Stags back on the road after triple home frustration

Stags have the long haul down to Torquay United on Saturday (3pm) followed by a game at Bury on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Paul Cox’s men have just failed to win any of three home games in eight days with the manager convinced the two poor showings among them against Hartlepool and in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers were largely down to fatigue after local derby games with Chesterfield.

“I am being very analytical and our two poor performances have come directly after we have played Chesterfield. If you analyse their results they have mirrored ourselves,” he said.

“We put a lot of energy into those games. The players were pumped up, both sets of supporters were pumped up and sometimes it can leave you a bit drained.

“But we are 11 games in, we’ve only lost twice and we are in a play-off position. The club needs to understand how far it has come in a very short space of time.

“The players deserve a massive pat on the back. Now I am looking for consistency in performances and results. We need to grind out some horrible results. If we do that we will be okay.

“We have to realise who we are. We have just been promoted from the league below and we have to divine right to go and beat anyone.

“As long as we are learning and improving as a football club I will be happy.”

He added: “We have to get our feet firmly on the ground and realise we have had an excellent two years. It’s been a whirlwind. But that’s gone now and I am only concerned with the future.

“It’s a long old season and there will be twists and turns as there always is in life. We can’t expect to just turn up and win a football match. Respect of the opposition is the key.

“We know there are no easy games at this level. This table is a bit mismatched as there are some very good sides near the bottom, as we’ve seen with Hartlepool, and some big clubs that haven’t woken up yet.”

Stags Supporters Association Amber members can travel to Saturday’s game at Torquay for a tenner.

Cost for SSA Blue members is £15 and non-SSA members £25. Ring 07967 689597 to book.