Steve Evans delighted as Mansfield Town pass relegation points marker

While all eyes have turned upwards to fighting for promotion, Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans was still delighted to see his team this week go past the magic 50-point milestone traditionally looked upon as safety.
Mansfield Town v Newport County in the Sky Bet League 2. Krystian Pearce scores for Mansfield. Picture: Chris EtchellsMansfield Town v Newport County in the Sky Bet League 2. Krystian Pearce scores for Mansfield. Picture: Chris Etchells
Mansfield Town v Newport County in the Sky Bet League 2. Krystian Pearce scores for Mansfield. Picture: Chris Etchells

Stags were 18th with one win in 11 when he took over in November.

But Saturday’s win over Newport County eased them to 50 points and Evans smiled: “I said to the players in the meeting before the game that three points makes us safe from relegation.

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“When I came in I think there were a lot of Mansfield Town fans who thought they might have been in a relegation-type of fight. I was on record at the fans’ forum recently saying that was my belief.

“If we’d not changed things round, or the chairman and chief executive hadn’t changed things round, I think it might have been us in that mix with four or five teams battling with Newport to see if they can avoid it.

Mansfield Town given defensive boost“Thankfully the guys that we kept have stepped up and been marvellous, as have the guys we’ve brought in from all different levels, some of whom have played an active part and some will be stepping up to play a part. So we’re really pleased.”

Currently in the bottom two are Newport and Leyton Orient and Evans said: “Newport and Leyton Orient have tough tests ahead. But I think every game is tough.

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“I don’t feel sorry for Newport. They’ve had a full season run at it with good owners. I think they’ve just had people in the chair that were wrong - and we can all get it wrong as managers. It’s a tough job.

“The people I feel sorry for in League Two are the Leyton Orient supporters. They were 2-0 up in a play-off final with Rotherham at Wembley two years ago to go to the Championship. Now they find themselves in danger of going non-League which must be soul-destroying for their supporters.

“But they are not my problem – the teams at the bottom – though they are when you’ve got to try to beat them.

“There’s not a bad team in the league. But winning is fine margins as showed here again on Saturday.”