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Interviews

INTERVIEW: Reds out to stop Mansfield's promotion party

Manager Doolan previews clash at Stags

15 April 2024

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Reds out to stop Mansfield's promotion party

Manager Doolan previews clash at Stags

15 April 2024

Accrington Stanley will be out to stop Mansfield Town sealing promotion to League One tomorrow night.

Nigel Clough's side need a win to mathematically secure a top three place although one point should be enough with their goal difference.

The Stags have won their last two games and have Davis Keillor-Dunn in top form with 21 goals and 10 assists so far this season.

Manager John Doolan said: "Mansfield have some good players, some game-changers, and they deserve to be where they are.

"They have some very good defenders and have a good squad.

"They need a point to get promoted, they have put themselves in an unbelievable position to get promotion and it's a massive challenge for us.

"But we have three points to go for."

Doolan is currently assessing his squad as he looks towards his first full season in charge of the Reds.

"Planning started weeks ago for next season, we are looking at players from everywhere but we have to bring in the right characters.

"We have come up with gems. Lads have used Accrington Stanley as a platform in the past and gone on to have great careers to the brink of the Premier League and one, Jordan Clark, is in the Premier League.

"To be at Accrington, you have to have desire to succeed, you have to be hard-working to start off with, humble - we want the right characters.

"It's not just about ability, it's about respecting everyone, being on-time, being disciplined and so on. Current contracts will be sorted out at the end of this season."

Stanley, in 18th place, have three games left starting with Mansfield tonight - the third of four away games with champions-elect Stockport on Saturday.

"It's a challenge at all these away games as the opposition all have something to play for.

"We played Doncaster on Saturday and they were in-form and on the day they were better than us. They had individual players who can win a game. It was challenging but we have had a meeting this morning to look at where we can improve as individuals and teams.

"I am enjoying being the manager, it's challenging. It's day-to-day, making decisions, organising training, dealing with players individually, having unit meetings, like the back four/back five - it's a good challenge and everyone is responding in the right way."

There are no new injury problems but Doolan confirmed that, although they are back running, Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Rosaire Longelo and Sean McConville will not be fit enough to feature in one of the last three games.


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