STAGS boss David Holdsworth says his team has to improve their overall workrate and organisation to help them climb the Blue Square table.
The Field Mill side have been plagued by a number of poor defensive displays throughout the season, which has cost vital points and seen them slide to just two places and one point above the dreaded drop-zone.
- Click here to watch a video of Friday's press conference at the club's official website mansfieldtown.net
And Holdsworth, who enjoyed a distinguished career as a defender, says one of his first moves as manager will be to make sure his team defends better from the front.
Holdsworth, in charge since Tuesday morning, said at a press conference on Friday: "We need to improve and work better together to help us develop an understanding and to get more points. Against Burton our workrate was fine (when in possession), but when we did not have the ball it was a concern.
- Click here to read sports editor John Lomas' review of 2008 at Field Mill
"In future we will defend as an 11 rather than as three groups and work effectively as a unit. It is vital that we start to keep clean sheets.
"From an attacking point of view it was encouraging against Burton, but the attackers still need to work as a defensive unit.
"Even the best attacking players in the world such as Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole work their socks off defensively for the team. This is something that I will be encouraging and demanding."
And as part of his innovative efforts to improve the team's work-rate the players will receive regular body fat tests to keep on top of fitness levels - and he has already brought in his own physio and sports scientist/nutritionist to Field Mill.
- Ilkeston coaching staff join Stags
Added Holdsworth: "I have standards to keep and players know what they need to do to stay at this club. The players have been given the body fat tests and it is all about learning and improving as a player.
"High fitness levels are vital because we need to be fit enough to play for 95 minutes and to work hard throughout."
He again spelled out the contribution he expected his new physio Jason Truscott and sports scientist/nutritionist Gavin Jones to make after they joined him in making the switch from Ilkeston to Field Mill.
"They are both Mansfield lads . . . Jason knows my methods . . . he will give me an excellent support system from my physiotherapy department.
"Gavin has today (worked) on body fat, finding out if they have been eating too many pork pies over Christmas!
"That is a regular occurence . . . my players must buy into it or I will find players that will."
Injury victims Mark Stallard and Alan O'Hare are continuing their recovery and Holdsworth said that O'Hare has a chance of being available for the next first team match, against Altrincham on 10th January.
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