Stags’ boss Steve Evans believes supporters are beginning to see his ethos translate into performances on the pitch following today’s 3-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra at One Call Stadium.
We secured our biggest win of the season against the Alex this afternoon thanks to three players scoring their first goals for the club. New signing Yoann Arquin bagged a fifth-minute opener before second half strikes from loanee Ben Whiteman and full-back Rhys Bennett secured a comfortable victory for the Stags.
And the boss says the work which he and his coaching staff put in on the training ground is now beginning to come to the fore on the pitch.
“I think we’re starting to see some of the things we’re working on come to fruition. We’re looking at the new players settling in really well and it’s always the sign of a good dressing room and a good club when they get as [well] received as they’ve been,” the Stags’ manager said.
“We have a real positive attitude about our football club, led by our chairman and chief executive. We have down days and we have down moments but I’m the motivator and the only person who will motivate the motivator is me.”
Full-back Rhys Bennett missed two good chances in the second half before he forced the ball over the line in the 83rd-minute to score his first goal in Stags’ colours and the gaffer was encouraged by the determination showed by the former Rochdale man to continue making runs into the box.
“The wonderful thing is that six weeks ago this kid wasn’t getting in the box from a full-back position. We’ve got him arriving in the box and we’ve got an extra man [in the box].
“We’ve always encouraged them to be brave and make mistakes and although Rhys missed a couple of, what looked like simple chances at first sight, then you have to say he was never, ever thinking about confidence.
“I’d rather he miss three or four [chances] than not be prepared to go in there on the third or fourth time.”
After seeing Ben Whiteman and striker Yoann Arquin find the back of the net with their first goals for the club, the manager is pleased to see all of his new signings settling in quickly.
“I was particularly pleased with a number of players and I don’t like picking out individuals but young Ben Whiteman only left the pitch because he was in danger, maybe, of a second yellow, which would have been unfair because some of his play in the second half and late in the first half was just outstanding.
“I though Yoann led the line really well today and gets a goal, which is always good. You’ll see when we get Joel Byrom [fit], he’s hardly played a game of football, when we get him a little bit fitter, [we'll see] what he can bring to the team.
“Some of his execution of the passes in the second half, they had the Stags’ fans on their feet, and that was just from some of the passing.”
Supporters can view manager Steve Evans’ post-match reaction on Stags PlayerHD.
