NHLRecap
Pens' Crosby: 'Urgency is heightened' down 0-2
Crosby emphasizes urgency for Penguins as they face 0-2 deficit against Flyers.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Trust from boss Byfield has given Hancock 'freedom'
TL;DR
Walsall defender Mason Hancock credits interim coach Darren Byfield for boosting his confidence and performance since March. Hancock scored his first goals for the club in a recent match against Barrow.
Key points
- Mason Hancock is a defender for Walsall.
- Darren Byfield is the interim head coach.
- Hancock recovered from knee surgery earlier this year.
- He scored his first goals for Walsall recently.
- Hancock has made eight consecutive appearances.
Mentioned in this story
Darren Byfield
WalsallMason Hancock
Walsall defender Mason Hancock said he "can't put into words" the positive effect interim head coach Darren Byfield has had on his game and confidence since he took over at the League Two club in early March.
Hancock has been an ever-present under Byfield having recovered from five months out following knee surgery at the start of the year.
He scored his first goals for the Saddlers on Saturday in the 3-1 win at Barrow in his eighth consecutive appearance.
"It's probably worked out in my favour all the change in the club," Hancock told BBC Radio WM. "I'm getting sharper and slowly building towards this moment - this is what it's all about when you're in a gym working hard."
- Walsall's Hancock says play-off race wide open
- Changing to chase play-offs cost Walsall - Byfield
- Walsall appoint Mairs as head of football
- 'More has to be done to tackle racism' - Byfield
Hancock has had his longest run in any first team since August 2024 and he said that much of the credit for that has to go to Byfield.
"I can't really put it into words the trust, the faith, the freedom that he's given me since the moment he came in," he said.
Q&A
How has Darren Byfield impacted Mason Hancock's performance?
Darren Byfield has positively influenced Mason Hancock's game and confidence, leading to improved performance since he took over as interim head coach.
When did Mason Hancock return from knee surgery?
Mason Hancock returned from five months out due to knee surgery at the start of the year and has been a key player under Byfield since March.
What significant achievement did Mason Hancock accomplish recently?
Mason Hancock scored his first goals for Walsall in a 3-1 victory against Barrow during his eighth consecutive appearance.
