{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from September 2016

MURRAY AND MARTIN ALLEN REACTION
16th September 2016 11:05


Manager wants Stags to be more clinical
mansfieldtown.net, 10th September 2016

Stags’ boss Adam Murray says his side need to be more ruthless in the final third after they slipped to only their second league defeat of the season against Barnet this afternoon.

A closely-fought contest was eventually decided by Bees’ frontman John Akinde in the 57th minute when he slotted the ball past Scott Shearer from close range.

And Murray says his side need to start converting their chances after creating a number of goalscoring opportunities against Martin Allen’s side.

“It’s obviously disappointing losing a home game, I felt we created enough chances, or opportunities, to get more from the game,” Murray said in his post-match interview.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/manager-wants-stags-to-be-more-clinical-3300570.aspx#77dCIWEFy8Sdb8ws.99

“I think we had something like 14 shots, but [we’re] not clinical enough. When you do have that amount of efforts at goal, especially [in the] first half, I felt we got in some good positions where we had to punish them and we didn’t.

“We’ve had goalscoring opportunities today and we didn’t take them. I felt there was a little bit of a lack of focus in that final third today, there wasn’t that ruthlessness there.”

The 34-year-old was dealt a blow when defender George Taft was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 21 minutes and he says his players showed signs of inexperience at certain moments in the game.

“This is the bit that we’re trying to explain to the lads that, at times, we can be very naïve. We played a square pass on the edge of their box I think it is and they’ve ended up scoring. So we’re missing that little bit of nous at the minute.

“Obviously when you’ve got to make changes so early on in the game, it doesn’t help. It wasn’t an ideal situation for us but again, I felt parts of our play was really good. We’ve got to get the balance of ‘why’ we’re playing because at times we pass for the sake of passing, but the boys have got to understand, it’s their responsibility - they’re the ones on the pitch.

“I felt at times today we were a little bit naive; there was opportunities to ‘go for the jugular’ and we didn’t but for some of them, it’s a harsh learning curve.”

The manager believes there’s still much more to come from his players and has no doubts in regard to how good his squad can be.

“I said in my programme notes, we’re only at 60 percent and something needs to click because it’s still not where it should be.

“We’ve got high standards; we expect a lot. We’ve seen when we’re on it, the kind of performances we can put in," Murray continued.

“I felt today, if we had have upped the gear, just a single gear, we would’ve put them to bed but we didn’t manage to do it. It was kind of getting there, then we took our foot off the gas again, then it’s that little bit of urgency that we need to get it over the line.

“It’s frustrating because we know it’s in there, but this is where we’ve got to turn around to the players and ask them to come forward and stand up because we know it’s in there, there’s some very good players in there.”

Supporters can view Adam Murray’s post-match interview, in full, on Stags PlayerHD.

---------------

Stags need to lose their naivity, says boss Murray after defeat
by John Lomas, chad.co.uk, Saturday 10 September 2016 2

Adam Murray felt his Mansfield Town side should have come out of today’s home clash with Barnet with something, but believed naivety contributed to the 1-0 defeat.

Stags failed to take the chances they had and were sunk by a 57th minute sucker punch from John Akinde as he broke clear to punish Mansfield for losing the ball on the edge of the Barnet box.

“Obviously I am disappointed, losing a home game,” he said.

“I felt we created enough chances or opportunities to get more from the game. I think we’ve had something like 14 shots but not been clinical enough.

Read more at: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stags-need-to-lose-their-naivity-says-boss-murray-after-defeat-1-8118333?

“I thought we got in some good positions that we had to punish them and we didn’t.

“We were in control of the game, a poor pass and then you’re 1-0 down, It was a kick in the gonads.”

Keeper Scott Shearer didn’t haave a save to make and Murray said: “Again, this season he’s not had a lot to do at all. He’s had nothing to do apart from picking the ball out of the net.

“This is the bit we are trying to explain to the lads. At times we can be very naïve. We played a square box on the edge of their box and they’ve ended up scoring.

“We are missing that little bit of nous for me at the minute. We should have made more of the opportunities that we had. I don’t feel we should have come out of that game losing, so to lose it was tough to take.”

Akinde provided the game’s moment of magic as he skipped past Krystian Pearce before a cool finish past Shearer.

“I don’t think he did anything else, but that’s the difference,” said Murray.

“We have had goalscoring opportunities today but we were not ruthless enough. There was a lack of focus in that final third.

“It’s not as though we weren’t creating the opportunities. But if you don’t take them you leave yourself open to a sucker punch and that’s what happened today.

“I though parts of our play were really good. We just need to get the balance of why we are playing as at times we passed for the sake of passing.

“We had good opportunities to go for the jugular and we didn’t. For some of them it’s a harsh learning curve.”

There were the inevitable boos at the end from the stands, but Murray said:

“It’s not like we’ve lost five out of six games. But because it’s at home and the manner in which we lost the game, it makes it a little bit worse. But we know when it clicks and we are on it we are a good team.

“To me we are only at 60 per cent and something needs to click. It’s still not where it should be. When it does I have no doubts how good a team we’ll be.

“If we had just upped a single gear today we would have put them to bed. But we just didn’t do it.”

Stags’ misery was compounded by yet another injury with George Taft limping off midway through the first half.

“When you have to make changes that early in a game it doesn’t help. It wasn’t ideal for us,” said Murray.

“It just sums up the period we are going through with injuries and it’s another kick in the so-and-so’s. It’s his hamstring.

“We are not having much joy. I know some people call them but we are missing Clemmo and Chappie (Chris Clements and Adam Chapman). You need at least one of them in there and I didn’t think we had the flow.

“Yes they give the ball away every now and then but they will try to open doors for you. They will try that 40/50 yards pass that might get someone in.

“I thought at times today we shifted it well but a little bit safe.”

----------------------

Martin Allen: "A very polished away performance"
barnetfc.com, 10th September 2016

Martin Allen reflects on Barnet's 1-0 win at Mansfield Town this afternoon...

Martin Allen described Barnet's 1-0 win at Mansfield Town in EFL League Two this afternoon as a very polished away performance, praising the defensive solidity of his side.

John Akinde got the game's only goal - his 60th in Barnet colours and 12th in as many league games - early in the second half. But Mansfield's threat was limited and what the Stags did muster the Bees dealt with.

"I thought we played well today," Allen said. "It was a very polished performance away from home. We restricted them to very few chances.

"I think they had one 25-yarder and at the end they went a bit more direct. They were always going to be a threat for the last 15 minutes but the players stuck to their jobs and it was a good performance today."

Allen added: "You could say parking the bus but I call it good defending as a team. They have done exactly what they did at the end of last season and that's what took us to so many points and the highest position Barnet have had since God knows when.

"We have got some good attacking players to come off the bench which are stronger than last year.

Read more at http://www.barnetfc.com/news/article/2016-17/martin-allen-a-very-polished-away-performance-3300304.aspx#DdhpAJxrrMbL0UM7.99

"We've got some good young players who came with us again today. We're moving in the right direction but there is a long way to go."

The Bees boss was also full of praise for the performance of Shaun Batt who was handed his first league start of the season.

Batt caused numerous problems with his pace and directness and very nearly put Barnet in front early on when Akinde picked out his run to the back post.

"Shaun is a good player," said Allen. "It was great at the end when all the supporters clapped him off the pitch.

"I think all the supporters know what I think of him. He's a really nice person - if he was your son you would be proud of him.

"He has struggled at times and it is my job to help him get back to where he should be. He is a good player but sometimes a lack of confidence [has affected him]. It's taken him a little bit of time to get to where he is but he was absolutely superb."

Jamal Campbell-Ryce caught the eye during a 20-minute cameo from the substitutes' bench and Allen was pleased with the impact of the summer signing in his second outing for the Bees.

Allen said: "Jamal Campbell-Ryce has been fit now for a couple of weeks and has been getting stronger and fitter.

"He came into the game and I thought he was superb. He really helped us and it's great now to have him."

--------------------

twitter
@alexiacovitti
Gutted about the result today, but happy to make my official debut for @mansfieldtownfc on to the next one now #stags

-------------------

 

Latest | September 2016