John Sheridan: 'Notts threw Mansfield game away'

Notts County manager John Sheridan has ripped into his side for throwing the game away after losing 3-1 at local rivals Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The Magpies spurned a number of chances in the first half as the Stags drew first blood in the second half through Matt Green.

Despite Alex Rodman's equaliser, Green's late penalty and Darius Henderson's injury-time cherry on top left Notts reeling in yet another derby defeat.

Sheridan told reporters: “I am very disappointed to lose the game and the manner of the goals we gave away was ridiculous and is beating me up.

“It is ridiculous how we’ve conceded three goals here today and we need to sort it out quickly.

“I said to them at half-time the game is there for you if you want it, raise your tempo, go and win it.

“But Mansfield came out second half and played a bit more in our face.

“My team talk today was if you win today you’re in the top three with a game in hand. If someone was telling me that and it was there to aim for that’s all you need.

“Players are a different breed today, and we need to get someone who is going to be ugly for an hour and a half, get on people’s backs for an hour and a half instead of just listening to me all the time as I am getting sick of saying it.

“We have thrown that game away. We gave ourselves a lifeline with the goal, but I just can’t condone the goals we are conceding.

“We should have gone in 2-0 up at half-time, but sometimes you don’t take them and it comes back to bite you on the backside.

“It was a lethargic performance and the tempo was too slow first half, even though we were in control.

“I am gutted for the supporters. We had a big following and it was a big game for them.

“It was an absolute disgrace of a penalty to give away. It’s just about reacting quickly instead of delaying. Fortunately we’d got away with one before.

“I want to get out the division this season. I want us to be a good team that people talk about.

"I don’t want people to see us conceding soft goals. I don’t want to be sitting 10th or just doing better than we did last season.

“I think we are a good enough team to do well, but not conceding goals like that.

“Luckily we have a game on Tuesday and on Saturday, two home games, and if we can get six points from them, it will be a bit of comeback.”

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