Archived News from May 2011
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PAUL COX IS NEW STAGS MANAGER
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Paul Cox is new boss mansfieldtown.net, Thu 19 May 2011, 2.30pm We are delighted to acquire the services of former Eastwood Town manager Paul Cox, who we are proud to announce as our new manager. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2362925,00.html In five seasons, Paul has won two promotions, five Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Trophies, and has taken Eastwood Town to the third round of the FA Cup. Paul's win ratio as manager and points gained per game were also among the key factors in his appointment. Paul became Eastwood Town's manager at a time when the club were struggling at the bottom of the UniBond Division One. He later led them to promotion via the play-offs. Their first season at UniBond Premier level saw Cox gain a commendable place of fourth in the division, but the club lost out to Gateshead in the play-offs. In the 2008/09 season, Cox won the UniBond Premier League as well as reaching the third round of the F.A. Cup. During that season, his team recorded 32 wins, 14 draws with only 7 defeats, scoring 98 goals in the process and accumulating a goal difference of +56. Eastwood's first ever season at Blue Square Bet North level saw them finish tenth after leading the table twice. This season the 39-year-old rebuilt a team that has finished on an unprecedented unbeaten run to finish fourth in the division, but the club were unable to compete in the play-offs because of issues with their ground. However, his team now proudly holds the record for the Blue Square Bet North longest unbeaten run of 19 games without defeat. Chairman John Radford told http://www.mansfieldtown.net: "'I would like to welcome Paul Cox to Field Mill. He is a very ambitious manager and a winner. "I know that he understands my vision for the Stags, and believes in what we want to achieve. He made himself the outstanding candidate despite the high quality of applicants we received. "Paul has a wealth of knowledge of non-league football and has lined up some exciting prospects to join our squad. "We have set Paul a target of a top five finish and we would like the fans to get fully behind the new manager. We can now look forward to the new season with fresh ideas and new faces on display at the Mill," he added. Paul's one year contract will officially commence as of 01 June 2011 ------------------- video interview ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2363227,00.html ------------------- Cox set to be named new Stags boss Nottingham Evening Post, Thu 19 May 2011, 7.15am PAUL Cox will today be named as Mansfield Town's new manager, the Post understands. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Cox-set-named-new-Stags-boss/article-3572957-detail/article.html? The former Eastwood Town boss has beaten off competition from the likes of Dave Penney, Ronnie Moore and caretaker boss Paul Hall to land the role. Mansfield have conducted interviews for the vacant post this week after previous boss Duncan Russell's contract was not renewed last Thursday. But the 39-year-old's record in leading Eastwood from bottom of the UniBond Division One South to the Blue Square North play-off positions has helped tipped the balance. The former Notts County defender's arrival is set to end Hall's stint at Field Mill, who had been overseeing things in a caretaker-manager capacity. Cox's swift appointment will enable Mansfield to begin their planning for next season. And it should also mean out-of-contract players that include Ashley Cain, Kevin Sandwith, Dan Spence, Steve Foster, Conor Higginson and Steven Istead will soon know their fates. Chief executive Steve Barker has already stressed that Mansfield's next manager is expected to challenge for promotion, either automatically or through the play-offs, in 2011-12 ------------------- Mansfield Town appoint Paul Cox as manager BBC.co.uk, Thu 19 May 2011, 9am (subsequently updated) Mansfield Town have appointed former Eastwood Town manager Paul Cox as their new boss on a one-year contract. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13452150.stm? The 39-year-old succeeds Duncan Russell, whose short-term deal was not renewed at the end of the season. Cox resigned as Badgers boss in May after guiding them to a fourth-place finish in the Blue Square Bet North. Chairman John Radford said: "He is a very ambitious manager and a winner. I know that he understands my vision, and believes in what we want to achieve." Cox has beaten off competition from six other candidates to land the job, including current caretaker Paul Hall whose future at Field Mill remains unclear. Radford added: "Paul has a wealth of knowledge of non-league football and has lined up some exciting prospects to join our squad. "We have set Paul a target of a top-five finish and we would like the fans to get fully behind the new manager. "We can now look forward to the new season with fresh ideas and new faces on display at the Mill." Mansfield had a disappointing campaign in the Blue Square Bet Premier in 2010-11, finishing in 13th position. Russell did take the Stags to Wembley for the FA Trophy final but Radford said that the decision to let him go was taken because league results had not been good enough. In five seasons as manager at Eastwood, Cox led the club to two promotions and, in 2009, took them to the third round of the FA Cup. But despite guiding them to the play-offs this season, he stepped down after the club were denied the chance to compete because their ground did not meet Blue Square Bet Premier standards. ------------------- Paul Cox to be unveiled as new Mansfield Town boss CHAD.co.uk, Thursday 19 May 2011, 11am PAUL Cox is set to be unveiled as the new Mansfield Town manager at a press conference this afternoon. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/paul_cox_to_be_unveiled_as_new_mansfield_town_boss_1_3394875 The 39-year-old has been a strong candidate ever since he resigned from neighbouring Eastwood Town this month after guiding them to two promotions and an FA Cup third round appearance in five years. But his successful time with the Badgers ended in cruel fashion when, after taking them into the Blue Square Norh play-offs this year, he was told they would not be allowed to go up into Mansfield's division if successful due to inadequate ground facilities. Cox then resigned from Eastwood and was one of seven candidates interviewed for the Stags job this week following last week's departure of Duncan Russell. Another of those seven was caretaker manager Paul Hall whose future is now uncertain with the club. A defender in his playing days, Cox began his career with hometown club Notts County and, after a loan spell at Hull City, went on to have spells with Kettering Town, Halifax Town and Hucknall Town before starting out in management with Eastwood -------------------------- Radford promises new Stags boss - we will be able to go up this season CHAD.co.uk, Thursday 19 May 2011 JOHN Radford today promised fans he would keep his part of the bargain and get the club in a position to be promoted next season if new Stags boss Paul Cox can do the business on the field. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/radford_promises_new_stags_boss_we_will_be_able_to_go_up_this_season_1_3396365 And the Mansfield Town chairman has also promised Cox one of the biggest, if not the biggest, budgets in the BSBP to achieve that aim. Stags fans are worried that continuing court action to reclaim the ground from landlord and former chairman Keith Haslam could leave them without the necessary 10-year lease by the March deadline. But Radford said, if the court action wasn't sorted in time, a Plan B has already been put into motion. Radford was pleased with his new managerial appointment today and said:“ I am delighted to get him here. “I have had my eye on Paul's career for the last five years and his record speaks for itself. That is why he got the job. “He is a guy who wants to go out and win every game. His win rate of 55 per cent is excellent – you probably have to go up to Alex Ferguson in the Premier League to equal that. “Paul has done his apprenticeship and if we didn't get him at Mansfield Town a bigger club would have got him. “It's his desire to win and confidence in himself. The man has real charisma and I just know he is going to the the club forward. “I was excited by the way he interviewed and he has already shown loyalty in the past and I think he will be very loyal to this club. I think he will take us back into the League quite quickly. “I want to be top of this league for most of next season, certainly at the end.” Cox has only been given a year's contract but Raaford said: “All the candidates were offered the same one year deal and wages. It was the right contract for this club and Paul is happy with it. “He will have one of the biggest budgets in this league if not the biggest. “The money is there for him if he needs to spend it.” On the court action, he added: “We are waiting for a response from Mr Haslam's solicitors to put their defence in at the moment. “We want to get to court as quickly as possible and we are trying to put the pressure on. “We want to do the best for this football club so we can really prosper and go forward, so if that's we have to do we will do it. “I have offered the man what I am going to offer him and and I am not going to offer another penny. “Plan B is already on track and started. If Paul can do it on the field we will make sure we are in a position to be promoted off the field.” ------------------ New Stags boss Cox clearly has the ambition to match that of the club Evening Post, 20 May 2011 IT'S only been two weeks, but Paul Cox has mown his lawn enough times to last a lifetime. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/New-Stags-boss-Cox-clearly-ambition-match-club/article-3577107-detail/article.html? Having been denied the chance to take part in the Blue Square Bet North play-offs with Eastwood Town because of their ground, he made the agonising decision to resign. His reasoning was simple – he had a 'burning ambition' to test himself at a higher level and felt he was unlikely to be able to do so at Coronation Park. Considering, at that point, Cox had absolutely nothing in the pipeline in terms of jobs lined up, it was a brave move and led to an unfamiliar and frustrating scenario of spending hours on end around the house. But it was also a firm statement of intent, meaning he is all the more delighted to secure the manager's job at a club in Mansfield Town he firmly believes can 'go places'. Paraded to the media at a press conference yesterday afternoon, the 39-year-old clearly has the ambitions to match those of the club. They want a quick return to the Football League – and so does he. "It has been a horrible time waiting around and something I'm not used to. It's nice to be able to put the mower back in the shed, even if my grass has never looked so trim!" said Cox. "I can't wait to get started at Mansfield. One of the biggest pulls is that Mansfield are a club in a division they shouldn't be in and it's a challenge to get them back where they should be, back on the map. "That won't be easy because they are in one of the most competitive divisions of all. "A lot of people underestimate the Conference, especially the sides that get relegated from the Football League. "But with the board and chairman behind me and a great fan base, it's all in place – and now it's up to me. "If I can do half with Mansfield of what I did at Eastwood then I think the club will be nothing but a success." Much has been made of what budget will be available to assist with the aim of winning promotion. Will it be the £2million chairman John Radford has suggested should the club regain control of Field Mill, or will it be much less than that? To Cox it makes no difference, he believes a club of the Stags' stature should and can challenge at the top end of the Blue Square Bet Premier. He said: "Whatever the budget the chairman comes up with, I want to be in and around the top five. That's my mentality. "It may put pressure on me, but that is no more than the pressure I put on myself. "The most money can often bring the prize, but it doesn't always work that way. "I don't want players here who will be distracted by money and using it as an excuse. I want a tight dressing room where we have our own standards. "There's a lot of hard work ahead, but we should be aiming high." With a handful of players out of contract, Cox is keen to sort their futures as quickly as possible. He said: "I want to sit down from Monday and make it clear where they stand. "This is a busy time of the season, so we have to get moving." Chairman John Radford feels he has got 'the right man' in Cox to lead Mansfield back to the good times. And he immediately set a minimum top-five target. "Paul's record speaks for itself. He's got a win ratio of around 55 per cent and I think you have to go all the way up to the Premiership and Alex Ferguson to find anything like that. "He has served his apprenticeship and if Mansfield hadn't got him then a bigger club would. "Paul has confidence in himself and a charisma and he's also very loyal – he had the opportunity to leave Eastwood but he stayed with them for a long time." On Cox's playing budget, Radford added: "The budget will be one of the biggest in the division. "Paul's task is to get promoted on the field and I will make sure we can get promoted off it." --------------- Chairman confident if Cox does business on the pitch, he can do it off the field Evening Post, 21 May 2011 AS he talked about the decision to appoint Paul Cox as Mansfield Town's new manager, John Radford could barely suppress his excitement. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Chairman-confident-Cox-does-business-pitch-field/article-3579594-detail/article.html? In the former Eastwood Town boss, he is absolutely convinced he has the right man to lead Mansfield Town back to the Football League. The Stags chairman and major backer simply can't wait for the 2011-12 season to start, so excited is he by the club's on-field prospects. However, lingering in the background is the whole ground saga, which currently remains deadlocked. Mansfield want their Field Mill home back from landlord Keith Haslam, claiming he acquired the club's long-term home illegally. Haslam denies any wrongdoing whatsoever – and has also turned down Radford's offer to buy the ground from him. As a result, the issue is set to be decided in court and could drag out until next year. That immediately casts a cloud over the Stags' short-term hopes of winning promotion, a Football League rule stating a club must have a minimum ten-year lease on their stadium, or own it, to make the step up. Mansfield currently have neither and appear to be snookered. Yet Radford remains confident that if Cox keeps his end of the bargain on the pitch, then he will do his bit behind the scenes. Even if Mansfield cannot sort their legal wrangle swiftly, he is adamant there is a plan B, though understandably not revealing what that is. "I want to get to court as quickly as possible and I'm trying to put the pressure on to do that," said Radford. "I want to do the best for the club and if that means going to court, then that is what will happen. "As far as promotion goes, we are looking at other ways. This coming season, we have got until March to have a plan B in place, but the work on that plan B has already started. "It makes me mad when people ask about me buying the ground because I have offered the man (Haslam) what I am going to offer him and I won't offer a penny more. "I think our new manager will take us out of this league quite quickly and I think he can get us in the top five easily. "I want us to be top of the league most of next season and definitely by the end of it. "I will make sure we can get promoted off the field." For Cox, it's a different club, but exactly the same ambitious outlook that greets him at the outset of his second managerial appointment. In his early years at Eastwood, there was little money to play with – everything was done on a shoestring budget. But he became used to the expectation at Coronation Park once Rob Yong came in as owner and gave him money to work with. "I have had targets set for me in the past and I have always met them, sometimes ahead of schedule, so I'm not fazed by the situation here," said Cox. "There were other clubs interested in me, but as soon as I spoke to John there was nowhere else I wanted to go. "It's great to have a chairman and a board with the same ambitions as you. As I have said before, I believe this club should be competing with the likes of Chesterfield." Although appointed on a one year rolling contract, Cox is keen to stay at Mansfield for the long-term. He believes in loyalty, having been at Eastwood for almost five years, despite previous offers to move up the ladder. Cox said: "A couple of years ago, when I won the UniBond Premier Division and got the team to the third round of the FA Cup, I had the chance to move on to League and Conference football. "But I don't believe in getting quick success and then jumping ship. Success is building strong foundations and an infrastructure. As I see it, it's a long-term project." To that end, Cox is delighted to see the youth set-up returning after it was knocked on the head for this season because of the cost. He is also wanting to see a reserve side return eventually, although the deadline has already passed for next season. "At Eastwood we brought through people like Ben Hutchinson (now at Celtic) and Colin Daniel (now at Macclesfield) so we need a youth and, eventually, reserve team in place," he said. "The game is all about young players now and if they are good enough then they are old enough and will get the chance to progress through. "There are diamonds in the rough in the area – look at Aiden Flint who was playing a stone's throw from Field Mill (at Alfreton, having previously played for Pinxton) and now he is in the Football League with Swindon. "I don't want those players at other clubs in the future – I want them here." ------------------ Strong mentality the key as Cox looks to turn Mansfield into winners Evening Post, 20 May 2011 PAUL Cox has vowed to turn Mansfield Town into 'winners', believing that a strong mentality is the key. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Strong-mentality-key-Cox-looks-turn-Mansfield-winners/article-3576865-detail/article.html? After agreeing a one-year rolling contract at Field Mill today, the Stags' new manager spoke of his vision at his first press conference. He wants those players who will be at the club next season – old and new – to buy into his philosophy of togetherness. "The club finished 13th last season for a reason and over the course of a season you finish where you deserve," said Cox. "I have got the lads from pre-season and it's my job to change that. Having the right mentality is the key. "I want a tight-knit group that on any given day, when two or three are not in the squad for a good reason, they accept that. "I'm looking to put together a side that won't let the supporters down. We are going to lose games and have bad days at the office. "But even when we lose games I want the players to be clapped off the pitch because they have given their all. "Even the lads who are under contract have to understand they are playing for their futures. "Those who don't want to be here under those conditions will have to find another club so we can bring in people with a desire to be winners." Cox believes Mansfield already have the nucleus of a good squad in place to challenge at the top end of the Blue Square Bet Premier. But he is keen to ensure that no-one is resting on their laurels come the start of 2011-12. Chairman John Radford has outlined the club's expectations for next season by demanding a top-five finish. "In people like Connor, Murray, Naylor and goalkeeper Marriott, who is one of the best in the division, there is already a good spine to the side if they are given structure and are physically fit as well as mentally focused. "My job is to bring competition so that no-one is guaranteed a place. I want competition from the goalkeeper through to number 11. "I want it so that no-one is without fear of losing their place in the side. The squad number will be smaller but with probably a little bit more quality." -------------------- New Stags boss Cox targets hit-man Stevenson Evening Post, 20 May 2011 NEW Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox today confirmed one of his first tasks will be attempting to persuade hot-shot Lee Stevenson to follow him to Field Mill. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/New-Stags-boss-Cox-targets-hit-man-Stevenson/article-3576686-detail/article.html? The Post revealed yesterday the 39-year-old would be drafted in to replace Duncan Russell– and he has now agreed a one-year rolling contract. Cox is already on the look-out for new signings as he looks to strengthen Stags' squad for 2011-12. And top of his wish-list is goal-scoring midfielder Stevenson, who he worked with at previous club Eastwood. The 26-year-old from Sheffield finished as leading scorer for the Badgers with 35 goals in the season just finished, after Cox spotted his potential at Evo-Stik Division One club Belper Town. Stevenson is under contract at Coronation Park and any move is likely to require a fee. But he has already stated he would love to work with Cox again and is interested in stepping up to a club like Mansfield. Cox is hoping their excellent working relationship can be a telling factor, with the Stags not the only interested club. "Lee's a lad I took under my wing at Eastwood and is now one of the hottest properties in non-league football," he said. "Players who score that many goals are like gold dust because that's what wins matches. "But technically he is a very good player, too – and I'm interested in any good players. "I have got a fantastic relationship with the lad. I know what makes him tick, his good points and bad points. "I think that could be important because there are going to be numerous other clubs interested in him and it is going to be a battle to get his signature. "He can definitely play at this level and the Football League, but I'm hoping my relationship with him will swing it." ----------------- Paul Cox factfile Evening Post, 20 May 2011 January 1972: Born in Nottingham. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Paul-Cox-factfile/article-3577101-detail/article.html? April 1992: Makes his Football League debut for Notts County as a substitute for Kevin Bartlett against Manchester City in the old Division One. May 1995: Released by the Magpies, moves on to Kettering where he spends five seasons either side of a stint with Halifax Town. May 2002: Calls time on his playing career while at Hucknall Town and takes his first steps into coaching as assistant to John Ramshaw at Leek Town. April 2003: Appointed Eastwood Town's assistant manager by Bryan Chambers, where he helps develop young players such as Ben Hutchinson (now Celtic) and Colin Daniel (now Macclesfield Town). October 2006: Promoted to manager following Chambers' departure, with the club struggling at the wrong end of UniBond Division One South. May 2007: Guides Eastwood to promotion from the UniBond Division One South with a 2-1 play-off final victory over Cammell Laird. April 2008: Eastwood lose out 4-0 to Gateshead in the UniBond Premier Division play-offs semi-finals. April 2009: The Badgers win the UniBond Premier Division to gain promotion to the Blue Square North for the first time in their history. The season also sees the team reach the FA Cup third round proper for the first time in their history. April 2011: After an 11th place finish in their inaugural season in the Blue Square North, leads the club to a fourth place finish on the back of a 19-match unbeaten run. May 5 2011: Resigns as manager of Eastwood following the news that owner Rob Yong and chairman Tony Minnis are to leave and after the club have been refused entry into the Blue Square North play-offs because of their ground. May 19 2011: Announced as new Mansfield Town manager, replacing Duncan Russell ---------------------- New Stags boss Cox vows to bring instant success CHAD.co.uk, Thursday 19 May 2011 NEW Stags manager Paul Cox is confident he can bring instant success to Field Mill. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/new_stags_boss_cox_vows_to_bring_instant_success_1_3396361 His amazing record at Eastwood Town over the last five years reinforces that belief, despite only being given a one-year contract with Mansfield today. “I always set myself targets at Eastwood and have always achieved them. So I don't intend to fail here,” said the man selected from seven candidates to replace Duncan Russell. “I put pressure on myself whether it is a one or 10 year contract. “It is the nature of the beast in this job. The pressure a chairman puts on me is nothing compared with the pressure I put on myself. I enjoy pressure. “When I went to Eastwood they were five points clear at the bottom and we finished just outside the play-offs. I've done well since then and really do believe if we'd been allowed to compete in the play-offs this season at Eastwood then we would have got promoted. “That success wasn't down to extra finance or pressure from the chairman. It was down to my own internal pressure to get a football club where it wants to be.” In five seasons, Cox has won two promotions, five Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Trophies, and has taken Eastwood Town to the third round of the FA Cup. Cox's win ratio as manager and points gained per game were also among the key factors in his appointment. Cox became Eastwood Town's manager at a time when the club were struggling at the bottom of the UniBond Division One. He later led them to promotion via the play-offs. Their first season at UniBond Premier level saw Cox gain a commendable place of fourth in the division, but the club lost out to Gateshead in the play-offs. In the 2008/09 season, Cox won the UniBond Premier League as well as reaching the third round of the F.A. Cup. During that season, his team recorded 32 wins, 14 draws with only seven defeats, scoring 98 goals in the process and accumulating a goal difference of +56. Eastwood's first ever season at Blue Square Bet North level saw them finish 10th after leading the table twice. This season Cox rebuilt a team that has finished on an unprecedented unbeaten run to finish fourth in the division, but the club were unable to compete in the play-offs because of issues with their ground. However, his team now proudly holds the record for the Blue Square North longest unbeaten run of 19 games without defeat. He said: “I got a phone call asking me to come in for an interview and made a presentation. Then I got a phone call to say I had got the job. “It has been a exciting day. I came in this morning, met the staff and players and I can't wait to get started and get my teeth into the job on Monday morning. “Similar to what I created at Eastwood, I want to take the club beyond where it is. I feel there is the capacity here to be competing with clubs like Chesterfield in the Football League. It is my job to take the club there. “I want to install a winning mentality. I want us to get promotion but not just stop there. You have to raise the bar and take this club back to where it rightfully belongs. “The club has been sleeping for a couple of seasons now and I want to take it by the scruff of the neck. The hard work starts on Monday. “I hope to be sitting down and talking to the whole squad, those in contract and those out of contract as well as bringing in new signings. “I need to get a feel for the intentions and desire levels of the current players. I have a budget and I will also have to wheel and deal.” With one of the biggest budgets in the division available to him next season, Cox intends to bring in some high quality players, possibly including the cream of the crop from Eastwood, players like highly-rated goalscoing midfielder Lee Stevenson. “It would be a bit unfair to name names, but I did have some exciting prospects at Eastwood,” he said. “Lee Stevenson scored 92 goals in three seasons and goals win football matches. “Lee is being chased by a number of League clubs but he is the sort of player who would be in my radar and I hope to speak to the lad next week and talk about his intentions and ask if he wants to come to this football club.” Despite the budget, Cox will not spend money 'willy nilly' and will move out players he feel he can improve on next week. “It is likely there will be a few casualties as hard and ruthless decisions have to be made,” he said. “But my budget is certainly a lot more than I had at Eastwood Town where it is well documented what I worked with. “It was a totally different scenario. It was a smaller club I picked up in the UniBond South who, without being unfair, were probably playing above their level this season. You only have to look at their fan base. It wouldn't sustain a Conference National side. “But I think I have left them in a strong position and it was time to move on. “Here I am looking to run with between 20 and 24 players. I know the average squad at the top of this league is 27-34 but I believe having six or seven players sat in row G on a Saturday afternoon is not good for them or team spirit. It creates disharmony. “I want a tight group, even though I know I have money to spend. “I won't have a reserve side straight away but there will be a youth team and I want to bring good, young local players through. Look at Aiden Flint at Swindon. He is a local lad and should be here. “I did come and watch a couple of games here and we have a good nucleus of players to start out with. “With players like Alan Marriott, Tom Naylor, Adam Murray and Paul Connor we have a nice spine of a team. I just need to get them fit and structured, knowing exactly what their roles are on the pitch. I want to drag that extra yard out of them and improve fitness levels. “I know Louis Briscoe had a great season but I want more out of him. “I will bring in players and I don't want anyone here who has a bad day at the office not thinking they may lose their place for the next game. “I will set targets. Last year my centre half scored 10 goals from set pieces. I will raise the bar for everyone. This club finished 13th for a reason.” On the continuing battle of the Field Mill ownership with landlord Keith Haslam, he said: “I am not a politician. The chairman and board brought me here to win football matches. “We all agree this is a real team issue. My job is to create a winning side on the field and it is for the chairman and the board to sort the ground issue. Between us we can be a success together. “If I can get us promotion or play-offs, I am 100 per cent certain the chairman and board will get their part.” And almost six years at Eastwood testify to Cox's sense of loyalty to a cause. He said: “I believe in small steps. A couple of years ago when we had an FA Cup run and a championship I had the chance to move on to League and Conference clubs. But I don't believe in just jumping ship. Success is built on strong foundations and that is what I want to build here.” To the fans, he said: “Get behind the lads. “I am looking to put a side together that I hope won't let supporters down. “Nothing is guaranteed in football and we are going to lose matches and have bad days at the office. “But I want a side that, when they have lost, are clapped off as fans know they have given everything for the cause.” --------------- Cox can be a success at Mansfield says D'Laryea Evening Post, 23 May 2011 PAUL Cox can be a success story as Mansfield Town manager, believes former Stags midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Cox-success-Mansfield-says-D-Laryea/article-3581995-detail/article.html? The two men helped Eastwood Town last season to a fourth-placed finish in the Blue Square Bet North. And D'Laryea, who made 146 appearances for the Stags in four-years, says his former boss can make the step up. Cox has already been set a target of a top-five finish by club chairman John Radford following his appointment on a one-year rolling contract. "I think if he is given enough time, he will do a good job," said former Manchester City trainee D'Laryea. "At Eastwood he has proved he knows what to do to win games and he has got a very decent record. "Paul makes people play with confidence and everyone knows what they are doing – he's a good organiser. "He has got a good eye for signings as well and the players he brought in contributed to his success. "He will be able to sign quality players at Mansfield, but he also knows a good bargain. "He knows this level of football and that's important." Eastwood played a direct style under Cox and D'Laryea says Mansfield fans should embrace those tactics if they are used at Field Mill too. He added: "It is certainly effective "The aim is to get back in the Football League and I don't think the fans will be bothered how that is achieved." ----------------- Steve Hymas on the Stagsnet messageboard, Thu May 19, 2011 9:22 pm I know there will be supporters that were waiting for a big name to be unveiled.However the board decided to go for Paul Cox because he is a winner and has a no-nonsense approach to the game.His record is second to none at non-league level and he has a fantastic knowledge of players at this level.We liked his winning mentality and want him to bring that to Mansfield Town Football Club.If we wanted to put bums on seats we wouldnt need interviews we would just appoint the biggest name.We found the bigger names didnt even know our existing players,in fact one thought Louis Briscoe was a full back... Paul Cox is not a cheap option and was offered the same as all the other managers.We believe he can bring success to Field Mill and when he does we will be in a position to get promoted come the end of the season. All we need now is the support of our fans and everyone to get behind the new man. COME ON YOU STAGS ! -------------------- |
Latest | May 2011