Richard Cooper aiming to restore confidence in Mansfield Town's players

Richard Cooper wants to see the confidence restored amongst Mansfield Town’s players.
Richard Cooper wants the confidence to return to the Mansfield Town players. Pic by Richard Parkes.Richard Cooper wants the confidence to return to the Mansfield Town players. Pic by Richard Parkes.
Richard Cooper wants the confidence to return to the Mansfield Town players. Pic by Richard Parkes.

The academy manager will take charge of Stags until Graham Coughlan’s full-time replacement is found.

And key for Cooper is getting Mansfield Town to believe in themselves when they host Walsall on Saturday.

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“I just want a positive reaction now for Saturday and that's all I'm concentrating on,” he said.

“It will be a big occasion getting into the dugout, but the focus is on the players.

“We need to raise confidence and get the players to believe in themselves and that they have nothing to be afraid of.

“We need to get them feeling good and to get the confidence back. We will put our game plan together and take it from there.

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“We've got good footballers in the dressing room and our job is to get the best out of that group.

“We have just tried to be bright and enthusiastic in training.”

And Cooper says he jumped at the chance of taking charge as he looks to steady the ship.

“I’ve got to prepare the team for Saturday and that is my sole concentration,” he added.

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“I’ve been here a long time so when the text came I felt it was my duty to step in and try and steady the ship if that is what is needed at this moment in time.

“I did not hesitate, if that's what is needed for a few days or weeks.

“The results have not gone our way, I don't think work ethics or anything can be questioned.

“We have to be respectful as there has been a change of manager and all we have tried to do is make them feel good about themselves to get the best out of them.

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“We have seen bits of Walsall and we know they have good players and ones that are threats.

“I feel we have to focus on ourselves a lot at this moment in time and on getting the best out of the group.”

Mansfield will be without Ryan Sweeney after he tested positive for Coronovirus, with the defender’s self-isolation period ending on Friday.

Mal Benning is due back in the building today (Friday) following his isolation, but he will now have to undergo phased work with the medical team to build him up to speed.

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Corey O’Keeffe is due to return on Monday after showing no COVID-19 symptoms, while Ollie Clarke is around three weeks away from a return to training.

Visit www.chad.co.uk/stags for the latest Mansfield Town news.