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Archived News from August 2004

KIDDIE PREVIEWS / DAY: I NEED TO PLAY
20th August 2004 14:35


RHYS: I NEED TO PLAY
Evening Post, 20 August 2004

Rhys Day today admitted he could be forced to reassess his future as a Mansfield Town player if he remains stuck on the bench, insisting: "I need to be playing."

The popular centre back is expecting to be left out of the side once more tomorrow against Kidderminster.

The former Welsh Under-21 skipper has not started any of Stags' three opening matches.

"If there is a run of five, six, or seven games when I'm not playing, I will have to look at my options," he said.

"It's not the end of the world, but I'm very disappointed," he admitted. "I'm a professional sportsman and I want to do well.

"I know I'll get my chance through injuries or suspensions or if someone doesn't do well.

"I've got a manager who trusts in me and has got faith in me and knows I will do a job for him.

"So I've just got to wait for my chance, keep my head up and work harder in training."

Day confronted Stags boss Keith Curle after he was left out of the starting line-up at Chester on Saturday, with the manager again opting for Dave Artell and Alex John-Baptiste at the back.

"I didn't say anything to the manager after the first two selections," he said. "But when I wasn't in the third - and we'd lost the first two - I was very disappointed.

"He told me his reasons for going with Dave and Alex - and in all fairness to them they were outstanding on Saturday.

"There was a bit of talk about me leaving in the summer.

"But the manager assured me that the reason I would be behind Dave and Alex was because they'd been doing well in pre-season.

"Dave has been playing well, but I know when I get my chance, I'll be good enough to stay in there."

Curle added: "Dave Artell has earned the right to be in the side at the moment. He got into the team and has taken his opportunity.

"Rhys must do the same when his chance comes. He has been fantastic about it and knows he is 10 days behind Dave in fitness terms.

"We have good competition for places with everyone breathing down each other's necks and you have to get in and give a performance that warrants you staying in the team."

STAGS (from): Pilkington, McNiven, Buxton, Artell, John- Baptiste, Corden, MacKenzie, Murray, Curtis, Larkin, Asam oah, O'Neill, Tate, Williamson, Day, White (k), Neil, Eaton, Dimech.

MURRAY CAN HIT OLD CLUB
Evening Post

Stags boss Keith Curle won't be surprised if Adam Murray rises to the occasion against former club Kidderminster Harriers at Field Mill tomorrow.

Ex-aggborough stars Murray, Colin Larkin and Neil MacKenzie are all expected to line up against Harriers and Curle said: "I am sure Adam Murray is looking forward to a game against his old club.

"But we need to get them on the back foot early on and I know we will score goals.

"They have had a good start and have been playing an unusual formation - kind of a 4-2-1-3 - getting everyone back behind the ball when they are defending."

Kidderminster could include former Swansea and Wycombe winger Stuart Roberts in their squad following a spell on trial.

Ex-Stags striker Iyesden Christie is unlikely to feature as he is still recovering from a broken foot.

Squad: Danby, Lewis (k), Jenkins, Burton, Viveash, Hatswell, Mellon, Keates, Advice- Desruisseaux, Christiansen, Foster, Rickards, Appleby, Gleeson, Russell, McHale, Roberts.

YOUNG STAGS FACE THE PORT VALE
Evening Post
Mansfield Town's youth team face Port Vale tomorrow at Forest Town (11am).

Paul Holland's team began the new North Central Conference season with a 2-1 defeat against Macclesfield, with Nathan Arnold on target.

Stags youth will also play Notts County, Chesterfield, Rotherham United, Shrewsbury and Wrexham in the North Central Conference this season.
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Stags' sights on Harriers
CHAD website
STAGS are lining up a cautious Kidderminster Harriers in their sights for Saturday.
Jan Molby's men arrive at Field Mill with five points from three games, having scored just once and conceded none.
But Mansfield manager Keith Curle said: "Straight from the whistle at 3pm we will hit them with a whirlwind.
"They like to defend deep, frustrate and get the opposing fans on their team's backs.
"But if we can score against them as early as possible then they would find it very hard to get on the front foot."
Stags have no injury worries, although defender Adam Eaton is still only 90-95 per cent fit.
One player who will not be involved is Marvin Robinson.
The on-trial striker is still well short of the fitness levels required and has been told there is nothing on offer for him, although he is welcome to continue to train with the Stags to regain that fitness.
"Marvin knows he is four or five weeks behind everyone on fitness," said Curle. "He didn't have the best of pre-seasons and then got injured.
"Credit to him, he is working very hard. But I have told him that at the moment we are not able to offer him a contract."
Lee Williamson returns from a one-game suspension for the home side.
On-loan midfielder Simon Brown will miss the game for Kidderminsster through suspension after being sent off last Saturday.
But the Harriers hope French striker Youssou Diop will haave shaken off a hamstring injury.

 

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