Archived News from January 2004
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PREVIEWS AND TEAM NEWS
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STAGS PLANNING AN AWAY-DAY BREAK
Evening Post Assistant manager John Gannon believes Mansfield Town's ability to attack quickly is the key to their success away from home this season. And Gannon believes the Stags can achieve another vital three points tomorrow by hitting opponents Leyton Orient on the break. Mansfield have not lost away from Field Mill since October 21 when they went down 1-0 at Torquay. But at home they have had some tough matches with the opposition's game plan being to put men behind the ball. But with Orient coming back from a 5-0 thrashing at Doncaster last Saturday, they will be looking to return to winning ways as soon as possible and could leave themselves wide open. And Gannon believes Mansfield's confident, attacking style of football will shine through away from home, with the likes of Orient not being so defensive-minded. He said: "We have done ever so well on our travels this season and we know we can go away from home and hit teams on the break. That is what we will go out to do against Orient. "I think at home the crowd is expectant and other teams come and try to nullify things. Away from home we get a little bit more room and we can sit back a little and attack quickly on the break. We have caused problems for lots of teams by doing that. "We will be looking to do the same against Orient and we are confident that we can get another result away from home." The Stags are without centre-half Luke Dimech and full-back Jamie Clarke through suspension after they were both sent off in the FA Cup clash with Burnley earlier this month. Tony Vaughan is still struggling with an ankle injury and is still a doubt. If he is not fit, Jake Buxton is expected to play at left-back. Dave Artell will partner Rhys Day in the centre of defence. Meanwhile, Mansfield will be without young strikers Chris Beardsley and Craig Mitchell as they have both been sent out on loan for a month. It means Iyseden Christie, Junior Mendes and Colin Larkin will continue to battle it out for the two front places. Beardsley, 19, has gone to Unibond outfit Worksop Town while Mitchell, 18, has gone to Conference side Northwich Victoria. Stags (probable): Pilkington, Hassell, Buxton, Artell, Day, Curtis, Williamson, Lawrence, Corden, Mendes, Christie. Subs: J White, T Curle, Larkin, Disley, John-Baptiste ------------- Ananova: Preview: Leyton Orient v Mansfield John Mackie is expected to make his Leyton Orient debut against Mansfield after joining the club from Reading. Mackie signed a two-and-a-half year deal this week and should come straight into the heart of defence. Orient also hope to have Charlton winger Lloyd Sam in the squad if he completes a one-month loan switch in time. But Matt Lockwood is ruled out with a broken toe, while Chris Tate remains doubtful with a bruised leg. Tom Newey is back from a one-match ban, and Justin Miller has recovered from an ankle injury. A double suspension blow will force Mansfield manager Keith Curle into a squad reshuffle with Luke Dimech serving a one-game ban, while Jamie Clarke starts a three-game ban. Tony Vaughan remains doubtful with an ankle knock and Neil MacKenzie (hand) is also unlikely to feature despite the midfielder having returned to full training following a domestic accident. |
Latest | January 2004