Neil Cox tips Mansfield Town for a promotion push next season

Scunthorpe United boss Neil Cox watched Mansfield Town tear his side to shreds in tonight's 3-0 victory and tipped Stags to shine at the other end of the table next season.
Scunthorpe United boss Neil Cox.Scunthorpe United boss Neil Cox.
Scunthorpe United boss Neil Cox.

On a night when the win saw Mansfield secure their place in the EFL next season, the Iron are still not mathematically safe and he said: “Tonight was an opportunity to have a good go.

“Don't get me wrong, Mansfield are a good side and they will be pushing to get promotion next year.

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“They just went for us a bit more and we didn't have the legs tonight.

“I am disappointed to concede another three goals. We looked a bit leggy and not really ready for the challenge – and it is a big challenge coming here.”

He added: “We had to start the game right but we didn't and they over-ran us in midfield.

“I said at half-time we had to keep in the game and we had a spell of five, 10 minutes when we harried them and Mannie (Emmanuel Onariase) had a great opportunity to make it 1-1.

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“I think their second goal then got a deflection and we were all over the place after that.”

Cox believes the pressure is getting to the younger members of his squad.

“We are fighting for our lives and there is a lot of nervousness as we have to get results,” he said.

“I told them it's about what we do, let's not worry about others.

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“But you can tell a lot of these young boys are nervous about what's going on.

“They are not finding it easy. But you have to stand up and be counted. That's what football is about. It's not all about the good times. There are difficult times when you've got to stick in.

“At the minute as a football club we're having a difficult time as we're not getting results. But I will stick in there and keep fighting and that's what they have got to do.

“Some of the boys are not ready for massive challenge and their bodies won't let them do that.”

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