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Archived News from November 2004

CURLE AND HORTON REACTION
7th November 2004 10:52


Keith Curle interview from Radio Nottingham.

Transcribed by Martin Shaw

The first half was a non-starter from my point of view. The players didn't move the ball quickly enough, we didn't play at the right tempo, we didn't play with that urgency in our play. It looked as if we were feeling sorry for ourselves. The second half was a good response but goals change games though. The players expected a reaction from themselves but they need to make it happen themselves. One goal in 5 games is worrying. Not only the strikers, but as a team, we are not scoring goals. We are creating half chances ... I need to get a person in who thrives on half chances.

Joe O'Neill's loan has been terminated, he's been here 3 months and we wish him well in the remainder of his career. Guy's with us until after the FA Cup game but unfortunately he can't play in the FA Cup game, so we won't be extending the loan of Guy Ipoua either.

We've been looking at strikers for the last two months. We got a list of about 45 names of strikers. It's not just about whether they are good enough players but we have to find out about financially, location wise, do players want to play for this club.

[Asked the question whether it is strikers he is looking at predominantly, Curle replied]: strikers, midfield, defenders ...
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CURLE BLASTS UNACCEPTABLE STAGS
Evening Post website
Mansfield manager Keith Curle described the Stags performance as "unacceptable" after they lost to Macclesfield for the second time in five days.


Curle's side were beaten 4-0 by the Silkmen in the LDV Vans Trophy in midweek and were sunk by Mike Sheron's header at Field Mill.

Curle said: "Saying we were poor in the first half is being polite. Our performance was totally unacceptable.

"Players were tentative and lacked urgency and we did not play at the right tempo or with enough passion.

"You can't give any side a 1-0 start in this league and, although responding magnificently in the second half, we did not get the break we needed.

"Goals win games and we did not look enough of a threat in the right areas. Players did not sparkle like they can and we looked a yard short.

"We played with more urgency in the second half and Kevin Pilkington was a spectator. But give credit to Macclesfield. They came here and gave a doggies performance and narrowed our chances down to just a couple of balls flashing across their box.

"I can get my players to believe that what we are doing is right. But I can't give them confidence when they are out there. We need to get a run of results behind us and November is a big month for us."

Macclesfield boss Brian Horton praised his team's reaction to going ahead just before the interval.

He said: "I thought that was a thoroughly professional performance and I was delighted. It was a good win against a good side.

"We had to stick in there in the second half. We had to stand our ground and weather it a bit. But our system worked well and we always looked dangerous on the break.

"We beat Mansfield in midweek when they did not put a full side out. But winning games and scoring goals are good habits to get into and now we have to keep our feet on the ground for the FA Cup game with Alfreton Town."
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CHAD website
Stags boss Keith Curle said: "Saying we were poor in the first half is being polite. Our performance was just totally unacceptable.
"Players looked tentative and lacked urgency. We didn't play at the right tempo or with enough passion.
"Goals win games and we didn't look enough of a threat in the right areas.
"Players didn't sparkle like they can and we looked a yard short.
We played with much more urgency in the second half and Kevin Pilkington was a spectator. But give credit to Macclesfield. They came here and gave a dogged performance and narrowed our chances down to just a couple of balls flashing across their box.
"We need to get a run of results behind us and November is a big month for us.
"I can get my players to believe that what we are doing is right. But I can't give them confidence when they are out there.
"You can't give any side a 1-0 start in this league and, although we responded magnificently in the second half, we didn't get the break we needed."

Macclesfield boss Brian Horton said afterwards: "I thought that was a thoroughly professional performance and I was delighted.
"It was a good win against a good side.
"We had to stick in there in the second half. We had to stand our ground and weather it a bit.
"Our system worked well and we always looked dangerous on the break.
"The lads worked very, very hard and we looked a good, solid unit.
"Our front three were asked to defend when we didn't have the ball, which they did, and Mike Sheron scored an excellent goal for us.
"We beat Mansfield in midweek when they didn't put a full side out. But winning games and scoring goals are good habits to get into.
"Now we have to keep our feet on the ground for the FA Cup game next week. We do have a few bumps and bruises which you will get after defending like that."

 

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