RHYS HAILS STEVE – AND SETS SIGHTS ON STEP UP

RHYS Bennett has thanked former Mansfield boss Steve Evans for playing a pivotal role in his career – but says the Stags must now go on to win promotion without him. Evans stunned the League Two promotion-chasers by resigning last Tuesday and was then appointed manager of third tier Peterborough the following day. Bennett, 26, who played every minute of every game last season, told The FLP: “I have to give Steve a lot of credit. When I signed, it was as a right-back, but we had four injuries at centre-half in his first game and I played there. “He transformed me into a centre-back. It’s testament to him to recognise my best position as a player and have faith in me. “I grew up in academy football predominantly as a centre-half, but I had the physical and technical attributes to play in midfield. I played as a holding midfielder and at right-back for three or four years, but I thought centre-half was my best position and he recognised that.” And Bennett, below, has accepted Evans’ decision to leave with good grace. “As a playing staff we were disappointed,” admitted the former Rochdale man. “We were second in the form table, but you can’t begrudge someone taking a job in a higher division. “We can’t be too bitter about it. We are all trying to get to the top and would do the same in his shoes.” Mansfield headed into the weekend in fifth place in the table, just two points off the automatic promotion positions. It means there is all to play for and Bennett doesn’t want anyone to take their eye off the ball. Indeed, the club certainly acted swiftly to fill the void left by Evans’ departure. The Stags appointed David Flitcroft, who had been in charge at fellow League Two promotion-chasers Swindon, as their new boss on Thursday. “We’ve got eight weeks left and we’ve been together as a squad since preseason,” said the 6ft 3ins defender, who started out at Bolton. “We have come this far – and we have to finish it off. The collective mood is that we are so close and we have to get over the line for ourselves and for the football club. “Managers come and go, but the backroom staff and fans deserve promotion. We have to try our best to achieve it.” Bennett is out of contract this summer, but insists his focus is clear. “I want to help the team and the main goal is to get promotion. What will be, will be in the future. I can’t focus too much on off-the-field stuff, I have to control the controllables. The one thing I can concentrate on is trying to get Mansfield promoted.”