Mansfield Town have defeated two teams in higher leagues so far this pre-season, but assistant manager/captain Adam Murray is refusing to get carried away.
Wins against Notts County (3-1) and Leeds United (2-0) so far at One Call Stadium have earned our squad plaudits ahead of the new campaign. But when speaking to mansfieldtown.net yesterday, fans' favourite Murray insisted that it would count for nothing if the squad were unable to replicate such performances in Sky Bet League Two, which starts on Saturday 09 August with an away trip to Northampton Town."The performances have been half-decent and we've had a couple of decent results," said Murray, when asked about recent friendly performances.
"But it's pre-season and we won't get carried away with it. We know that when the bullets fire on the 9th of August and the boots of flying and all guns are blazing, it will be a totally different ball game.
"Being inside the camp as a player first of all, I think the group has knit really quickly. There hasn't been too much 'building' as most of the lads were here last season with us.
"The new lads who have come in have been a pleasure to work with, as both footballers and people. [They are] real honest people who want to listen and learn on the training ground. We've tried to put together a squad based on team spirit, hard work, who will work for each other.
"We are a small fish in a big pond this year and with the teams who have come down from League One, and those promoted from the Conference, we know that we'll have to be together as one from the off. We can't wait for the challenge."
Murray said the squad was now almost complete following yesterday's signing of Swiss goalkeeper Sascha Studer.
It is expected that the 22-year-old will be the only first team goalkeeper on the books this season, whilst it is believed that youth goalkeeper Adam Bishop will act as back-up.
"We're nearly up to our quota. There may possibly be another player coming through the doors to finish it off.
"The squad we have put together is a young one. We had five players under the age of 20 on the pitch towards the end against Aston Villa [in a recent friendly], so the potential we have is fantastic. The fans can see that and they'll need to give these players time to gel and develop, because it does take time."
For the full interview, visit Stags Player.
