Happy Evans says Stags are ready for big week ahead

Play-off chasing Mansfield Town face the first of this week's two long trips south tonight (7.45) when they play Yeovil Town ahead of Saturday's game at Cheltenham Town (3 pm).
Steve Evans, who took his Mansfield Town squad down to Yeovil yesterday afternoon.Steve Evans, who took his Mansfield Town squad down to Yeovil yesterday afternoon.
Steve Evans, who took his Mansfield Town squad down to Yeovil yesterday afternoon.

Stags sit eighth, outside the play-offs on goal difference only after Saturday’s 2-1 win over bottom side Newport County, and manager Steve Evans admitted it is a big week for the club.

Taking no chances, Evans took his squad down to Yeovil yesterday afternoon, saying: “We went down yesterday, and we will be as prepared as anyone outside the big boys in the Championship and the Premier League.

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Defensive boost for Stags“It was five or six hours on the coach, but we trained and got down there relaxed, nice and early. It was about recuperation and recovering them from a lot of effort that went into Saturday.

“We have arrived here in fine spirits. This group has been marvellous. They are higher up the table than what any Stags fan thought they would be when we joined the club.

“It’s a big week ahead of us, but we can only concentrate on one game at a time, and Yeovil is always a difficult place to go. The supporters really get behind them at Huish Park and they play some good football.

“Look at the likes of Portsmouth that have gone down there recently and struggled to get the points. We are under no illusions.”

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On Glovers’ boss Darren Way, Evans added: “I know Darren because he has come up against my teams as a coach and a player, and we know what it will be all about.

“We’ll respect the opposition but it will all be about what we do on the evening that decides if we come back north with three points.

“They have only lost two in nine and I think they have a little bit more quality than Newport and better players all round the pitch. “Newport try to make up for that by battling and being organised.”

Evans delighted to reach 50 pointsStags will welcome back right-back Hayden White after a one-game ban after he missed Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 home win over bottom club Newport.

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But striker Danny Rose is doubtful with the knock he picked up in training last week that kept him out of the Newport game.

Evans was delighted with his team’s fighting spirit on Saturday which he believes will stand them in good stead for the two tough away testers this week.

He said: “The objective is to win every game we go into. “Were we at our fluent best against Newport? No. Did we match the effort and desire of a team whose thing is to work harder than anyone else? I think we did.

“It was a real test of character after Grimsby, but the boys stood up.

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“We got the penalty and it was a clear handball. I’ve heard Graham Westley’s words down in Newport saying it was not a second yellow for their player to go off for the second challenge on Joel Byrom.

“Well if that wasn’t a yellow card, then I give the game up for what a yellow card is for.

“I thought the referee had a great game. I am not always complimentary about them, but I speak honestly.”

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