Archived News from April 2013
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COX, MURRAY and ***new*** JOHN ASKEY REACTION
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John Askey Interview
http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/john-askey-interview-100413-764993.aspx John Askey on the defeat to Mansfield. The Silkmen were beaten by Mansfield at Field Mill, and we spoke to John Askey after the game. Do you think we just lost to the Champions? “I’d be very surprised if they don’t win it. As we saw tonight they are a very well organised side, hard working, powerful side and it was a good test. Over the course of the game you could see us start to improve and adapt. “Mansfield have a certain way of playing, and for some of our players it was a learning curve, and hopefully they have learned from the experience.” How are you motivating them? “Obviously there’s nothing much to play for, but it’s self pride. When you come to a place like this you want to be coming to cause an upset. We’ve got Newport up next and we’re going to that wanting to win. It is difficult because we have a small squad and I can’t change things. The players I might want to change, I can’t, but on the whole, I was pleased with most of the team.” We conceded from a set piece again. “Yes, and it’s been a problem for us, people not doing their jobs. We’ve worke don it in training and people have to carry it out. They had the majority of the chances, but it was set pieces where we let ourselves down. “They put you under a lot of pressure, and we failed to do the same. We spoke earlier that we had been playing in the wrong areas, and by the time we had learned that lesson it was too late.” A consolation from Pablo, does that disguise the performance? “It doesn’t disguise anything, it just makes it look more respectable. I’m pleased that Pablo scored because he’s been doing really well since coming into the side.” A game in two day’s time, doesn’t really give you much time on the training ground? “None at all really. With the squad we have, it’s all about recovery. We can’t bring the youth team players in, but as I said before the game our hands are tied. I think there’s a few players who know that they might be on their way, and don’t really want to be here, so I’m trying to get the best out of what we have.” --------------- Cox: Nothing has been won yet Manager Paul Cox is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, despite witnessing his side jump to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table with victory over Macclesfield Town. video interviews with Cox and Murray: http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-nothing-has-been-won-yet-763068.aspx? Goals from Matt Green, who now leads the league scoring charts, Luke Jones and Lee Stevenson sealed an incredible 16th home win of the campaign. “We’re staying hungry, level and focussed because we’ve got three games left and nothing has been won yet,” declared our boss. “It was a totally professional performance and we worked hard against them. We made it difficult and had a game-plan, which we stuck to. “There’s always been belief in the dressing room [that we can do well] but we’ll keep ourselves level, take stock and see where we are at the end of the season. We’ll be working hard to get [three] points against what is put infront of us on Saturday. They [Braintree] are a good team and have had a good season. “But there’s a positiveness and energy about us at the moment and you have to get excited. If you can’t get excited right now, then there’s no point in being in football.” Our side travel to Braintree Town on Saturday in the knowledge that if they are victorious, and Kidderminster Harriers fail to win at Wrexham, we will be champions ----------------------- Paul Cox: Mansfield Town still fresh for title run-in http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22094380 Manager Paul Cox insists Mansfield Town are still full of energy as they reach the final straight of an incredible but exhausting promotion run-in. Stags top the Blue Square Bet Premier table after the win over Macclesfield - their 10th win in 11 games since March. They could seal promotion and the title on Saturday if they beat Braintree and Kidderminster Harriers fail to win. "Everyone is buzzing. We look very, very fresh, mentally and physically," Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham "The lads seem full of energy. We look as if we can step it up a gear. It's really positive at this stage of the season." Mansfield's victory over the Silkmen was their 18th win in 20 games and the ideal response to the loss against Wrexham on 4 April which ended their 12-match winning sequence. Stags are now two points clear of Harriers and need five points from three games to be sure of finishing top of the pile. But they could secure the title if their main rivals fail to beat Wrexham on Saturday evening. Cox said: "I said to the lads the hard works starts now. We have earned the right to get there and now we need to stay there. "I won't stop the lads being excited and I want to be excited. It's what I am in the game for. "But we have to stay focused and pull the excitement and focus together. That creates energy. "I don't expect anyone to do us any favours - we are prepared to go the last game of the season. We'll just try to win at Braintree. "We just have to concentrate on the controllables - which is our game on Saturday." ----------------------- Stags manager Paul Cox feels the excitement as Macclesfield win puts Mansfield a step closer to BSBP title chad.co.uk Mansfield Town’s marched relentlessly on towards the BSBP title with a 3-1 home win over Macclesfield Town tonight and even manager Paul Cox admitted he was feeling the excitement. Cox has been trying hard to keep a lid on his side’s current exploits and keep them grounded and focused. But they are now two points clear at the top with three games left and if Kidderminster, who only have two games to go, fail to beat Wrexham on Saturday night after Stags have beaten Braintree Town, the title will be Mansfield’s with two games to spare. “You have to play with a few nerves, but you have to be excited as, if you can’t be excited where we are at the minute, you shouldn’t be in the game,” smiled Cox. “That is the exciting part for me, putting a smile on people’s faces and making people believe and sit up and take notice. “But nothing has been won yet. We must stay focused and concentrate. These lads are working hard for the club and the supporters. “We are not champions yet and there is no razzmatazz. We have three big games left and I want to win all three. “We will keep ourselves level and, once the season has finished, we will see where we are. “People talk about stress and pressure. But if we are not enjoying this right now we don’t deserve to be in the business. This game can so easily turn on you, you have to enjoy the highs.” Mansfield never looked in any great difficulties tonight against a Macclesfield side who have already missed out on the play-offs in their first season since relegation. Said Cox: “That was a totally professional performance and a good result for us. We are not singing from the rooftops yet. I am happy we worked hard and beat a good side. “Macclesfield had some good possession and some very good players who can hurt you. We went in with a game plan, got among them and made it hard for them when we didn’t have the ball. “The boys have so much energy and enthusiasm at the moment. Their desire to win the ball back tonight was unbelievable. They are so hungry right now.” The only way is Essex now for Mansfield fans as an army of Mansfield supporters will head to Braintree on Saturday hoping to see their side put one hand on the trophy and then fill local bars afterwards watching TV coverage of Wrexham v Kidderminster and becoming honorary Welshmen for the evening. “We can only try to beat what is put in front of us and it will be a very difficult game as Braintree have had a very good season,” concluded Cox ------------------------ |
Latest | April 2013