Stags' boss Steve Evans says his side need to 'regroup' for the visit of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday after a poor performance against Morecambe this afternoon, depsite dominating much of the game.
The Shrimps left One Call Stadium with all three points after Andrew Fleming scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute and Stags couldn't find an equaliser despite a large part of the match being played in Morecambe's final third.Â
And the boss says it's now important for his players to pick themselves up and get ready for the visit of the league leaders on Saturday as Stags go in to their second home fixture in succession.Â
âWeâre not going to do anything other than work hard on a team and a shape and get people freshened up again for Doncaster and see what we can do,â the Stagsâ chief said.
âFrom our point of view, we canât wait for January but weâve got a game in between times and it doesnât get any tougher than Doncaster coming.â
Although Stags continued to attack Morecambe throughout this afternoonâs 1-0 defeat, the manager was disappointed to not create many clear-cut opportunities.
âI donât think we were overly creative today, thatâs a bigger concern. I said when Matt Green missed a couple of chances, [at least] heâs in the position to miss them.
âI think the goalkeeperâs only had one save to make today from 25 yards and when it comes out we hit the post and young Rosie (Danny Rose) gave us an impact today when he came on but he should score, itâs an open goal.
âIâm not sitting here saying that weâve dominated a football match in terms of our quality play but weâve just absolutely dominated the game [in terms of possession].
âWhen you look at the stats of 13 corners for and two against and oneâs nearly in added time, it demonstrates that we had all the ball, but we know what weâre lacking.â
The former Leeds United manager says he has continued his recruitment work over the festive period as he looks to add to his squad when the January transfer window opens next week.Â
âI think all apart from a few hours on Christmas day, the staff will tell you, Iâve been travelling up and down the country and meeting agents and players and clubs and that will have to continue.Â
âThereâll be some new players and weâre working really hard to get them. Thereâs no point me bringing bodies in that are similar to what weâve got, Mansfield supporters deserve better than that.â
Supporters can view Steve Evans' post-match interview on Stags PlayerHD.