Stags’ boss Steve Evans says he is looking forward to sharing opinions with the club’s supporters at tonight’s ‘An Evening with’ event in the 1861 Suite at One Call Stadium.
The manager will be taking to the stage from 7.30pm this evening for a night of Q&A in our hospitality suite at One Call Stadium. Entry to the event is FREE for all supporters.
The gaffer says he is relishing the opportunity to meet some of the club's fans this evening after his first three months at the helm.
“I think you can never spend enough time talking to supporters and getting opinions,” the Stags’ chief said.
“We all have opinions - I have opinions, I’m sure supporters have and you don’t have to necessarily agree but I think the one common goal in the room is we all want this football club to be in the play-offs come the end of the season.
“I think you have to be honest [in response to supporters’ questions]. I think you have to take them as they’re made at face value.
“As long as there’s never anything personal or anything like that, then you’ll always answer them openly and honestly. I am the manager who ultimately represents the fans.”
The boss used this afternoon’s news conference as a chance to reflect on his first three months in charge and reaffirmed his ambition to lead the club to a top seven finish at the end of the season.
“We’ve had 16 games as a management team here in the league and we’ve taken 30 points – that would be top of the league [form] if it was all the way through. But we’re not, we are where we are and fighting for where we need to be.
“I said to the players, they will be the difference as we go forward. We are so proud of what they’ve achieved – 16 games, 30 points – it’s championship [winning] form.
“If we can deliver as near as that, we’ll deliver a play-off place and I don’t care who we play in the play-offs, bring the biggest, bring the smallest – if we get in the play-offs, I think we’ll win them.”
The former Leeds United manager was sent to the stands at Blundell Park on Saturday by referee Seb Stockbridge whilst assistant boss Paul Raynor watched the second half of our 4-4 draw with Accrington Stanley from the directors’ box following a half-time disagreement with Mark Heywood, the night's referee.
Subsequently, the gaffer has provided an update in regards to whether either one of the duo will be in the dugout for Saturday’s home match against Newport County. Furthermore, defender Hayden White will miss the Sky Bet League Two clash with the Exiles after being sent off for two bookable offences against Grimsby on Saturday.
“Paul’s had a letter asking him to explain his position. I think he’s got a couple of days to decide on that. He’ll make his decision as to what he wants to say on it. I think he’s a little bit disappointed with what some of the content is.
“I’m not aware what Paul’s decided to do in terms of his Football Association bits and as of now, I’ve heard nothing myself.
“I would expect it to come and we’ll look at the content of that. If it’s different to what I’ve said then I’ll go and speak to the Football Association," the manager continued.
“What I do now is if I speak to the Football Association and the head of discipline there, Mark Ives, I expect a full and fair hearing. That’s what I’ve tended to get when Mark Ives has been involved in that process, 100 percent.
“I’ll see what the paperwork says. I’ll discuss it with John Radford and Carolyn Radford, as you should do, take their advice on board and ultimately make a decision as to whether I accept what they’ve said or whether I disagree.”
Supporters can view Steve Evans’ news conference, in full, by logging in to Stags PlayerHD.
