{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from November 2004

NO ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL MONDAY, PLUS PREVIEWS
19th November 2004 16:21


Fri Nov 19
According to Mansfield 103.2, Mansfield Town have confirmed there will be no announcement on the Keith Curle situation until Monday at the earliest.

Apparently, there will be further talks between Curle, Haslam and their legal representatives on Monday after a meeting yesterday failed to produce a result.

Carlton Palmer and Paul Holland remain in caretaker charge of the team for the League Two trip to Boston.
-------
Sky:
Pilgrims boss Steve Evans expressed his delight at re-signing Clare and was pleased the striker chose Boston ahead of other clubs.
"Daryl has taken a significant pay-cut to join us and that is tremendous," Evans told the club's official website.
"The boy had a lot of choices within our league - namely the likes of Yeovil, Northampton, Darlington and Mansfield - so obviously I am pleased that he has chosen Boston United, given the stature of those clubs.
"Obviously, Carlisle and Stevenage from The Conference were keen, but realistically he was never going to join either.
------------
STALLING STAGS IN SQUAD WORRIES
MARK ROACH FINDS MANSFIELD FACING TIGHT OPTIONS AT BOSTON

Evening Post, 19 November 2004
Mansfield head to York Street with continuing squad problems as they look to return to winning ways in League Two.

On-loan left back Craig Woodman has returned to Bristol City sooner than expected - although caretaker manager Carlton Palmer has drafted in 19-year-old Jason Talbot on loan from Bolton Wanderers for an initial month.

The player has just completed three months with Derby County.

"I was disappointed Craig didn't want to play against Colchester on Saturday," said Palmer, who will again be in charge pending the results of an internal inquiry into manager Keith Curle.

"While I am in charge at this football club, I want players who want to play football.

"I offered him another month's loan on behalf of the club but he didn't want to be cup-tied so I felt he isn't the type of player I would like in my team.

"I only want people who want to play for Mansfield Town."

Centre back Rhys Day is still not fully fit and Palmer said: "He hasn't played for three weeks so it's better he gets fully fit before he comes back."

Colin Larkin and Derek Asamoah are currently the only two strikers at Field Mill - and Asamoah is ruled out after his red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Colchester.

"I've watched the video a couple of times and particularly the incident where Derek received a red card," said Palmer.

"I have seen a worse challenge from Defoe when I was covering the Everton game for the BBC.

"It was a much more malicious challenge and he didn't get sent off but with the interpretation of the rules in today's game, if you jump into a tackle you have to go.

"I felt sorry for Derek because he had a good game, he was a constant threat - although his final ball could have been a bit better.

"To be without him for three games is a massive blow to us, but that's life."

Palmer admits signing a new striker is a priority.

"I have taken a look at the recent form and had the opportunity to see the players in action," he said.

"We need to score more goals, so in my capacity as caretaker manager I would like to bring in a striker.

"It is going to be a difficult game at Boston and I have spoken to the players to get their thoughts on the way they have been playing.

"The general feeling was they haven't had the rub of the green, so I have set them a target of a minimum of four points from the next two league games.

"The lads gave a very good performance against Colchester last weekend, especially in the first half, but we were denied a penalty against the run of play.

"There were a lot of positives to come from the game and we are looking to build on that."

Palmer has just 12 outfield players available tomorrow, and could again be forced to call on at least one youth team player to make up his subs bench.

Dean Hankey and Callum Lloyd are among those who could earn places.

Loan signings remain an option, although there is a limit to the number of loans a club can use in one season.

Stags have already used Woodman, Fraser McLachlan, Joe O'Neill and Guy Ipoua as loan players this term.

Mansfield have won just one game inside 90 minutes in their last 12, but t

he side performed well against Colchester on Saturday, and Palmer is hoping for a similar effort to halt the slide.

Alex John-Baptiste looks set to captain the side again.

Mansfield: Pilkington, White, Talbot, Buxton, Dimech, Artell, John-Baptiste, Day, McLachlan, MacKenzie, Murray, Neil, Corden, Curtis, Lloyd, Hankey.

BOSTON EYE UP NEW SIGNING
Evening Post, 19 November 2004
Boston are poised to re-sign Daryl Clare after agreeing a fee with Chester for the striker.

The 26-year-old held talks with Carlisle last week, but is set to line-up against Mansfield tomorrow.

Leading scorer Andy Kirk is out with a hamstring injury, while Matt O'Halloran misses out again with an ankle injury.

Boston: Abbey, West, Beevers, Ellender, McCann, Thompson, Noble, Greaves, Thomas, Lee, Rusk, McManus, Strong, Melton, Norris.

-----------
CURLE'S SILENCE
Evening Post, 18 November 2004
Football: Keith Curle is remaining tight-lipped about his future as manager of Mansfield Town.

Stags chairman Keith Haslam says there could be an announcement about Curle's position today.

Haslam has already said Carlton Palmer would be a strong candidate to replace Curle if he decides to appoint a new manager.

But Curle, who remains suspended, has responded to speculation that he has already spoken to at least one other club about a management job.

"I haven't applied for any other jobs," said Curle, who added: "I'm not prepared to comment on rumours."
--------------
Earlier story:
Thur Nov 18
Mansfield 103.2 reports that there will be no announcement about the future of Keith Curle on Thursday.

 

Latest | November 2004