Archived News from April 2004
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ADAM BARRETT INTERVIEW
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ADAM'S MANSFIELD WARNING
Bristol Evening Post, 10 April 2004 Bristol Rovers skipper Adam Barrett today warned Mansfield to expect no favours when he returns to his old club for the first time on Monday. The Pirates will be looking to avenge September's comprehensive 3-1 defeat at the Memorial Stadium when they visit Field Mill to complete a hectic Easter programme that started with today's home clash against leaders Doncaster. And Barrett, who helped the Stags to promotion from Division Three two seasons ago, would like nothing better than to put one over on his old mates. But he warned: "I think they are one of the best teams we have played this season, so it's going to be tough. "They knock the ball around well, have a good midfield and have scored an awful lot of goals. "I'm looking forward to it personally because it will be the first time I have been back since I left in 2002, but the main thing is we can go there confident after our recent run and improved form. "Mansfield know they are probably going to have to win the game to make sure they stay in touch with the play-offs, so they will have to come at us. The pressure is going to be more on them than us." Centre-back Barrett, who made 37 League appearances during his Field Mill stint, added: "There are still quite a few lads there I know - Liam Lawrence, Wayne Corden, Bobby Hassell, keeper Kevin Pilkington and striker Andy White. I didn't want them to go down last season, but I'd much rather it was us up the top end of the table than them this time. "I'm not really bothered about whether they go back up or not. The only thing that matters on Monday is we get another result to help us get safe. "I had a great time at Mansfield, but it's a while ago now and there will be no sentiment there from me on Monday." Rovers were reconciled to again being without top scorer Paul Tait for today's clash with Doncaster. The striker has still not recovered from an ankle problem, although he could be in contention for the Mansfield game. The Pirates were expected to name an unchanged side for today's game, where a bumper crowd was expected. Midfielder Graham Hyde was hoping for a place on the bench after completing a two-match ban. |
Latest | April 2004