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Interviews

PRESS CONFERENCE | Phil Parkinson ahead of Mansfield Town

Read from the boss ahead of tonight's FA Cup clash

4 November 2023

Interviews

PRESS CONFERENCE | Phil Parkinson ahead of Mansfield Town

Read from the boss ahead of tonight's FA Cup clash

4 November 2023

Phil Parkinson targets progression in the Emirates FA Cup First Round when his side travel to Mansfield Town later this evening.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, after playing out a goalless draw at the One Call Stadium in October.

The Red Dragons haven’t entered at this stage since 2007, but now an EFL side, they will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions.

After making the Fourth-Round last season, Parkinson explained that they are going to give it everything to make it into tomorrow's draw.

He said: “This club has a great history in the FA Cup and one thing is for sure we are going to go there and be on the front foot from minute one.

“We will give it everything we’ve got to progress, if it’s good enough great but if not, it won’t be due to the lack of work on the training ground.

“We know they have been on an outstanding run and we will have to be at our very best.”

They go into the game on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, with notable victories against Salford City and Notts County.

The fixture against the Stags comes as the third tough away fixture in their last four outings with trips to the University of Bradford Stadium and Meadow Lane prior to today.

Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer scored twice in three minutes to secure victory last weekend at County, and Parkinson added he was delighted with how the game plan was implemented.

He said: “It was an important win for us and more importantly a very good performance for us because Notts are a very good side.

“We are pleased with how we acquitted ourselves on the day with and without the ball which was key for us.

“The way the lads went about their business on the day was great, the away following was fantastic and it was a special day.”

In last season’s edition of the competition, the Club was one of the feel-good stories reaching the Fourth Round and causing an upset along the way.

The seven-goal thriller at the Coventry Building Society Arena was on for the history books, as Mark Robins’ side were dumped out of the competition by the Red Dragons.

Sheffield United were only minutes away from becoming the next side to be defeated by Parkinson’s men, but an added-on time equaliser from John Egan took the tie back to Bramhall Lane.

The Blades won the replay, but the plaudits didn’t end there with Paul Mullin picking up the Golden Ball award for that season.

Heading into tonight’s contest, Parkinson reflected on their run last season and the belief it gave them as a squad.

He said: “To beat a team like Coventry you have to be at your very best and we had some outstanding performances that day.

“I felt looking at Sheffield United they were a level up from Coventry and we went toe-to-toe with them.

“The positivity was gained from those FA Cup games was immense and I don’t think the supporters needed to believe in the lads anymore but seeing them perform like that stood us in good stead.”

 


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