Stags’ striker Matt Green scored his second goal in as many games to secure a win against Blackpool this afternoon, but highlighted the team’s collective commitment as crucial to the three points.
Steve Evans’ men showcased a hard-fought performance to begin the New Year in perfect fashion, as Green’s eleventh goal of the season on his 30th birthday proved to be the difference at Bloomfield Road.
Although he admitted that scoring the winning goal was the best birthday gift he could receive, it could not have come without his team-mates’ hearty effort and hard work.
Green said: “I’ll take that over every birthday present and Christmas present!
“[The] most important thing here today was a great performance from everyone. We had to dig in, with two games in two days – that’s really unforgiving on the body.
“But the gaffer said that there were no excuses for that and we are here to take the points and we dug in and gave the performance, he (Steve Evans) was happy with it.”
Today’s fixture against Blackpool also saw the manger handing debuts to his four latest signings, and Green had nothing but praise for today's strike partner Yoann Arquin.
“He is a class act. He is 6ft 2in, a big, strong lad and he’s got good feet.
“Yoann has come in, and he has not played for a while, but you can see the quality of the boy and it was a pleasure to play with him today.
“But you have got Patrick Hoban there, and Danny Rose came on as well – so, we are strong; the squad is looking a lot stronger now.”
The Stags played two games over the year-end in three days, and Green reasoned the encouraging results against league-leaders Doncaster Rovers, and today’s victory over the Seasiders, point to an upturn in form over the coming days and weeks.
“It’s been a good start and with the effort and the commitment from the lads over the last few days – the Christmas and the New Year as well – it is a small sacrifice when we get the points that we deserve.
“It’s been a tough Christmas period but I am glad to see the back of it now, and to take four points from two big clubs shows that we are in a process of heading in the right direction.”
Supporters will be able to view Matt Green's post-Blackpool interview on Stags PlayerHD soon.
