Archived News from November 2018
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FLITCROFT, WALKER, MICHAEL DUFF REACTION
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Protecting away record was important - manager mansfieldtown.net, 3 November 2018 Stags’ boss David Flitcroft has noted the value of his side maintaining their impressive away record, which now stretches to 12 games following this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at Cheltenham. Tyler Walker’s stoppage time equaliser meant that the Stags kept up the unbeaten streak which stems from last season. The manager says that his charges showed ‘character’ to protect their record. “In the second half we were brave and it was more like us,” he said. “I had to remind the players why we have a good away record. “It was really brave from the boys to get out of the mess we got ourselves into going 2-1 down. We showed real character. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/november/gaffer-post-cheltenham/ “There was a record at stake. Our fans today were brilliant. It felt like we were at home because they didn’t stop singing from minute one. “It was really important that we kept that bravery [in the second half]. Cheltenham are fighting tooth and nail for the manager and got a good result in the week. “When they got the two goals they had something to fight for, and we had to wrestle that off them. It wasn’t a steal [Walker’s second goal to earn the point]. “We talk about quality, and Mal Benning’s cross was the goal was fantastic. Tyler’s header was excellent. I hope he can score a good streak now. He got one on Tuesday and added another two today. “Every game in League Two is different, and you have different styles. Cheltenham were very difficult to break down when they went into that back five. “For a long time we have been very good away from home and I reiterate that to the players. We have something to protect and a lot of hard work has gone into that.” The Stags’ boss spoke highly of the unity that his players show, which he believes was a main factor in Mansfield earning a point this afternoon. “Absolutely [it was a deserved point],” added the gaffer. “We’ve been victim to having six or seven minutes added at the end of games and we got five today, but we should’ve had more. “If we had that extended time, which was just, there was only going to be one winner. We had to dig ourselves out of the hole we got ourselves in, [and showed] character, unity and togetherness. “After the first goal we almost became complacent and didn’t make angles for each other. We weren’t brave enough. “I brought Bish [Neal Bishop] and Whitey [Hayden White] off and their response shows me that we’re moving in the right direction. They were willing and allowed Davo [Craig Davies] and Will Atkinson to go onto the pitch and make a difference. “You want that togetherness and that squad harmony that we’ve got. But I don’t want to be getting into positions where we are digging out of a hole we’ve got ourselves into. “For their set pieces we didn’t really land on the second ball for most of the afternoon if I’m being honest. That was a real threat for Cheltenham. “I’m pleased for the players that it’s another hurdle we’ve got over. We desperately wanted three points but we’ll respect the point that we’ve got.” Stags are next in action on Tuesday 06 November, when they face Grimsby Town at One Call Stadium for a 7.45pm kick-off. iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------- Mansfield Town boss delighted to see Walker back at his best chad.co.uk Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft was delighted to see striker Tyler Walker back to his best after his two-goal showing in today’s 2-2 draw at Cheltenham Town. Walker had struggled to find the net in recent weeks before his midweek goal at Crewe, but today netted early on and added a crucial second in stoppage time when Stags were staring defeat in the face. “Tyler had a spell where he just forgot himself and misunderstood what he was about. He was probably feeling a little sorry for himself,” said Flitcroft. “But when you get to a point where you need to come out the other side you have to dig in. It’s down to hard work, spending time working at your trade. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-delighted-to-see-walker-back-at-his-best-1-9427232 “All strikers have barren runs and it takes real character to come through them. “He could have had two or three more today, he got in fantastic positions. “I’m delighted for him. He is back up and running again. I am hoping Tyler is now on a streak.” On the draw overall, he said: “I think if the game had gone on a touch longer, which it should have done, there was only going to be one winner. “We had an ambition to win and after getting off to such a good start we let them wriggle out of it. “Second half we then had to dig ourselves out of a hole we’d got ourselves in. “But we showed our character and unity and we were brave. We camped in their half and we had chances. It was more like us.” Stags extended their club record unbeaten run away from home to 12 games and Flitcroft said: “First half we were complacent and didn’t make angles for each other. “I am ridiculously disappointed with the goals we conceded. “But I reminded the players at half-time that there was a record at stake. “It was a siege - an onslaught - second half and we probably didn’t get our just rewards. But to go back home with a point was important. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it would come. I thought it was going to be one of those days. “Cheltenham were fighting tooth and nail for their manager and you could feel a bit of a bounce with the stadium behind them. “Our fans were brilliant. They didn’t stop singing from the first minute.” --------------- Two-goal hero ecstatic after late equaliser mansfieldtown.net, 3 November 2018 Striker Tyler Walker labelled his late equaliser as an awesome feeling after it ultimately secured a point for the Stags against Cheltenham Town. The Stags stretched their unbeaten league run to nine consecutive matches at the Jonny-Rocks stadium courtesy of Walker’s brace - who subsequently took his goalscoring tally for Mansfield to 10. An expertly-taken header to open the scoring on seven minutes was followed up with a 93rd minute equaliser as the latter ensured his side would leave Gloucestershire with a point. David Flitcroft’s side produced a much better second-half performance, in contrast to the first, and Walker noted his elation after netting his equaliser in the dying embers. “We’re buzzing because we haven’t been beaten this week and we’ve only lost once in the league all season,” he began. “Obviously we’re doing something right and today, [in the] first-half we came in 2-1 down so we weren’t pleased with ourselves or our performance. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/november/walker-post-cheltenham/ “I thought second-half we came out and rectified that so we’re buzzing. You could tell it was coming and we needed it. “We came here to win and even though that didn’t happen to get something out of the game and go home with a point at least is a good job done from the lads.” Walker, on-loan from Nottingham Forest, took his tally to double figures for the season as he reflected upon ending his mini-drought in front of goal. “I’m delighted to have got back amongst the goals,” he stated. “Obviously football can change in a matter of seconds. “As a striker you try to score every game but sometimes that doesn’t happen. “You go through spells where things don’t quite go your way but you have to work hard on and off the pitch. “It’s my job to score goals and I want to score every game. I want to get the opportunities and put the ball in the back of the net for the lads and the team.” The 22-year-old then deflected praise towards his teammates - citing them as the main reason behind his goalscoring record with Mansfield. “It’s a team game and I can’t do that [score] without the lads. People like Mal, CJ, Mellis, Bishop setting me up it’s perfect for a striker so I just hope that can continue,” he said with belief. “I want to score as many as I can for the team to make sure that we push right up the league. “I’m just doing my job for the team so I’ll just keep my head down and keep going.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Walker's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ---------------------- Walker delighted to hit the goals trail again chad.co.uk Tyler Walker was a happy striker tonight as he completed a three-goal week with a brace in Mansfield Town’s 2-2 draw at Cheltenham to signal his recent goal drought is well and truly over. Walker put Stags ahead and then grabbed a stoppage time equaliser. “As a striker you try to score every game but it doesn’t always happen and you go through spells where things don’t quite go your way,” he said. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/walker-delighted-to-hit-the-goals-trail-again-1-9427242 “You just have to work hard, keep going and keep your head. Football can change in a matter of seconds. I’m glad to be back among the goals. “It’s my job to score goals and I want to score as many as I can. “We came in 2-1 down and we weren’t pleased with our performance. But second half we came out and rectified that and we are buzzing.” On the goals, he said: “We all know Mal’s (Benning)quality - he’s got a great left foot. As a striker you know he’s going to whip a good ball in. You’ve just to get ahead of your man. “Luckily enough I good the header and it went in. “The second was a great ball in again and luckily it fell to me and I was happy to put it in. “You could sense it was coming and I feel if there was another five minutes we’d have won the game as we were on top and getting opportunities. “We wanted to win but it was still awesome to get something out the game that late.” ------------------- Every word of Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff's interview after the 2-2 draw with Mansfield Town Cheltenham Town 2 Mansfield Town 2 https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/every-word-cheltenham-town-manager-2180041 ByJon Palmer, Cheltenham Town Reporter What's your overriding emotion after that? Frustration really. I think the lads delivered everything I asked from them. I spoke a lot before the game about fight and spirit because last week (2-0 defeat by Stevenage) wasn't acceptable. But I think they have shown that and I think we deserved to win the game and to see it out. They scored in the 93rd minute so it is frustrating, but we have to dust ourselves down and get on with it. The pleasing thing was the application, but there was a bit of quality in there as well. They need to show that sort of spirit. Teams need to be coming here and saying 'you have to be ready and need to roll up your sleeves' because that's they key and we are where we are in the league at the minute. We are not going to 'silky soccer' our way out of it, but we do have some good players and they have shown that there is a bit of fight in them, which is the most pleasing thing. Is that the best 90 minute performance of your managerial reign, in the league? Yes, I think so. They were gung-ho at the end and from half an hour from the end they have gone four up front, with absolutely nothing to lose. We needed something to drop for us, but something dropped for them in the 93rd minute and we couldn't quite get something to drop for us. It's a point and it's a step closer to where we want to go. Of course we want that win, but I'll take performances like that because performances like that will get you more wins than losses. How much of the improvement has been down to the change in formation, do you think? It could be, but it's funny as we ended up playing 5-3-2, 4-3-3 and 5-4-1 in the end, trying to compensate for what they were trying to do. But I think the first half showed that it seems to suit the players. It wasn't working, with what we were doing before so we had to change it. It's not to say we won't go back to it, but the players seem more comfortable with that formation. You must have been pleased with the character shown after conceding an early goal Yes and all I spoke about before the game was spirit. To get a knock like that, compared to last week's reaction was night and day. It was important we did score pretty quickly, but we were on the front foot for most of the first half. Then we were a bit on the back foot and they had a bit of pressure, but they weren't really opening us up at any point. Are you frustrated because Scott Flinders didn't have a lot to do, did he? I am frustrated, full stop. It's gone now and the players are disappointed, but good, it should hurt and it does hurt because they've given everything, but if they do that more often than not, they will win more games than they don't. You had a few players who have not had a lot of League football, how pleased were you with them? I was pleased with all of them and the subs. Some senior players got left out today and the way they took it and they way they were with the other lads around the place was pleasing. There were no 'zappers' around, trying to suck the life out of it and they were all positive because they realise that it's only the people in the dressing room that can get us out of where we are. Nothing has changed from last week and I have total belief in the players because I see them and we do need to start winning games, nobody is stupid, but what they have shown in fits and starts, do that more often, for 90 minutes, or 95 minutes and that's what we want to see. You have spoken about coaching at Burnley when results don't matter, how much of a kick in the teeth was it when the late leveller went in? It's not about me, it's a kick in the teeth for everyone. Win, lose or draw is the team and when we win a game I'll be no different to how I am now. Yes, it hurts and people will talk about us not having won a game but from my point of view I am watching the players give everything and that's all I can ask. Ben Tozer played at the back and scored one and set one up, so how pleased were you with his contribution? I thought Ben played well and he was one of many. If you only have three, four or five players turn up you'll be beaten most weeks, but we had more than that today. I was pleased for Ben and Boylo (Will Boyle) scored as well so we need to get the centre forwards scoring now. Tozer may not be the sort of player you would expect to beat a player and cross to the far post is he, but he showed a bit of quality there. He did and he does have a bit of quality and the middle of a three suits him because he can pick a pass and he's a good talker and a good organiser as well, but he's another one who has had to be patient and wait. The way he's conducted himself has been good and it does pay you back, so he's kept doing the right thing, got back into the team and put in a good performance. You say you haven't changed your attitude since last week, but it was a much improved performance. Is it about trying to find consistency now? We are where we are in the league, but the main message the players have just got there is that there is a way to perform and win, lose or draw, have a go. That's all you can do and if the quality isn't good enough, you are not good enough. I think teams need to start coming here and realising they need to roll their sleeves up, that needs to be the message that's getting out there, not that if you score one they'll roll over. A little bit like we did last week. That's what they need to deliver more consistently. Did you see enough of that fight today? Absolutely. I would struggle to see anyone that watched the game that would question whether we had a go or not. We had a go and showed bits of quality, we just need something to drop for us. The ball has come over the lad's head and Chris (Hussey) has got stuck whether to head it or volley it and it's ricocheted, but we have to get on with it. -------------------- Reaction: New shape can be positive for us - Tozer ctfc.com, 3 November 2018 Midfielder Ben Tozer believes that Cheltenham Town’s new shape gives them a foundation to build on and can help bring about more positive results after the 2-2 home draw with Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League Two. A 93rd minute equaliser from Tyler Walker prevented the Robins from taking all three points for the first time at home in the league this season, despite an encouraging display from Michael Duff’s men in a 3-5-2 formation. Tozer equalised after 10 minutes with a crisp volley following Walker’s opener three minutes earlier, the stand-in skipper then crossed for Will Boyle to put Cheltenham ahead on the stroke of half-time - before Walker struck late on to steal a point for the Stags. “It’s very disappointing but we’ve got take positives from the game at the end of the day,” admitted Tozer. “It was nice as it was probably my first shot all season, it was nice to get a goal and assist which helps with confidence.” https://www.ctfc.com/news/2018/november/ben-tozer-cheltenham-town-mansfield-town/ The 28-year-old started in the middle of a back three, as Duff decided to stick with the defence that finished the 6-2 midweek Checkatrade Trophy victory over Arsenal Under-21s. “I played it all last season in the middle and at the back when at Newport,” he added when referring to playing 3-5-2. “It is a good formation and it’s more solid where you have a foundation to build on and when things aren’t going well that’s where you have to build everything from. “It needs a bit more work maybe but if the gaffer wants to keep it then it can be positive for us. “Everyone wants to play games whether you’re winning or losing, you want to make an impact on the team so whatever the gaffer decides to do and if he puts me in again I will absolutely try my best to do all I can. “The gaffer was saying that how we were fighting for the ball and putting ourselves about as well as making the right decisions, that’s a minimum and if we do that week in week out then we’ll get more positive results than negative.” ------------------------ |
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