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Archived News from March 2017

EVANS AND DEREK ADAMS REACTION
15th March 2017 21:11


Stags outstanding, despite defeat
mansfieldtown.net, 11th March 2017

Stags’ boss Steve Evans dubbed his side's overall performance against Plymouth Argyle as ‘outstanding’ and has put the 2-0 defeat down to fine margins at both ends of the pitch.

A Graham Carey-inspired five minutes turned the match in favour of the Pilgrims as his 69th-minute free-kick was headed home at the far post by Sonny Bradley before the Irishman curled a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner.

And the manager was left bemused at how his side didn’t collect three points at One Call Stadium this afternoon after dominating the encounter.

“I feel sorry for my players," said the manager.

"There was only one team playing proper football on the pitch, one team makes all the chances and in fairness to them, our centre-backs don’t pick up from a set play and they take advantage of that.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/stags-outstanding-despite-defeat-3619968.aspx#RVJBbH1YQ1MuedO7.99

“The performance was outstanding today and I didn’t go in there (the dressing room) and knock it, I went in there and said it’s fine margins in both boxes.

“We were bemused at half-time; it’s 0-0 and it should be five or six. But we said that at Yeovil after time up, it should have been five or six and we said it at Cheltenham when it should have been two or three.

“We’re not taking our chances and that always makes it harder at the back. If you switch off and you get punished, it’s a problem and I’ve always said at this level, it’s fine margins.”

Stags had eight shots on target against the Pilgrims this afternoon and despite being disappointed at being unable to convert one of them into a goal, the boss reiterated how pleased he was with the overall performance.

“You’re always going to worry if you’re not making chances. We’ve annihilated them today in terms of making chances - [we were] first to the ball, second balls and we switch off for the free-kick leading to the first goal.

“It was all one-sided and it wasn’t just the way that we played, it was our intensity, our passing, our moving. We opened them up time and again.

“I can’t get down with the performance but I can certainly get down with the result. If that’s the benchmark going forward to get promoted out of the league then we’re heading in the right direction because that benchmark’s not high.

“If we play like that, we’ll beat anyone home and away. We need to play like that and have someone who can take a chance, but equally, we can’t switch off defensively.”

A home support of 3,889 supporters backed the Stags inside One Call Stadium today and the former Leeds United gaffer labelled them ‘magnificent’.

“The fans were like all of us at half-time, they were bemused as to why it’s 0-0 because it should be five [nil].

“The supporters have been magnificent and they stuck behind the team but they’ve seen a good performance today. They’ll be as disappointed as I am but it’s the lowest I’ve been since I became the gaffer here because we didn’t deserve that.”

To view the manager’s post-match interview, login to Stags PlayerHD.

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Evans unhappy with Argyle boss after defeat
chad.co.uk, Saturday 11 March 2017

Plymouth Argyle boss Derek Adams left Mansfield town manager Steve Evans fuming after allegedly telling Evans that Adams felt he was the best manager outside the Premier League.

Adams certainly saw a different game to everyone else in the stadium as his side won 2-0 with their only two efforts on target midway through the second half, having survived a battering from Mansfield, but then said Stags hadn’t had a shot on target, despite them having eight.

An angry Evans said: “We absolutely slaughtered them, yet at half-time their manager tells us all he’s the best manager outside the Premier League! Strange how people see it isn’t it? That is hard to palate.

“He failed last year and he’s got a huge budget this year.

“It was a big result for him today so we’ll give him the credit.

“But you can’t tell people you’re the best in the business. I wonder why he’s not managing Scotland?

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/evans-unhappy-with-argyle-boss-after-defeat-1-8434095

“It’s the lowest I’ve felt since I became gaffer here. We didn’t deserve that. But then again we’ve come up against the best manager in British football, so he told everybody!

“I’m not being funny, it’s probably the best Mansfield have played here in five years with the quality of football against Plymouth, who are a very good team that we’ve made look like a bad team today.

“Their manager will probably say something different and will talk about character and that stuff. But he can say what he likes. He normally talks nonsense anyway.

“If I had been here at the start of the season or like at Plymouth last year with their resources, we’d be in League One.

“We were outstanding today and just got done by two set plays though some big-headed person will be taking credit for that.”

Adams said: “It was an outstanding performance from start to finish, our best of the season.

“The 11 who started the game and the 11 who finished the game were terrific.

“Mansfield did not have any chances on target, which was good from our point of view. They didn’t really trouble us all afternoon.

“We were dominant defending and from start to finish it was a top-class performance from a group of players who have done exceptionally well this season.

“Graham Carey is the best player in the league, there is no doubt about it.

“He has got the ability to play, he is without doubt the most talented, creative. He has played a lot of games this season and has a lot of assists and a lot of goals. He is the best player in this league. “He has done well for us, but the other players in the team and the substitutes did well also.” He continued: “To come here on the run that Mansfield have been on and keep a clean sheet and score two goals against them tells you how good an afternoon it was. It was just a thoroughly top-class performance. “The fans who were here were exceptional. The backing they gave us from start to finish just shows you that if you give your team the backing they did today, the players really respond to that.”

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Evans full of praise for Stags despite defeat
chad.co.uk, Saturday 11 March 2017

A clearly upset Steve Evans could do little but praise his players, despite this afternoon’s 2-0 home defeat by Plymouth Argyle.

Stags created, but wasted a host of chances in a stirring display that Evans felt was one of the club’s best in years.

But they were stung by two goals in five minutes from the title-chasers.

“I feel sorry for my players,” he said. “There was only one team playing proper football on the pitch and one team making all the chances.

“Then our centre backs don’t pick up from a set play, so they take advantage of that, which is what good teams do.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/evans-full-of-praise-for-stags-despite-defeat-1-8434126

“But the second goal is one worthy of winning any game at any level and the boy can do that, he’s done it many times. It was a piece of quality from a top player at this level.

“Our inability to take a chance today, same as Yeovil, is proving costly.

“It was so one-sided. We played at an intensity with our passing and moving and opened them up time and time again.”

Plymouth defender Jakub Sokolik got away with a cynical challenge that halted CK Hamilton as he tried to break into the box at 0-0.

“They should have had a red card but the referee decided not to. That is his prerogative,” said Evans.

“He will make excuses about covering but there is no one covering - he is through into the box, so it’s a red card.”

Plymouth remain second and Evans said: “If that’s the benchmark going forward to get out the league then we are heading in the right direction as it’s not that high.

“There is not a Mansfield fan can say we’ve not played well today. If they did I will say you haven’t a clue. We’ve been outstanding in spells today.

“We’ve lost to switching off from a set play and a super free kick. I don’t think Scott Shearer made a save.”

It was a third game without a goal for Mansfield after the 0-0 draws at Yeovil and Cheltenham and Evans added: “This is the first time I am going home feeling down. I saw this as a big fixture for us today.

“People can say what they like but we absolutely annihilated Yeovil second half.

“You miss five or six golden chances then you miss seven or eight in the first half today and two or three golden chances at Cheltenham when we are battling near the end on a pitch that shouldn’t be in the Football League. It tell you where the problem is.”

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'Big-headed,' 'a failure,' 'he talks nonsense' - full account of Steve Evans on Derek Adams
By BEREN CROSS, plymouthherald.co.uk

A 'BIG-HEADED' Derek Adams declared he was 'the best manager outside the Premier League' at Field Mill on Saturday according to Steve Evans.

The Mansfield Town manager made a series of extraordinary comments about his opposite number in the Plymouth Argyle dugout after the Pilgrims' 2-0 win.

Across two interviews, the 54-year-old said his fellow Glaswegian talked nonsense, failed last year with the Pilgrims and was big-headed.

First, when asked about the quality of support shown by the home fans at Field Mill, he said: "The supporters have been magnificent. They've stuck behind the team and they've seen a good performance today.

"They will be as disappointed as I am. That's the lowest I've been since I became the gaffer here because we didn't deserve that, but then again we've come up against the best manager in British football."

Later, it was put to Evans the Stags' performance against Argyle had been their best of the season.

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/big-headed-a-failure-he-talks-nonsense-full-account-of-steve-evans-on-derek-adams/story-30197504-detail/story.html#Dw2klvlYJlWO9d2v.99

He said: "It's the best football played here in five years. I'm not being funny. Plymouth are a very good team and we've made them look a very poor team.

"Their manager will say something different about character, but he talks nonsense."

It was at this stage, Charlie Slater, of the BBC, suggested Evans was not Adams's biggest fan.

"When somebody tells you in the tunnel they're the best manager outside the Premier League it's hard to palate that," said Evans.

"He failed last year, he's got a huge budget this year and that was a big result for them today, so we'll give him the credit.

"He gets back on his bus, he's got terrific players, he's got an excellent assistant in Craig (Brewster), who worked for me, a good man, but you can't be telling people you're the best in the business.

"I wonder why he's not working in Scotland."

Evans was asked how he felt about Mansfield not being in League Two's play-off places after a run of frustrating draws and defeats.

"I see the best manager outside the Premier League's got his team up there in second," the former Leeds United boss said.

"If that had been me at the start of the season, playing last year with Plymouth's resources we'd have been in League One.

"From that point of view, we can't allow ourselves to get too low. The performances are very good."

Evans later rued the missed chances his side had throughout the match. He said they had eight opportunities to score, of which five were considered 'golden' by his analyst.

It was here he made it clear the Pilgrims had only had two chances all match and scored them both. He then suggested Adams would take credit for those goals.

"In the second half they make one from a set-play, they score, and the other's a set-play so we've been done by two set-plays," he said.

"I suppose some big-headed person will be taking credit for that, won't they?"

When the allegations were put to Adams by The Herald, he said they were untrue.

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Steve Evans accuses Plymouth Argyle boss Derek Adams of being a failure in extraordinary interview
By David_Byrom, devonlive.com

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has hit out at Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams in an extraordinary post-match interview.

Evans was talking after seeing his side go down 2-0 to Adams' side at Field Mill on Saturday and spared no punches when talking about his opposite number.

Across the course of two interviews, 54-year-old Evans accused Adams of failing with Argyle last season and said his fellow Glaswegian was big-headed.

"The supporters will be as disappointed as I am," he said. "That's the lowest I've been since I became the gaffer here because we didn't deserve that, but then again we've come up against the best manager in British football."

Read more at http://www.devonlive.com/steve-evans-accuses-plymouth-argyle-boss-derek-adams-of-being-a-failure-in-extraordinary-interview/story-30197668-detail/story.html#BULVLJHoIDtiL35u.99

He added: "It's the best football played here in five years. I'm not being funny. Plymouth are a very good team and we've made them look a very poor team.

"Their manager will say something different about character but he talks nonsense."

It was then put to Evans that he was not Adams' biggest fan, prompting the Stags boss to accuse his opposite number of arrogance.

"When somebody tells you in the tunnel they're the best manager outside of the Premier League, it's hard to palate that," he said.

"He failed last year, he's got a huge budget this year and that was a big result for them today, so we'll give him the credit.

"He gets back on his bus, he's got terrific players, he's got an excellent assistant in Craig Brewster, who worked for me, a good man, but you can't be telling people you're the best in the business.

"I wonder why he's not working in Scotland."

When asked about his frustrations at Mansfield not being in the play-off places yet, Evans again turned his focus to Adams.

"I see the best manager outside the Premier League's got his team up there in second," the former Leeds United boss said.

"If that had been me at the start of the season, playing last year with Plymouth's resources we'd have been in League One.

"From that point of view, we can't allow ourselves to get too low. The performances are very good."

Evans later rued the missed chances his side had throughout the match. He said they had eight opportunities to score, of which five were considered 'golden' by his analyst.

It was here he made it clear the Pilgrims had only had two chances all match and scored them both. He then suggested Adams would take credit for those goals.

"In the second half they make one from a set-play, they score, and the other's a set-play so we've been done by two set-plays," he said.

"I suppose some big-headed person will be taking credit for that, won't they?"

When the comments of Evans were put to Adams, the Argyle boss laughed loudly before he said: "I don't think that's quite right.

"Steve is one of these guys that talks a lot and tells a few fibs along the way."

Adams continued: "Listen, we are not best pals after the game. It is 90 minutes of football and we each want to win.

"We are both Scottish. We have had words and that's the way it is, but what he said is untrue."

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Steve Evans 'tells fibs' says Derek Adams as he responds to outburst from Mansfield boss
By Chris Errington, Football Editor, plymouthherald.co.uk

DEREK ADAMS was involved in a heated war of words with Mansfield Town rival Steve Evans during and after Plymouth Argyle's 2-0 win at Field Mill.

The two feisty Glaswegians clashed over a number of incidents, including at half-time.

It led to them making some outspoken comments about each other following the Pilgrims' 11th away win in League Two this season.

Evans claimed Adams had boasted about being the best manager outside the Premier League.

Adams denied saying that and stated his view that Evans 'tells a few fibs along the way'

Evans had seen his Mansfield side dominate the first half, without converting any of a number of chances they created.

Argyle then came out on top after goals from Sonny Bradley and Graham Carey in the second period.

Evans said: "We absolutely slaughtered them, yet at half-time their manager tells us all he's the best manager outside the Premier League."

He added: "It was a big result for him so we will give him the credit.

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/steve-evans-tells-fibs-says-derek-adams-as-he-responds-to-outburst-from-mansfield-boss/story-30197481-detail/story.html#ul0PSimTRPHF8U1d.99

"But you can't tell people you are the best in the business. I wonder why he's not managing in Scotland."

When the comments of Evans were put to Adams, the Argyle boss laughed loudly before he said: "I don't think that's quite right.

"Steve is one of these guys that talks a lot and tells a few fibs along the way."

Adams continued: "Listen, we are not best pals after the game. It is 90 minutes of football and we each want to win.

"We are both Scottish. We have had words and that's the way it is, but what he said is untrue."

One of the flashpoints between Evans and Adams came in the 34th minute.

CJ Hamilton threatened to break clear for Mansfield until he was blatantly fouled by defender Jakub Sokolik.

Only the fact that Sokolik's centre-back Sonny Bradley was in a covering position saved him from being sent-off.

Instead, Sokolik was booked by referee Richard Clark, much to the annoyance of Evans, but Adams argued it had been the correct decision.

Adams said: "I know their manager was going on a bit about it but you will see in the clip that Sonny Bradley was covering around.

"He (Evans) was having a go at the referee about it at half-time.

"But clearly he (Hamilton) was about 25 yards from goal and Sonny Bradley was on the cover."

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Derek Adams: Plymouth Argyle boss denies saying he is the EFL's 'best manager'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39256464

Plymouth boss Derek Adams has denied telling Mansfield manager Steve Evans that he is the 'best manager in the English Football League'.

The pair argued during Argyle's 2-0 win at Field Mill on Saturday.

"He failed last year, he's got a huge budget this year and that was a big result for them," Evans told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"When somebody tells you in the tunnel they're the best manager outside the Premier League, it's hard to pallet."

But Adams told BBC Radio Devon: "I don't think that's quite right, but Steve's one of these guys that talks a lot.

"We're not best pals after the game - it's 90 minutes of football and we want to beat each other, we're both Scottish, but you've got to get on with it.

"We've had words and that's the way it is, but what he's said is untrue."

Evans, who was appointed as Stags boss in November, also said Mansfield's performance was their best since he joined the club.

"It's the best they've probably played here in five years - I'm not being funny, it was the quality of the football," he said.

"Plymouth are a good team, a very good team, and we made them look like a bad team, a poor team.

"Their manager will say something different, he'll talk character and all that stuff but he can say what he likes."

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Derek Adams: Plymouth Argyle's Graham Carey is the best player in League Two
By Chris Errington, Football Editor, plymouthherald.co.uk

DEREK ADAMS lauded Graham Carey as 'the best player in League Two' after his matchwinning performance for Plymouth Argyle against Mansfield Town.

The 2-0 victory at Field Mill took the Pilgrims another step closer to promotion and came amidst some heated exchanges Adams and his opposite number Steve Evans.

Mansfield could not turn their first half dominance into any goals and Carey made them pay in the second period.

First, he was fouled and then took the resulting free-kick which led to centre-back Sonny Bradley opening the scoring.

Carey curled the ball to the far post and Bradley headed home his sixth goal of the season from almost on the line.

It was then 2-0 in the 74th minute when Carey hit the target with a superb 25-yard free-kick.

Adams was in ebullient mood after the match, perhaps enjoying the win even more than usual after his war of words with Evans.

"It was our best performance of the season," said the Pilgrims' boss.

"It was an outstanding performance from start to finish. The 11 that started the game and the 11 that finished the game, it was terrific."

Adams continued: "They (Mansfield) didn't really trouble us all afternoon. It was dominant defending.

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/derek-adams-plymouth-argyle-s-graham-carey-is-the-best-player-in-league-two/story-30197511-detail/story.html#xtquyfC2MmHXq07X.99

"From start to finish it was just a top class performance from a group of players that have done exceptionally well this season."

Derek Adams on the touchline at Field Mill, with coach Paul Wotton next to him

When it was put to Adams that Carey had made the difference in the match with a goal and an assist, he responded in forthright manner.

"Graham Carey is the best player in the league, there is no doubt about it," said Adams.

"He's talented and creative. He has played a lot of games this season and got a lot of assists and goals.

"He is the best player in this league and he has done well for us.

"But so have the other players in the team - the substitutes that came on and the ones that started the game."

Mansfield's defeat was their first in the league at Field Mill since Boxing Day.

Adams said: "We were all told about the run Mansfield were on and we have kept a clean sheet and we have scored two goals against them.

"That tells you how good an afternoon it was. It was a thoroughly top class performance."

Adams also had words of praise for the 657 Argyle fans in the attendance of 4,546 at Field Mill.

He said: "They were exceptional. The backing they gave us from start to finish.

"It just shows you that when you give your team the backing they gave us today the players really respond to that."

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That's the Spirit
by Chris Groves, pafc.co.uk

A SPIRITED Derek Adams heaped praise on his Argyle side after they picked up a 21st win of the season, labeling their victory over Mansfield Town “an outstanding performance”.
The Greens were tasked with bouncing back just four days after a disappointing defeat at home to Blackpool, against an in-form side pushing for a spot in the Sky Bet League 2 play-offs. But, as they have so many times this season, the Pilgrims took the best shot of their opponent and came out swinging.

After an hour of intent, energy and chances for Mansfield, the hosts began to fall back and lose composure after failing to find a way past Argyle’s defences. The visitors pounced, first through Sonny Bradley heading home Graham Carey’s free-kick on 69 minutes, before Carey cracked in a superb dead-ball five minutes later to seal the victory.

“It was our best performance of the season,” said a visibly buzzing Adams after the game.“It was an outstanding performance from start to finish. The eleven that started the game, the eleven that finished the game; it was terrific.

“They didn’t really trouble us all afternoon. It was dominant defending from start to finish. It was just a top-class performance from a group of players who have done exceptionally well this season.

Read more at http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/thats-the-spirit-3621125.aspx#Bt28veUxDMQMsGfZ.99

“The run that Mansfield were on - we were all told about that. We’ve kept a clean sheet and scored two goals against them, so that tells you how good the afternoon was.”

Well over 600 members of the Green Army were not just in attendance at the One Call Stadium; they offered constant support to their side, who put in an immense shift to pick up an eleventh league win away from home this campaign.

“We were in total control of the game, from the first minute to the last minute,” said Derek. “Really, throughout the 90 minutes, did they work Luke McCormick? The answer is no, and we’ve come away with three points.

“It was just a thoroughly top-class performance, and the fans here were exceptional. The backing they gave us from start to finish: it just shows you when you give your team the backing they showed us today, the players really respond to that.”

Paired with slip-ups from teams in the Sky Bet League Two play-off places, the win sees Argyle create further breathing room between themselves and fourth - a gap they will look to maintain, if not extend, when they pay a visit to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

“We’re looking to continue the form that we’re on,” said Adams. “We’ve won 21 games this season out of 36 games. It’s a tremendous points total to have and we’ll just keep on going.

“It’s another midweek game for us. We’ve had a busy schedule, but to do as well as we’ve done through the busy schedule, through the ones that we’ve had out injured; it just shows you how good a squad we are.”

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Latest | March 2017