Stags’ attacking-midfielder Otis Khan has praised manager David Flitcroft’s ‘relentless’ preparation ahead of Mansfield’s away clash with Yeovil Town on Saturday.
The 22-year-old signed for the Stags in July of this year, and has since excited fans with his dynamic displays in amber and blue.
Khan insists that although the team came out with a 3-0 win over Newport County AFC on Saturday, there is still ‘much more’ to come from a side operating under the guidance of the Stags’ boss.
“It [manager’s preparation] is relentless,” said the midfielder. “When he puts something there, he wants to do it and all the players jump on board and do it. It’s non-stop work, day-in, day-out. But you can see from the result on Saturday that it’s paid off.
“We’re working on all aspects of the game and I feel like it’s coming together.
“There is definitely much more to come. As a team we have played really well but I think if people are looking at Saturday’s performance and saying we did really well, we know ourselves we have a lot more to come.
“When we see that it’s going to be nice for ourselves and the fans to see.
“They [Stags’ defenders] looked really solid. I think the block on the line by [Hayden] White shows the overall performance of the back-three. There’s a ‘never say die’ attitude. I know when their striker has the ball we’re solid back there and we’re going to do the job perfectly.
"There is definitely much more to come. As a team we have played really well but I think if people are looking at Saturday’s performance and saying we did really well, we know ourselves we have a lot more to come."
“The number 10 role is where I enjoy playing, you get a lot of space in there. I pick the ball up in dangerous positions and can affect the game. I think as long as I’m doing my part for the team, everything else comes together.”
Despite being full of praise for Yeovil, where he spent two years as a player, Khan insists that the priority is bringing three points back to One Call Stadium for current side Mansfield.
“I went down there [to Yeovil] and did exactly what the gaffer wanted and promised he’d do, which was giving me the games,” he added. “I got the experience and I have nothing but good words to say about Yeovil.
“They played me in the games so I could show everybody what I was about and I’ve done that now.
“Playing week-in, week-out [was the main positive]. It was my first spell of playing in a football club. We went on the cup runs and it was good to play in some nice stadiums. Other than that, [the positives were] just the thrill of playing every week.
“Yeovil’s make-up is very hard-working. They like to press all over the pitch and it’s a high energy team. They like to work hard and everyone is very together.
“I think they shouldn’t do too bad [this season]. I’ve seen that they’ve brought in a couple of players so that should help them. I hope they do well.
“It will be a good feeling to head back down there [Yeovil] with a new team. I know the stadium and the area well. It will be nice to score in front of the fans and do well for Mansfield because that’s where I am now.
“All I want to do is go down there and get three points for my team.”
Khan also spoke of Stags’ opening game of the season, the 3-0 win over Newport County AFC at One Call Stadium, in which he scored twice in nine minutes in the second-half.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about it [win over Newport] to be honest,” he added. “It’s a perfect start to the season for the team and myself. I can’t keep it out of my head to be honest.
“It was a great goal by myself that I won’t stop thinking about. Hopefully I can replicate it on Saturday. I’d say the second one was my favourite. It was more of what I’m about as a player. The first one I’m not used to scoring headers.
“I think it [win over Newport] has done wonders really. In pre-season we were unbeaten but in the league it can all change. But the fact that we haven’t been beaten yet and the confidence is growing and growing, there’s a real good vibe in the camp.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Otis Khan’s answers in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
