Paul Cox calls on Mansfield Town players to improve their mindset

Cox was left annoyed by some of his players appearing to be happy to settle for a point at rock-bottom Tranmere on Tuesday.

And Cox has vowed to give his players ‘a jolt’ as he looks for an instant reaction against York City.

“On Tuesday night I thought our body language was submissive and did not look like it has for other games,” said Cox.

“We have had a bad run of injuries, but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves.

“It has been a tough week for the boys, but it does not mean that it is ok to settle for a point because we have not been able to fill the bench.

“There will be managers who will be happy to come away with a point, I am never satisfied with a point.

“Tuesday was always going to be a tough game, they got relegated from League One and have just got a new manager.

“When you get a new manager you will get 25 per cent more from the players for the next two games.

“I was disappointed that we did not affect the game in the final third. To be fair, Tranmere has been the only game recently where we didn’t really create any chances.

“We defended well, but I wanted more from the game.

Mansfield are currently without a win in their last five games and have scored just once as the injury crisis continues to bite hard.

Daniel Carr joined the depleted Stags on Tuesday from Huddersfield Town and Cox is hopeful he can add more bodies to his squad over the next 48 hours.

Tranmere 0 Mansfield Town 0Alex Fisher latest player to be ruled out with injuryPaul Cox looks to bring in fresh facesDaniel Carr joins on loanAdded Cox: “The boys have been running through walls for me, but they have got to work hard to stay in the team. There will be new players coming in and other players coming back from injury.

“I have been working 24/7 to bring new players in if the chairman gives permission.

“We cannot let our performances dip and must put pressure on the players to keep their places.

“We have been unlucky with nasty injuries to players, but we still have to deliver the results. I hope we get a better performance on Saturday. I won’t have players feeling sorry for themselves.

“I am going to give the boys a nice ‘jolt.’ The circumstances have been tough, but sometimes you have got to go above and beyond as a player.”

What do you think? Email your views to Stephen Thirkill