Holdsworth slams 'weak-minded' Stags

DAVID Holdsworth branded his Mansfield Town players "weak-minded" after another desperately poor away performance at relegation-bound Northwich Victoria.

The Vics would have gone down had they not beaten the Stags and there is still massive odds against them surviving in the Blue Square Premier.

But they comfortably beat Mansfield in Cheshire to inflict a fifth straight away defeat on the visitors.

"It was very poor from us," said Holdsworth. "All I can do is apologise to the fans for that performance because it was not good enough.

"It seems to be that there is a weak mentality about some of the players. We haven't got enough leaders away from home.

"They have shown they have ability. When we are at home, we get the ball out wide and penetrate.

"But we can't just turn up for 50% of our matches.

"You can't have only one or two leaders, you have to have eight or nine and that is the same whether you are in the Premier League or this league.

"I need the players to have ability and desire. I was expecting a few home truths in the dressing room, but they just sat there."

Goals in either half from Simon Grand and Lee Elam sealed Mansfield's fate.

Holdsworth said: "I'm not naming individuals, but we only have a couple who come through that with any credit. I can't defend the players and I won't.

"It is not down to a lack of effort – there was effort but it was misguided. The players have to take responsibility."

Holdsworth reaffirmed his troops will have to be a whole lot better at Woking if they want to be in the frame at Field Mill next season.

"I can't keep shouting at them, but the decisions I have to make are becoming increasingly obvious and easy," he said.

"If anyone is not up for the fight then they can come and see me and they can go on their way.

"There are 20 players out of contract and after that you would have to say there will be 20 places to fill.

"The players have to show what they can do but they only have three more games to do that."

The Mansfield boss was pleased to hand a first team debut to 17-year-old striker Conor Higginson, from Ollerton, but wished the "great lad" could have had a winning match for his debut.