Archived News from March 2022
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CLOUGH, BOWERY AND ROBBIE STOCKDALE REACTION
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‘The three points is all that matters’ - manager
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says ‘the three points is all that matters’ following this evening’s late 1-0 win away at Rochdale this evening. Substitute Jordan Bowery bagged an 86th minute winner to stop the Stags' run of two successive losses on the road. After a tough contest at Crown Oil Arena, the boss was pleased to see his side return to winning ways. “It was a hard one [victory],” said the gaffer. “[It was] Unbelievably difficult to get the three points tonight. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/march/the-three-points-is-all-that-matters---manager/ “On the back of two defeats [at Tranmere and Port Vale], and this incredible run of five away games on the spin, [we needed the win]. “It’s about time [the away supporters went home having seen a victory]. “We should’ve gone to Tranmere and [got] a point. “[We should’ve had] Something at Port Vale as well. “It was back to basics a little bit [tonight] in terms of being solid and making sure we got that clean sheet. “You’re relying on your strikers to get you a goal. “The three points is all that matters.” The Stags ended Rochdale’s run of eleven games unbeaten at Crown Oil Arena this evening. “Here, especially at home, they’re a very formidable side,” said the manager. “What were they? Eleven unbeaten here [at home] before tonight? “We had enough situations in the first-half to get a goal and didn’t. “I thought a couple of Oatesy’s [Rhys Oates’] shots; if they’re a yard or two either side of the goalkeeper [then] they’re in. It seemed to be everything straight at him. “He’s [Oates] turned provider in the last ten minutes [of the game]. “It’s about time we were 0-0 going into the last ten minutes away from home and not chasing a game or being down. “If you’re nice and solid and you’ve got that clean sheet intact, you’re always liable to nick a goal.” Rhys Oates provided Jordan Bowery with the winning goal this evening. The boss praised Bowery’s impact having not started in recent matches. “He’s [Bowery] been a bit disappointed to be left out [in recent weeks]," the gaffer said. “He was involved in that excellent run that we had. “With Jamie Murphy coming in, Oatesy [leading the line] and Hawks [Oli Hawkins] going back up top at times, it means he’s been a sub. “That [goal] does his chances the world of good for being involved on Saturday.” Mansfield now face further trips on the road to Oldham on Saturday, followed by Hartlepool next Tuesday evening. “[We’ll be going] Full throttle [in the next few away matches],” said Nigel. “I couldn’t care less about the performance or anything [tonight]. “There are 11 games to go now. “Earlier in the season you look for patterns and performances and all that. “[At] This time of the season, you win any how any way. “A clean sheet away, 1-0 and three points - that’s all that matters.” Watch the boss’ interview in full now by clicking here. ------------------ Vital win at Rochdale stopped the rot says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough as Stags stay in touch with top three chad.co.uk, Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Manager Nigel Clough said it had been vital Mansfield Town stopped the rot tonight to get their promotion push back on track after a much-needed 1-0 win at Rochdale. Stags had lost two on the bounce at Tranmere and Port Vale, but sub Jordan Bowery netted a crucial 86th minute winner to keep Stags in touch with the top three. “It was a hard one - it was unbelievably difficult to get the three points tonight on the back of two away defeats and this incredible run of five away games on the spin,” said Clough. “It was very important to stop the rot and to stop it with three points. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/vital-win-at-rochdale-stopped-the-rot-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-as-stags-stay-in-touch-with-top-three-3622619 “Rochdale are a very formidable side here at home and were 11 unbeaten here before tonight. But we made it difficult for them to create chances and we didn't make mistakes. “I thought we had enough situations in the first half to get a goal and didn't. A couple of (Rhys) Oates' shots, if they had been a yard or two either side of the keeper they're in. But everything seemed to be straight at him. “But he turned provider in the last 10 minutes. “It was about time we went into the last 10 minutes away from home at 0-0 and not chasing the game. “If you are nice and solid and you that clean sheet intact you are always liable to nick one.” Clough made four changes and went from a back four to a back three for the second half. “We changed the formation to start with. We felt we had to having conceded six goals in the last two on the road,” he said. “At half-time I thought we needed more of a threat so we pulled Hawks (Oli Hawkins) back and made it a nice solid three and Bish (keeper Nathan Bishop) wasn't overly extended. On the game management: “We could do it better ... even Matty Longstaff trying to play a through ball with 60 seconds left ... but we did manage to keep them at arm's length for the last 10 minutes.” Stags now head for struggling Oldham Athletic on Saturday and Clough said: “We still need to be at full throttle. I told them I don't care about performances now with 11 games to go. “Earlier in the season you look for patterns and performances. “This time of the season you win any how, any way. Pitches are difficult and three points is all that matters.” On goal hero Bowery, he added: “Jordan has been a bit disappointed to be left out as he was involved in that excellent run we had. "With Jamie Murphy coming in, Oatesey, Hawks going back up top at times, it means he's been sub. “That does his chances a world of good of being involved on Saturday. “It was back to basics a little bit tonight in terms of being solid and making sure we got that clean sheet. Then you rely on your strikers to get a goal.” "The pitch was difficult, it's dry, you can see its sandy and bobbly. Difficult for Rochdale as they like to play as well." ------------------ Nigel Clough told Craig Priest for Mansfield 103.2: "It was vital to stop the rot. In some ways, with 5 to 10 minutes to go we'd have taken a point. "Both teams struggled to play football. It's a bit dry and bobbly and there's the rugby on it as well. "We haven't been brilliant on the road this season, that's only our fifth league victory. "We're trying to get our best 11 players on the pitch at the moment and work a formation around it. We changed at half time, just to try to have a little bit more impetus going forward. "James Perch was magnificent. Getting tight and getting a foot in. He was as good as we had. "All our substitutions were positive, trying to put forward thinking players on, just trying to get that goal. "We have to start keeping clean sheets away from home. On the 5 away games on the trot: "I'm seeing more of the bus driver than of my wife!" -------------------- Struggling Oldham Athletic will be dangerous opponents says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough warned Oldham Athletic are fighting for their lives and will be dangerous opponents at Boundary Park on Saturday. Under new head coach John Sheridan they picked up some excellent points since his late January arrival and, despite now losing five on the bounce, are still only three points from safety. Stags are 10th, but only two points off the play-offs and four points from third place with three games in hand on rivals. “Everybody thought Oldham and Scunthorpe were dead and buried,” said Clough as Stags prepared to build on Tuesday night's vital 1-0 victory at Rochdale. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/struggling-oldham-athletic-will-be-dangerous-opponents-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-3626010 “But Oldham are right in there fighting for their lives now. “Just like Rochdale on Tuesday, it will be an unbelievably hard game.” It is a fourth away game on the spin , with a trip to Hartlepool ahead on Tuesday too, and Clough added: “I don't remember playing that many at home to justify this sort of away run we're having - 10 away in 12 games. I always worry when I am seeing more of the bus driver than my wife. “There are things we need to get better at, but with 11 games to go, all that matters is getting the three points. “We have to be adaptable. With 11 games to go we are going to come up against different formations and different challenges and we have to be ready to change. “All our substitutions were positive at Rochdale. We tried to put forward-thinking players on to try to get the goal. “I think that has to be a blueprint for us away from home. We have to start keeping clean sheets and you're saying to the forwards, go and get us a goal. “It was an important goal at Rochdale. If you lose three on the spin you're facing an uphill battle. “We're now getting close to the 60 points, then we kick on from there.” Clough has an almost fully fit squad to choose from with only Kellan Gordon, Lucas Akins and Ollie Clarke having treatment. Oldham skipper and Stags transfer target, defender Carl Piergianni, returns from a two game suspension on Saturday. ------------------- Forward on 'important' three points mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Mansfield Town forward Jordan Bowery says the team’s ability to ‘nick’ an important 1-0 victory over Rochdale at Crown Oil Arena was ‘important’. The 30-year-old’s seventh League Two goal of the season secured all three points for the Stags in Greater Manchester last night. The number nine's dramatic finish ended Rochdale’s 11-game unbeaten home league record and reignited Mansfield’s charge towards the automatic promotion places. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/march/forward-on-important-three-points/ Having been left out of the Stags’ starting XI for the last two games, Bowery admitted it was nice to return with a result-clinching goal. “I’ve not been playing as much recently so it’s nice to come back in and get a goal,” he said. “I was on a good run of form [but] the lads have done well whilst I’ve not been playing. “As a striker you always want to be on the pitch trying to score goals. Everyone wants to be playing but we’ve got a good squad. It was just so nice to get on the pitch and score a goal. “The main thing is the three points. The lads were brilliant, they limited them [Rochdale] to few chances. It’s a great clean sheet and a great win.” The former Crewe man says his attacking instincts kicked in, to lose his marker and get on the end of Rhys Oates’ superb cross in the 86thminute. Bowery said: “I did my best to get into the box. I saw Oatesy [Rhys Oates] go down the wing and get past his man. There was a massive gap between the goalie and the centre-half, and I thought ‘I’ve just got to get myself in there, I could get a tap in’. “I just concentrated on getting a good contact [on it] because I remember I got a good chance at Harrogate away where I should’ve scored, so I tried to put a bit more power on this one and get it over the line. “It’s such a nice feeling, it’s the best feeling ever as a striker.” The goalscorer alluded to Mansfield’s tough run of upcoming fixtures, but takes confidence in Stags’ versatile squad and spurring supporters. “Every game is going to be tough, and we’ve got to be at it,” he said. “We’ve got a big squad. They’re all senior pro’s who are fighting to get into the team and they could all get into most League Two teams so it’s good competition. It’s good to have. Everyone wants to be playing but there’s only eleven shirts out there. “There are so many players that can fill in different positions and that’s good to have as well. “If we can nick another 1-0 win like today [in future matches] it’ll be perfect. Especially for those travelling fans that follow us everywhere we go in good numbers. “I can’t express it enough. I’ve said it before, they’re [the Stags’ fans] brilliant. They’re the best fans that I’ve played in front of. They’re constantly chanting, it’s good to hear and it pushes the lads on.” ----------------- Jordan Bowery hoping crucial winner at Rochdale can earn him a Mansfield Town recall chad.co.uk, Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Striker Jordan Bowery is hoping his late winner after coming on as a substitute in Mansfield Town's vital 1-0 win at Rochdale tonight will strengthen his claims for a recall to the starting XI. Bowery had been unlucky to lose his place, but tonight he gave boss Nigel Clough a big reminder of his talents. “Obviously I have not been playing as much recently so it's good to come on and get a goal - but the main thing is the three points,” he said after Stags halted a run of two defeats on the bounce in style at Spotland. “I was on a good run of form but have been left out the team. But the lads have done well when I have not been playing. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/jordan-bowery-hoping-crucial-winner-at-rochdale-can-earn-him-a-mansfield-town-recall-3622627 “Everyone wants to be playing, but we have a good squad so you have to wait your turn. “They are not young pros. They are all senior pros who are fighting to get in the team and who could get in most League Two teams. It's good competition and only 11 can play.” On tonight's game, he said: “The lads were brilliant and limited them to few chances. “The surface wasn't the best, though it was the same for both teams. “It was a great clean sheet and a great win. “Watching it, they had the upper hand a bit and then we did. It just kept going back and forth like a basketball match. “Having lost the last two times it was good to get the three points.” Bowery joined the fray on 78 minutes and on 86 minutes smashed Rhys Oates' low cross high into the home net for Stags' first win at Rochdale since April 1997. “I did my best to get in the box. I lost the ball a couple of times when I came on and I was knackered - it's hard work coming on as a sub,” he smiled. “I saw Oatesy go down the wing and go past his man. There was a big gap between the goalie and their centre half and I thought I have just got to get myself in there as I could get a tap-in. “I just concentrated on getting a good contact as I remember I had a chance at Harrogate away where I should have scored. “So I tried to put a bit more power in this one to make sure it went over the line. It was a good feeling to get that goal. “Scoring goals is the best feeling ever for a striker.” Stags now have 11 game to go and head for struggling Oldham Athletic on Saturday. “All games are tough at the minute,” he said. “We're not looking at anyone at the moment and thinking we can turn them over. We have got to be at it, especially away from home.” ----------------- Post-Match Reaction - Mansfield Town rochdaleafc.co.uk, Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Manager Robbie Stockdale reflects on Dale’s late defeat to Mansfield Town at the Crown Oil Arena… “I’m gutted and I’m gutted for the players. I thought it was a wholehearted performance. I thought it was chalk and cheese from our game at the weekend, so I was pleased with that”, said the Gaffer. “I think you can tell - and this is no disrespect to the other players - but when you get a Paul Downing back in the team, it helps the others, but then we’ve had two injuries to two key players during the game. https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2022/march/interview_rspostmansfield/ “I felt the game was on the balance and very, very close, but unfortunately for us they’ve had that one moment near the end. I think if both managers had shook hands on a draw, then both managers would have been satisfied with that.” He continued: “It’s always hard in the heat of the moment and when losing such a late goal, but I think the positives I can take from it was that I didn’t see any player not giving their absolute all. “I felt that we created some half decent moments. We played a different shape and a different style to what I’d normally like to play, but it seemed to work and it seemed to nullify them and we had a couple of moments on counter-attacks, but maybe it’s just that little bit of quality at the top end of the pitch. I’m thinking in particular that set-plays weren’t great. “But I’ve said to the players there, that although we demand the quality at the top end of the pitch in particular but also everywhere, I’m satisfied that they put a shift in against a very good team. I didn’t think we didn’t deserve to lose it.” James Ball and Tahvon Campbell were both forced off with injury during the game. Stockdale says it’s too early to offer a full update but confirmed that Ball suffered a groin injury, while Campbell took a kick to the foot. “You’re losing two players that you brought in, in January, and obviously with just getting Paul [Dowing] back as well. It’s too early to say much about the injuries - Tahv got a kick on his foot when he had the shot and James has a groin injury. “They’re key players for us and it looks like they’ll be missing for a little bit for so it’s a case of getting one back then losing two. It’s not ideal but maybe that’s opportunities coming around for other players now.” "Nigel has just shook my hand there and said a draw would have been fair and I agree with him." Watch the full interview on the club’s YouTube channel. --------------- |
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