Speaking prior to tomorrow night’s trip to league leaders Forest Green Rovers, Stags’ number one Nathan Bishop has hailed the defensive unit ahead of him.
The 22-year-old was reflecting on a fine 1-0 victory against fellow promotion rivals Northampton Town last Saturday as the amber and blue moved into the play-off places once more.
The defensive unit helped the Stags to a new club-record of 11 consecutive home league victories.
When talking about the back four at a news conference today, Bishop said: “They are ‘huge’ and honestly, I look at every single one of them and I am grateful for what they do.
“I’ve got Elliott [Hewitt] at right-back who can run all day for the team, I’ve got two centre-halves that have got a bond like no other and I’ve got Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] on the other side who is an experienced head that goes forward, comes back and does everything for us.
“Alongside the defence, the talking also comes from midfield,” said Bishop
“The talkers are also in midfield with Quinny [Stephen Quinn] who never stops talking all game, Hawks [Oli Hawkins] and JJ [John-Joe O’Toole] constantly communicate with each other, Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] communicating with Hawks and Elliott [Hewitt] communicating with JJ. It is a good link and it works really well when they are communicating with each other.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Forest Green Rovers, the goalkeeper recognised the strength of the league leaders, but says the Stags will be travelling with the aim of getting a win.
“They are a great side and they play good football as well, but we are going there to simply focus on ourselves, what we can do as a team and how good we are as individuals.
“The plan is to get the win and that is what we need to do.”
When asked about the final eight games of the season, he said: “It is one game at a time and one opponent at a time, so you have to deal with it like that.
“You can be bottom of the league playing top of the league or you could be mid-table playing top of the league, but it does not matter.
“Anyone can beat anyone and it just shows that you have to be on your A-game all of the time. We got a good win last weekend against Northampton and we’ll go and play Forest Green but Scunthorpe at the weekend will be a whole different challenge.”
Watch Bish's interview on iFollow Stags now by clicking here.
