Stags’ longest-serving player believes our luck will soon change for the better.
Defender Ritchie Sutton believes our team’s luck will change in the coming weeks.
Since the turn of the year, our team have had no fewer than 48 attempts on goal in just three matches, but they have just a solitary point to show for their efforts.
Ahead of Saturday’s game at second-from-bottom Carlisle United, Sutton said: “I know when you look at the league table it’s a relegation battle, but we’ve played the teams ‘up there’ such as Burton and Wycombe, and we deserved to get something out of both games.
“I think we’ll go into every game now, regardless of who we’re playing, looking for the three points.”
The 28-year-old continued: “In games, we’ve been so tense. Ten games ago, we were going one-nil up and not being able to see things out.
“I think if we go one or two goals up now, with the experience that we’ve got at the back we should be able to see things out. We’ve had enough learning points this season now that we’ve got to start ‘doing the business’ really.”
Recalling our game with Carlisle at One Call Stadium earlier in the season, which we won 3-2, he continued: “I remember being 3-0 up at half-time, but we took our foot of the gas, they came at us and scored two goals, and that’s where we’ve got to learn again.
“We’ve got to be professional and see games through like that, so we’ll hopefully go there [to Carlisle] and set up with a good plan.”
Reflecting on last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers, Sutton said: “A clean-sheet was massive for us. We’ve defended well, in stages, for many games now, but have made silly errors that have cost us points at times.
“So it was great to get a clean-sheet and it’s something that we’ve got to build on now. We were disappointed because we thought we deserved the three points, but it wasn’t to be.”
Following Adam Murray’s appointment as manager, Sutton is now the longest-serving player at One Call Stadium, having joined the club way back in the summer of 2011.
“Every year has been different,” added the centre-back. “Everyone has a different personality and there’s been a set of totally different lads during that time.
“Playing-wise, there’s been a different style of player and we’ve got good wingers at the moment. I’ve always found it difficult to play against Matty Blair, so it’s good to have him on my team now.
“We’re playing some good football and everyone can see that. We just need to start putting chances away and cut-out the mistakes at the back, because they need nullifying.”