Murray calls on fans to unite and help Stags kickstart home form in derby

Adam Murray has called on fans to unite with the club on Saturday and help kickstart Mansfield Town's home form when neighbours Notts County come to town (12.15pm).
Mansfield Town's Manager Adam Murray speaks wih the Press - Pic Chris HollowayMansfield Town's Manager Adam Murray speaks wih the Press - Pic Chris Holloway
Mansfield Town's Manager Adam Murray speaks wih the Press - Pic Chris Holloway

Despite some good away displays, the Stags have not won any of their last four home games or even scored a goal, prompting some boos and barracking of players.

Boss Murray is very aware things need to improve, but wants fans to stay onside for the 90 minutes of the game and get behind their side come what may.

“This isn’t a new thing,” he said. “It’s not just this season, this has been going on for years, for past managers and I imagine for future managers. We have looked at every single stone you can pick up and have a look under.

Click HERE to read our big match preview

Click HERE to read about Adam Murray’s selection headaches for the derby

Click HERE to read about injured pair Thomas and Howkins’ chances for Saturday.

“There are some mad stats about it as well, which bamboozle you. But if we keep the performance levels high and the environment stays positive that’s a massive thing.

“Away from home if someone makes a bad pass or makes a bad decision, it’s not the end of the world. The players are allowed to continue to focus on the job in hand. That’s why I think the results come away from home.

“It’s League Two, players are going to make mistakes. But when they do, they still have the freedom to go and express themselves. For me that’s a big reason why we pick up points away from home.

“It’s tough at home. You look at our last home performance, it was good. Grimsby had one shot on target, which was a penalty, and we lost the game.”

On the boos from the stand, he added: “I think it’s more frustration than the fact the fans think the team’s not very good as we know that’s not true. We feel that frustration as we believe we should have won probably all our home games so far.

“We want to get it right and we’ll be looking to do that on Saturday.

“Our environment is key, not just for local derbies.”

Murray told fans to look back through history and see the part they have played in times of success.

“The home form for a number of seasons hasn’t been very good,” he said. “The seasons it has been good, they’ve ended being successful, be that play-offs, promotion or whatever.

“The big common denominator in that is when players and fans stand side by side.

“So if some makes a bad pass after three minutes or I pick a team that someone doesn’t agree with, for 95 minutes we have to stay as one.

“Whether you agree with something or not or you don’t like a player, you don’t like the manager, you don’t like the staff, you don’t like the way we’re playing, for 95 minutes the environment is key.

“What we can’t do, whether it’s our local rivals or anyone who comes into this house, is give them one scent of blood.

“This league is ruthless. This will go on to the last day of the season. There will be 15 teams fighting to get into that top seven.

“We have to make this a fortress, and we do that by, however long the game is, staying on the same page.”