New fitness levels can help Mansfield Town to safety says striker Nicky Maynard

Mansfield Town striker Nicky Maynard believes the players' new heightened fitness levels will pay dividends as they battle to move up away from the relegation battle.
Nicky Maynard of Mansfield TownNicky Maynard of Mansfield Town
Nicky Maynard of Mansfield Town

New manager Graham Coughlan has had his new charges in for triple sessions to condition them for his high pressing game and, although results have not get improved, performances have.

“It has been needed,” said Maynard. “I don't think the lads have fobbed it off for the last six months. But we just do as we are told. We are a hard-working and honest bunch.

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“Maybe some of us might have said what we're doing is not enough, but the gaffer has come in and changed things. It's a lot different to how is was.

“We have adapted well and hopefully we can go on to have a strong end to the season.”

Maynard admitted the new regime had been hard.

“It's been a shock to the system,” he said. “The first triple session we had, the lads were feeling it a little bit.

“The first week was tough. But the second week was exactly the same but wasn't as tough. Our bodies are getting used to the demands. Everyone has been enjoying it and we've felt a bit fresher on the pitch.

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“The gaffer wants us to push ourselves and it's good to know that the lads can do that and it shows on the pitch.

“Sometimes you think you're too tired to do this or make that extra run, but we've proved we can do it on the training pitch and now we can do it on the pitch. That's only going to better the team.”

Stags are certainly in need of the extra fitness with Coughlan's new 'in their faces' style bound to test stamina.

“We are a pressing team now and we all need to be on the same wavelength to press at the right times and consistently as well,” said Maynard.

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“You can't just press for five minutes and then sit off for five minutes. If we're going to press we're going to press for however long it takes.

“I think as a team that's improved a lot game by game since the gaffer's come in and learning what he wants.

Maynard added: “He can't change things overnight or in the space of a week. You've got to give him time.

“The lads have bought into it really well and it can only get better.

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“I know the results are not going our way at the minute but we feel we're playing a lot better than we have done.

“We've got to stick together, keep working hard, keep believing and keep striving for three points on a Saturday.”

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