting the refereeing decisions going there way was a just reward for Mansfield’s perseverance.

“I didn't see the red card, I half glanced and saw the hand coming down,” he said. The old saying is not to raise your hands.

“The referee was right there. He was three yards away for the penalty, I have not seen it back but the tugging was happening all game.

“You have to keep putting the ball in the box and if they keep tugging you get your reward.

“We are not going to be able to play brilliant football every week so it is about character and perseverance.

“We showed a will to win today. The squad and the fans came together and we need that through the season if we are to be successful.

“It was good to get the first win of the season, especially for those lads who were here last season.

“It gives us a good platform. The other nice thing was that the vast majority of the crowd was still here, I didn’t see many leaving early.

“The noise they made when the goal went in sounded much more than 6,000.”

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Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"George Lapslie was disappointed to be left out today. Rhys Oates just got ahead of him in pre-season.
"George had a sore knee and missed the Hull game, so Rhys just got a little bit ahead of him.
"But his attitude when he came on was fantastic.
"We see it as Rhys and George sharing that role."

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Fans gave me 'goosebumps,' says match-winner
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 7th August 2021

Stags’ striker Danny Johnson admits to have had ‘goosebumps’ during today’s encounter, as his last-gasp penalty secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bristol Rovers.

The summer signing converted in injury time to net his first goal in amber and blue.

And the 28-year-old former Leyton Orient striker praised the fans at One Call Stadium and their role in Mansfield's late push in the game.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/august/fans-gave-me-goosebumps---match-winner/

"It's brilliant to have the fans back in and to win the first home game of the season with one of the last kicks of the game, that's what football is all about,” said Johnson.

"There were some nerves in the first half but when you haven't seen the fans for a while you do get goosebumps.

"It [the nerves] shouldn't affect you but as a player it does. Then we settled down for the first ten minutes, got the goal, built at half time and pushed on in the second half.”

Johnson admits he felt some nerves as the spot kick was given but relished the opportunity to demonstrate his character as a striker.

"Being a striker it was massive to get off the mark today.

"I stepped up against Hull [in pre-season] and after that I said that I want to take penalties.

"When the whistle blew there were some nerves creeping in, with the occasion of it and knowing that this would get us the three points.

"I took myself away for a minute and I focused on where I was going to put it and I put it exactly where I wanted to.

"That's why I want to play football, to be brave and to convert penalties."

Johnson says it was important for Stags to start their season in style.

"Other teams will be looking at our result now as Bristol Rovers will probably be up there come the end of the season.

"We've got up the league table early which is good because you never want to be chasing from early on.

"I thought we were strong throughout, we've got a lot more to give and I didn't think that they [Bristol Rovers] troubled us really.

"I think if you ask Nathan [Bishop, goalkeeper] he didn't really have a save to make apart from a ‘quick’ one in the first half.

"There was the wonder strike in the second half ,which won't happen often this season, but we bounced back and the fans encouraged us to get the win."

iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Danny's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.

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Danny Johnson delighted to get off the mark for Mansfield Town
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 7th August 2021

Matchwinner Danny Johnson is a relieved man after getting off the mark on his league debut for Mansfield Town.

The former Leyton Orient man slotted home a cool penalty six minutes into stoppage time as Stags beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in their season opener.

It continues a good run of pre-season form for the Middlesborough born striker.

"Being a striker it was massive to get off the mark today,” he said.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/danny-johnson-delighted-to-get-off-the-mark-for-mansfield-town-3338105

“I stepped up against Hull and after that I said that I want to take penalties.

"When the whistle blew there were some nerves creeping in, with the occasion of it and knowing that this would get us the three points.

"I took myself away for a minute and I focused on where I was going to put it and I put it exactly where I wanted to.

"That's why I want to play football, to be brave and to convert penalties.

“The fans are back and it was great having them back.

“Seeing a win like that is what you dream about as a fan and we are pleased to fulfill it for them.

“I thought we didn't really create a lot but were in control of the game.

“They scored a wonder strike that won't happen often, it happened and we moved on and got the win which we fully deserved.”

Johnson is also keen to build on what already looks like being a promising partnership with Oli Hawkins.

“We are linking up well,” said Johnson, “We are living in a hotel and going for food and chats and stuff like that.

“Off the field it’s brilliant and the partnership is starting to grow. I’m delighted that we both scored. It’s what you need as a striker at the start of the season.”

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Talking to iFollow Stags after the game, Johnson described the sending off as he and Coutts were “having a bit of a wrestle ... and then Coutts just slapped me on the side of the head. You can’t raise your hands to someone and rightly so he’s been sent off”.

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Joey Barton 'massively aggrieved' by referee in Bristol Rovers' defeat to Mansfield Town
bristolpost.co.uk, By Sam Frost, Bristol Rovers reporter, 7 AUG 2021

Joey Barton believes "two big calls" from referee Joshua Smith cost 10-man Bristol Rovers a point at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Oli Hawkins headed the hosts into the lead at Field Mill on the verge of half time, catching Anssi Jaakkola off his line, but Cian Harries scored a wonderful equaliser - volleying home from 25 yards - just after the hour.

Rovers were reduced to ten with 13 minutes remaining, when captain Paul Coutts received a straight red card on debut. He got tangled in an off-the-ball clash with Danny Johnson, who received a yellow for his involvement.

The Gas were backed by 1,388 supporters - the biggest away following in League Two of the day - and came within seconds of holding onto a point in a tight game edged by the hosts.

But the referee penalised Mark Hughes in the fifth minute of stoppage time after competing at a corner with Hawkins. Johnson dispatched the penalty to break Rovers' hearts and send them to a 2-1 defeat.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joey-barton-massively-aggrieved-referee-5756501

Barton was left perplexed by the key decisions of the referee.

"Really disappointed in the manner (of the defeat), conceding a penalty that late, we feel massively aggrieved by it," he told reporters at full time.

"I’ve just watched the replay back and he’s made the wrong decision. It summed up his (the referee) afternoon, he had a really poor afternoon.

"We’re really disappointed. I thought we were good value for a point after scoring a magnificent equaliser. We had a couple of half chances on the counter, and whilst we’re nowhere near where we want to be - we’re miles off where we want to be - we’ll keep getting better and better.

"Mansfield will be there or thereabouts. They’ve invested heavily and they’ve got a good manager, a wily old fox, and the players know how to work a referee.

"Johnson’s elbowed Paul Coutts in the chest and managed to get him sent off, and then they’re smart enough to foul our player - Oli Hawkins is fouling Mark Hughes - and the referee gives a penalty the other way.

"You can make your minds up when you watch that back; I don’t want to start where I left off last season bleating on about referees, but when they decide games in the manner they did…

"He’s made two big calls, a penalty and a sending off, and that’s cost us today."

Rovers, missing several players through injury including Aaron Collins and Brett Pitman, were largely stable defensively, but they were short of cohesion in attack.

"Momentum shifted with the sending off and at that point we went to a back five to try to deal with the bombardment, and I thought we were superb," Barton added.

"We were good value and 30 seconds away from taking a hard-earned point at a fellow fancied and promotion-chasing side.

"The good thing for me is I know how much better than that we can be, but if we’re going to scrap and turn up and fight, I’ll take that every day of the week.

"I don’t know how she, the linesperson, has given a foul in the far corner that’s led to the corner, and the referee couldn’t wait to give the penalty.

"I expect that, I expect that it’s going to be the Joey Barton show and sometimes we’re facing more than the XI on the park with the intimidating atmospheres, but it’s nothing I haven’t faced before in my career. I came through that adversity.

"As a group, no-one’s going to give us anything. We’re a big target for anybody and we’re going to have to turn up. We’ve got that underdog mentality which is great for me. It saves the psychology of doing team talks.

"I think our lads know there are many people rooting against us. We had 1,300 Rovers fans in there today. As long as they stick with us and keep travelling with us, we’ll be fine."

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Joey Barton blasts referee after Bristol Rovers are beaten at Mansfield Town
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Saturday 7th August 2021

Fuming Bristol Rovers boss Joey Burton blasted referee Josh Smith after their 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town.

Oli Hawkins headed the hosts in front on 44 minutes from Kellan Gordon’s corner.

Rovers levelled after Cian Harries smashed a brilliant first-time volley past Nathan Bishop on 61 minutes.

But the game turned when Paul Coutts was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Danny Johnson.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/joey-barton-blasts-referee-after-bristol-rovers-are-beaten-at-mansfield-town-3338037

Stags won it six minutes into stoppage time after Johnson scored from the spot after Mark Hughes had tugged Hawkins.

“We are really disappointed to concede a penalty that late,” said Barton.

“We feel massively aggrieved by it. The ref has made the wrong decision and it sums up his afternoon.

“He had a really poor afternoon, I felt. I felt we were good value for a point.

“We are miles off where we want to be, but we will just keep getting better and better.

“Mansfield have invested heavily and they will be there or thereabouts.

“They have got a good manager and players who know how to work the referee.

“Johnson has punched Coutts in the chest and managed to get him sent off.

“They are smart enough to foul our player. Oli Hawkins has fouled Mark Hughes and he has given a penalty the other way.

“You can make your mind up when you watch that back. I don’t want to be bleating about referees, but when they decide games like this.

“He has made two big decisions and it has cost us the game.”

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oliver_hawkins
Great start to the season from the boys (tree symbol) points and a goal on my debut

Nathan Bishop @natthb13
What a performance from the boys!!! Delighted to make my league debut for this club! Fans were absolute (Fire emojis)

Carolyn Radford
So amazing to be back at our beloved football club amongst all our fantastic supporters. Looking forward to an exciting season ahead!

David Sharpe @DavidSharpe91
That was some welcome back for the supporters!! 96th minute winner!! Well done to all the lads, especially the two debut goal scorers @oliverhawkins08 & @Johnson11Danny. Stags fans, you were immense!!

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Latest | August 2021