Mansfield Town

Defender regrets missed chances in curtain-raiser to the new season.

Defender Ryan Tafazolli believes we were unfortunate not to come away from the Sixfields Stadium with any points, following today’s narrow defeat to Northampton Town.

Our team lost the Sky Bet League Two season-opener 1-0 at the Sixfields Stadium courtesy of Kaid Mohamed’s free header from a set-piece just prior to the hour mark.

“A lot of people had a few chances today, including myself,” said Tafazolli. “I think I had two or three and we could have had a couple of goals, but it was one of those days where it just didn’t fall for us

“We’ll go into training on Monday and we’ll watch the DVD as a squad and break it down to have a look at the things we can improve and look at the positives.”

He continued: “I think we’ve got a lot more individual quality this year and a lot of players that can make things happen.

“There is a togetherness within the squad this year and everyone is a lot closer. We’re a lot more ‘matey’ off the pitch as well as on the pitch and I think that will help us.

“The squad is a lot smaller, so I think that will take us through the times.”

Tafazolli came agonisingly close to equalising for us deep into injury-time at the end of the first period when his bullet-header drew a fantastic reaction save from Cobblers’ ‘keeper Matt Duke.

“I wish I could have done better with it,” said the 22-year-old. “All you get told is to get your headers on target and that’s the best you can do.

“I headed it down, but the ‘keeper pulled off a ‘worldie’ save to be fair to him.”

On Mohamed’s match-winning goal, Tafazolli added: “We’re renowned for not conceding from set-pieces and to be honest, I couldn’t tell you the last time we did concede from one.

“We’ve just got to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”