Rhys Oates back to his best with first home goals in two years as Stags shoot down Bradford City
Mansfield Town striker Rhys Oates looks to be back to his best after his recent injury nightmares over the last two years - and his stunning brace today helped Stags shoot down high-flying visitors Bradford City 3-0.
That followed his winning goal at Bolton Wanderers earlier in the week.
“My last goal at home was November 2023, so it's over two years and it's two years today since I did my ACL,” said Oates as Stags made it three wins in a row over the festive period against three of the division's bigger clubs
“It's been a long road back but it's nice to be back scoring goals as the One Call and hopefully there's many more to come.
“I am full of confidence now and just enjoying my football again.
“I think when you enjoy your football, the confidence comes with it - and that's when you play at your best.
“So I just need to keep enjoying it and working hard and score many more goals this season.
“Going up to ninth shows how tight the league is and that we are good enough to compete in this league – especially playing against the last three teams and winning.
“They are teams that you would think will be up there, given how well they have done in the first half of the season.
“So for us to turn all three over and score seven goals in three games is just amazing and we just need to keep pushing and keep picking up wins.
“We will take it game by game. We will try to make it four wins on Sunday and then go and enjoy our FA Cup game at Sheffield United.”
On the win over Bradford, he said: “It was a fantastic three points.
“That is three wins in a row now and we will aim to win again on Sunday to make it a clean sweep over the Christmas period.
“We played really well and managed the game really well, topping it off with three goals.
“It was a good game for me to get in behind them in the channels.
“It was a great ball from Will to send me in. He is such a big keeper and I've tried to go low and he's still got down to it well.
“Thankfully I saw it drop back out to me and I took a touch and put it away.
“Soon after that I put another chance over the bar. I think I just leaned back too much and maybe took myself a bit too wide.”
Lucas Akins headed Mansfield's second and Oates said: “The second goal from Lucas was a massive goal to go in 2-0 at half-time.
“I am buzzing for Lucas as he deserved that. He has been amazing since he came back and works as hard as he can every day.
“He is one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet and I am so happy for him to get that goal.”
On his second goal, Oates said: “Louis (Reed) told me he'd thought about shooting but then saw the centre half had dropped off a bit and saw that I was open. So he's just slid it in nicely for me to hit first time and luckily I put it into the corner.”
Oates missed out on the chance of a triple when he was brought off with 17 minutes to go and he said: “I've never had a career hat-trick so that would have been nice, but I was starting to get tired.
“So it probably was the right decision for the team in hindsight, trying to make sure I didn't do too much, having been out for a few games with my suspension.”