Boss Curle 'doesn't listen' to other managers after Coughlan's 'rugby' comments

Curle not fazed by criticism from Mansfield boss
Graham Coughlan, during his time in charge of Bristol Rovers, and Keith CurleGraham Coughlan, during his time in charge of Bristol Rovers, and Keith Curle
Graham Coughlan, during his time in charge of Bristol Rovers, and Keith Curle

Keith Curle will not be drawn into a war of words with Graham Coughlan following the Mansfield manager's post-match comments after Saturday's game at the PTS Stadium.

Despite winning 2-1, the Stags boss launched a remarkable outburst at Northampton's style of play and was so unimpressed that he said he couldn't even 'enjoy' his side's first away win in over two months.

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"I didn't think that was football today to be honest, it was rugby and I didn't enjoy it," said Coughlan during his post-match interview. "It's not what the game is about."

The former Bristol Rovers manager went on to say that he felt he wasn't able to fully prepare to face Northampton's style of play because 'you would have blood all over the training ground' if they did.

Coughlan's comments caused a degree of bewilderment among Cobblers fans, particularly given their side had competed well with 10 men for 80 minutes following Sam Hoskins' early red card.

A couple of days on though and Curle refused to be drawn on Coughlan's comments, instead taking a more diplomatic approach.

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"I don't listen to what other managers have to say, it's as simple as that," said the Town boss.

"Every manager has got their opinion and they're entitled to that opinion.

"They're able to voice what their thoughts are and good luck to them."

Curle did, however, reiterate his view that Cobblers were arguably the better team on Saturday, even with their numerical disadvantage.

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"You can't plan for such an early red card but it's history now and we can take the positives out of it because for that 70-80 minutes it didn't look like we were a man down," he said.

"That was very pleasing and we had the effort and the commitment to get about the pitch and cover every blade of grass and do more than the opposition.

"You know, at times, you'll be stretched with 10 men but I didn't think it looked like they had an extra man and that's pleasing for us."