Archived News from August 2005
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BUXTON ON STANDBY
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JAKE LOOKS TO PLUG THE GAP
Evening Post, 12 August 2005 Mansfield Town player-manager Carlton Palmer and defender Jon-Olav Hjelde are injury doubts as Stags aim for their first win of the season. Palmer, who missed Tuesday's defeat against Rushden & Diamonds, is recovering from a groin problem - and he looks likely to be ruled out again. Hjelde, who was substituted at half-time on Tuesday with a dead leg, is also struggling to be fit. And Rhys Day has been having treatment for a bruised foot. With fellow centre-back Alex John-Baptiste sitting out the final game of his three-match suspension and Des Walker still out of action, Jake Buxton - who replaced Hjelde against Rushden - could earn his first start of the season tomorrow. Palmer believes his side should be going into tomorrow's game against Torquay protecting an unbeaten start to the campaign. Instead they have just one point after the 2-2 draw at his former club Stockport and Tuesday's defeat. The Stags boss felt Mansfield did more than enough to beat Rushden. "We totally dominated the game," he said. "We had 15 attempts on goal, but nothing broke for us all night and we ended up conceding a goal from a set piece. We had enough chances to win three games. "It was a good performance from us with lots of effort and endeavour. We have a lot of young players here and I have told them not to lose heart and keep doing the right things. "It is disappointing we only have one point from our first two games, having played as well as we have done, but the fans have to be patient." Mansfield striker Mark Birchall has been called up to the Wales under-21 squad to face Malta in Llanelli on August 16. TORQUAY APPEAR TO BE GOAL-STARVED Evening Post, 12 August 2005 Like Mansfield, Torquay drew their opening game and lost their second game. They were held 0-0 at home by Notts County on Saturday, and lost 1-0 at Oxford United on Tuesday. Grenada international winger Tony Bedeau is suspended after he was sent off against Notts, while striker Leon Constantine is ruled out after an injury at Oxford. Martin Phillips and Morike Sako have long-term injuries. Alan Connell is likely to come in for Constantine, with Nick Skinner in the squad. ------------ Buxton on standby to face Gulls CHAD website, 11 Aug 05 JAKE Buxton is on stand-by for Mansfield Town as they hope for third time lucky at home to Torquay United on Saturday (3pm). Rhys Day (bruised foot) and Jon Olav Hjedle (dead leg) are both on the treatment table following the midweek defeat by Rushden and Diamonds which left the club with only one point from two games. With Alex John-Baptiste serving the last of his three game ban and player-manager Carlton Palmer out with a groin strain, Buxton is ready to slot into the heart of defence if either of them don't make it. Palmer said: "Even though we have only taken one point from our first two games, the dressing room is still bubbling. "They know we have not got what we've deserved. Hard work pays off in the end. If we hadn't played well I would be worried. But we know that if we carry on playing as well as we have, we will win football matches. "In open play we have defended well. All three goals conceded have come from set pieces. So that's not bad luck - that is down to a lack of discipline and players not doing their jobs. "If we can eradicate that and get a break at the other end we will be fine." He added: "We watched Torquay on Wednesday nighy and they will come here, like Rushden did, determined not to lose. "Fans and players must stay patient. Oxford are a big, strong, powerful side but it still took them a long time to break Torquay down. Even then Torquay almost did them on the break. "This is a big game for us. We have young players who now need a win to give them a boost. The longer we go without the win, the edgier players will become which is counter-productive. "Hopefully we can get multi balls all round the ground on Saturday to keep up the tempo as Rushden took every chance to slow things down in midweek." |
Latest | August 2005