Archived News from October 2004
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PREVIEWS AND TEAM NEWS
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According to the FL web site, Adam Murray will be serving his one match suspension when we play Swansea next Friday evening.
----------- MURRAY: STAY ON THE BALL Evening Post, 01 October 2004 Adam Murray has warned against complacency when Mansfield return to League Two action against Lincoln City tomorrow. The Red Imps have managed just two wins so far this season, while Stags are unbeaten in five league games and have won their last four matches at Field Mill. For a second weekend running, Mansfield can go top if they win, but Murray expects a battle. "It will be another tough game," said the midfielder, who hopes to start again after returning to the side at Scunthorpe. Murray is expecting a fifth successive home League Two win if Mansfield play to their strengths. "They are a hard team to play against. Like a lot of teams in this division, they'll be very direct. "If we play our own game and play the way we can and we get it down, pass it and use the pace we've got, we should get a win." Derek Asamoah, who has been troubled by a calf problem but is hoping to start, agreed. "We are always confident at home," he said. "I'm confident we can turn them over." Rhys Day expects spoiling tactics from Lincoln. "We should get a win," said the defender, who could be on the bench. Dave Artell is expected to start after missing Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy game against Darlington with a calf strain. "They're another team who will make it horrible and not let us play," Day added. "But as long as we keep to our game we'll be all right." Manager Keith Curle said: "I might get criticised for being arrogant but I go out to win every game and I think there are three points to be had." Curle wants "more of the same" from his side after a good performance at Scunthorpe and victory in Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy clash. "They are big and strong and don't mind the physical side. We'll have to match them and go toe to toe with them." Curle looks set to give on-loan defender Craig Woodman the nod for the left-back spot, although Jake Buxton has recovered from his rib injury. Woodman made an excellent impression on his Stags debut at Scunthorpe, and Curle said: "He gave a good account of himself. He is a natural defender and a good athlete." Adam Eaton (groin) looks set to be out of action for two more weeks at least and Chris Tate is still sidelined with ankle ligament damage. "Anybody who doesn't train on Friday won't get selected," added Curle, who should have most of the 11 players who were missing for the LDV Vans Trophy clash with Darlington available again. Young striker Danny Heron is on standby for a place, but assistant boss John Gannon says no new players will be added ahead of Saturday. Mansfield: (from) Pilkington, McNiven, Woodman, Artell, John-Baptiste, Curtis, Murray, Neil, Corden, Larkin, Asamoah, O'Neill, MacKenzie, Day, Buxton, White/Langford, Dimech. KEITH Curle was nominated for the League Two manager of the month award for September. The award went to Yeovil's Gary Johnson. THE draw for the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy will be made tomorrow. KEEPER BACK IN SQUAD? Evening Post, 01 October 2004 Goalkeeper Alan Marriott could return for Lincoln after an ankle injury. But striker Marcus Richardson, who was sent off in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Chester, is suspended. Either Adrian Littlejohn, who is close to a recall after a knee injury, or reserve team striker Adam Kerley looks set to replace Richardson on the bench. Lincoln (5-2-3): Marriott, Bloomer, McAuley, Morgan, Futcher, Peat, Butcher, Gavin, McCombe, Taylor-Fletcher, Green, Carruthers, Yeo, Toner, Sandwith, Kerley, Littlejohn. YOUTH TEAM GOALIE HOPE Evening Post, 01 October 2004 Mansfield Town youth visit Doncaster for a Football Alliance Youth Cup clash tomorrow. Manager Paul Holland is hoping goalkeeper Michael Langford will be available for selection. Holland found himself without a keeper for his side's trip to Chesterfield last Saturday. With regular youth stopper Langford called up for the first team after Jason White was hospitalised by a foot infection, Holland drafted in 16-year-old Clipstone Welfare reserve keeper Jordan Riley. And Riley was on the winning side as Stags ran out 4-2 winners. Danny Heron (two), Ryan Parks and Nathan Arnold were the Stags' scorers. ------------ mansfieldtown.net reports that Asamoah is doubtful for the Lincoln clash. There has been some slight but slow improvement in the injury stricken Mansfield Town side. All the players wanted to return to training today because they know the internal rule that if they are not training on Friday then they don't figure in the squad for Saturday so Thursday is a good day for them to start back Stags Boss Keith Curle told the official website on Thursday: "The injury update has been slow, but a few if not all have tried to return to training today because they know our rules about missing the Friday training session. Some however have taken the advice from Derek (French) and will be taking another twenty four hours rest and hopefully tomorrow morning they will be back in training. One doubt is Derek Asamoah but he is a quick a healer so you never know he could still figure" he said. |
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