Stags’ boss David Flitcroft says he felt like a ‘proud dad’ watching his players record a 2-0 victory over local rivals Notts County at One Call Stadium this afternoon.
Devastating winger CJ Hamilton scored in either half to ensure that Mansfield were victorious in the Nottinghamshire derby.
The manager says that watching his players perform as they did filled him with pride.
“I think the biggest thing was responding from Tuesday night,” he said. “We flushed it [out] and made sure we got our work done on Thursday and Friday.
“CJ [Hamilton] and Tyler Walker’s movement destroyed them at times. They were outstanding. We made a massive impact in making that split [defence].
“I thought we used the ball brilliantly. We can talk about form, but a new manager going in and having that time to work on them, he could make himself a hero with a win.
“But this is my first Notts derby here [at One Call Stadium], and this place was rocking! I love the CJ Hamilton song – it was rocking!
"When you see those players perform to that level, it’s like being a proud dad because you work with them and make them better. That’s my style of management."
“It was important getting the second goal because that settled everyone down.
“When you see those players perform to that level, it’s like being a proud dad because you work with them and make them better. That’s my style of management.
“These players are honest and they don’t get it wrong on purpose. But when they get it right, I think they’re fantastic.”
The Stags’ boss was delighted with Hamilton’s performance after his brace earned all three points for Mansfield.
“He [Hamilton] causes that many problems. You never know which way he’s going to go, so as a defender, he’s your worst nightmare.
“If you show him onto his right foot, he’ll use it and get a shot off with his right foot. If you show him onto his left foot, he’ll use his left foot.
“We’ve hit the post a couple of times and hit the bar. This has been a fantastic performance. These boys, their attitude is phenomenal and it has been all season.
“We look at that one loss in the league and we have to be measured in our praise for the players, because we know that next week there’s a real job to do. With a fantastic victory and feel-good factor, we have to back that up now.”
The manager also dedicated the derby day victory to the Mansfield faithful, along with commenting on the cohesion between the players in the dressing room.
“I’m chuffed for the supporters today. It’s a day for them. Derby day is all about the supporters.
“Sometimes you get in a big game, people stop making angles. But there was none of that. Pearcey [Krystian Pearce] got on the ball and was brave, Sweeney too.
“Mal Benning was brilliant. He hurt them with his passing and movement. We’re probing down each side of the pitch.
“It was a real team performance. What Tyler and CJ have produced together today, I won’t underestimate it.
“Possibly [it was the biggest win], of my tenure. I picked a team full of energy and full of running. There’s a cohesion here.
“The game is the game, but what satisfies me is watching players get better. You have to have a purpose and it has to stimulate you every day.
“They’re absolutely wild in there [dressing room]! That’s what you want to see – that camaraderie and togetherness. They were rocking in there.”
