Stags’ skipper Krystian Pearce has said that the ‘family-like’ nature of the Mansfield squad has attributed to the amber and blue keeping the best defensive record in Sky Bet League Two.
The commanding centre-back explained that the defenders in the Stags’ squad complement each other well, and labelled the off-the-pitch relationship of the players as a huge positive.
The defender added that the injury to Hayden White is a ‘big loss’ to the team, after the versatile wing-back suffered a broken leg in Saturday’s comeback victory over Colchester.
“All of us [Stags’ defenders] enjoy defending,” said Pearce. “We’re organised and because we’re close off the pitch, it helps.
“All of us add something different to the back-three or back-five. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and we all try to help each other out.
“I was devastated for [White]. Obviously he’s a big loss to the team, and we’re close off the pitch as well. It’s a major loss for us.
“I think he’s coming in today. He seems in good spirits. Everyone will try to keep him in high spirits, and he’ll be back before you know it.
“It’s a tight-knit group which is almost like a family at times, so we try to have each other’s backs at all times.”
Pearce reflected on Saturday’s victory over Colchester, and applauded the ‘character’ that the Stags showed to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
“I think it has got to be up there with the best comebacks that I’ve been involved in,” he added.
“We were disappointed to go two goals down but the boys showed great character to come back and get the three points.
“Our decision-making as a unit wasn’t right [in the first-half]. We got punished with a couple of poor goals, and we pride ourselves on clean sheets so it was disappointing to concede two.
“It’s a tight-knit group which is almost like a family at times, so we try to have each other’s backs at all times.”
“This has been a good season so far and hopefully this is the season where we finally get it over the line.
“Every point matters and every point is important to us so three is massive.
“We’re very tough to beat at home, but since I’ve been here [2015], our away record is what’s let us down at times, so I know how important it is to go to places like Colchester and get three points.
“But we’ve only lost one away from home [this season], so obviously we’re definitely hard to beat.”
The defender also explained that as captain, he tries to lead by example with his performances.
“I try to make sure that I’m consistent and help the team in every way I can. As captain I try to lead by example.
“I try to make sure everyone’s focused and make sure everything is organised [as captain]. I try to lead by example.
“I’ve been happy with my form, but I do feel like I could be better in a few games. I’m always critical of myself, so I feel like there’s more to come.”
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