Adam Murray believes getting a squad on 'the same page' will be key to Mansfield Town's hopes next season

Adam Murray, pictured in charge during Mansfield's 3-1 win over Notts County in October 2016. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

That is the view of former boss Adam Murray who believes the current squad has the quality but not the uniform philosophy needed to challenge.

Speaking during a fans’ Q&A on the club’s social media channels, Murray said: “The squad is a good one at the minute and has some good players who can go on and play at the next level.

Listen to part one of the club’s exclusive interview here

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray encourages his side during a 1-1 draw with Northampton Town in February 2015. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

“The thing that hampered them this season is there are a lot of players from different managers, with different styles and different ways of doing things and playing.

“The fact that there are people on different pages within that group will be the thing the manager will be talking about.

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Adam Murray had a short spell as Barnsley's caretaker manager last season. prior to the club's appointment of Gerhard Struber. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

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“That is something he will be looking to freshen up and to get everyone on the same page.

“I don’t think it’s a case of not having the right players or the right quality, it is just a case of bringing everyone together and on the same page of what the manager wants.”

Murray started his own managerial career on 21 Nov 2014 when he took over from Paul Cox, starting with a win over Plymouth in his first match.

He was appointed permanent manager the following month and went on to manage more than 100 games for the club before leaving his role in November 2016.

And during the Q&A Murray lifted the lid on what he had learned from those early days and the transition from playing into management.

“It has been an interesting journey and very challenging. I ve had a lot of positives and a lot of lows that I have learned from,” he said.

“Going from playing to managing overnight was a big step for me.

“There were certain things I had ideas on that I would like to see out on the pitch, but putting them in place overnight was a big shock for me.

“Learning how to win games, trying not to lose games, dealing with players and forming a different type of relationship with players, who were my mates as a player, was a real good challenge at the start.”

And Murray, who is currently a first team coach at Barnsley, believes his days as Stags boss helped shape his philosophy and teach him the value of taking a level headed approach to decision making.

“Over the years I have defined my philosophy a little more and in more detail and you get to know what you want,” he added.

“I have had to learn working on the job and first hand experience. It has been a real good learning curve and things have changed over the years, such as how I see the game.

“It has been a good challenge, the biggest thing I have learned is not to be too emotional and make emotional decisions.

“When I first started at Mansfield I went from playing to managing and you are still feeling the player's passion on the touchline.

“Sometimes you make decisions based on emotion rather than the brain, that is the biggest thing I have taken - you need to keep a focused head on during the 90 mins of a matchday and make sure your decisions are intelligent ones not emotional ones.”

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