Stags’ midfielder Alex MacDonald says that last weekend’s scintillating performance away to Exeter came as a result of a series of meetings between the players and manager David Flitcroft.
Mansfield recorded a 4-1 victory over the Grecians, following two goals apiece from Tyler Walker and CJ Hamilton.
MacDonald went into detail about the ‘meetings’ held between the Stags’ players and management, adding that the week leading up to the resounding win in Devon ‘just felt right.’
“We were in a bit of a bad run in form, so it was good to be back involved [against Exeter] and get the three points, and the performance that went with it was exceptional,” said the 28-year-old.
“The manager went on record and spoke about a lot of meetings he had with the players, talking about why we do it [play football] and who we do it for. The whole week just felt right.
“It was a real galvanised spirit last week and it was great to see. It really showed in the performance on Saturday, which was a very, very good away performance.
“A lot of the lads told their stories, and I told mine, about why and who I do it for. We touched on some really good things and a lot of the lads really committed to it.
“I’ve got a few [motivations]. Obviously my little girl is a huge motivation for me, as I want to give her the best life she can possibly have, and my partner as well.
"The manager went on record and spoke about a lot of meetings he had with the players, talking about why we do it [play football] and who we do it for. The whole week just felt right."
“I’m very success-driven, and I’ve been quite lucky to achieve a number of promotions in my career. It’s certainly something that keeps me going and motivates me.”
MacDonald added that confidence is ‘flowing’ through the Mansfield ranks at present, and hopes for his first start at One Call Stadium since returning from a long-term injury, this weekend against Cambridge.
The midfielder suffered a knee injury away to this weekend’s opponents in late September, keeping him sidelined for over four months.
“You’ve got to try and hit form at the right times of the season. This is what’s known as the business end of the season.
“We’ve got some really tough games coming up, but ones that we’re looking forward to. But they’re ones where if we fully apply ourselves like we did at Exeter, I’m confident we can come away with the three points.
“I had a little taste of Crawley away, but it was just great to be back [against Exeter]. I’m desperate to be back out there.
“With the experience I’ve had previously, in these situations, I’m desperate to help the lads out there.
“I’ve made a few cameos [since returning from injury] in front of the home fans, but if I get a start out there [against Cambridge] it’ll be a long time coming.
“It’s one that I’m looking forward to, but only one I’ll look forward to if we apply ourselves like we did last weekend.
“Once we got that win last week, we’ve had a real spring in our step in training. There’s a lot of confidence flowing through the camp at the minute. It’s a very exciting time to be part of this football club.”
The midfielder also compared Stags’ current season to successful seasons he has experienced throughout his career, explaining that the campaigns share similarities.
“With Oxford we needed to win the last three games, and we achieved that to clinch promotion. There are a lot of similarities between our seasons [Oxford promotion-winning season and Mansfield’s current season].
“I’ve been involved in relegation battles. I was at Plymouth, who were in a real bad place at the time, and it was a real tough time for the club.
“That’s a pressure that you don’t like to be under. Going back to different types of pressure, the pressures that we’re under at the moment are good pressures.
“They’re enjoyable pressures. To be riding high towards the top of the league and having a chance to possibly go all the way, it’s an enjoyable time to be a Mansfield Town player.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch MacDonald’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
