Archived News from October 2006
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SHIRTLIFF LINKED WITH SHEFF WED JOB
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BBC Nottingham online, Updated 16.07pm, 20.10.06
The Mansfield Town goalkeeper Carl Muggleton has praised the contribution of the man he's replaced in the Stags first team. Muggleton was back in the side for last week's trip to Boston, with Jason White forced to drop down to the substitutes bench. The experienced Muggleton seems set to continue in goal for tomorrow's home game against Wrexham at Field Mill, but he has words of great encouragement for White. The Stags have winger Matt Hamshaw back from suspension, but are expected to be without striker Micky Boulding again... despite his return to training this week. Meanwhile, the Mansfield manager Peter Shirtliff is one of the names being linked with the vacant managers job at Sheffield Wednesday. Shirtliff, along with former Forest manager Gary Megson, could be in the running to succeed Paul Sturrock as boss at Hillsborough. The former Notts defender Nigel Worthington has ruled himself out of the running. ----------- STAGS DEFENDER SAYS CONSISTENCY IS KEY TO SUCCESS Evening Post, 20 October 2006 Playing well from 90 minutes - not just in patches - is the key to Mansfield climbing League Two, according to Alex John-Baptiste. The central defender feels Mansfield, at their best, are capable of beating any side in the division but he reckons the Stags are only producing that form in flashes. "We need to play at a high tempo throughout our games, not just in spells of it," said the 20-year-old. "Against Notts County we played well for the first 50-odd minutes, and we played well in the second half against Boston. "I don't think there is anyone who can live with us when we play a fast game and we need to start doing that for the whole 90 minutes." While many in the Mansfield camp were content with a point at Boston, John-Baptiste felt it was a missed opportunity. With the Pilgrims beset by injuries and the Stags dominating the latter stages, he was disappointed they did not go on to record a first league away victory of the season. John-Baptiste said: "I think when you are 1-0 down away from home you have to be happy if you come back and get a draw. "But personally I thought it was two points lost. I didn't think much to Boston. They only had the one chance and scored from it. "It was still good to get a point, though, and we have to build on the draw when Wrexham come here." Mansfield have only kept one clean sheet in league competition this season, and John-Baptiste admits that is a concern. But he insists the players are working hard to eliminates the errors. "It is a bit of a worry that we have had only one clean sheet because in the tight games we need to be more solid at the back. "I do think we are getting better as a unit, though, and it is only a matter of time before we start shutting teams out." Boss Peter Shirtliff has failed to bring in the two players he had hoped to this week - but added that the deals were not dead. "There is a good chance that they will come in next week," he said. "I just think it's the right time to freshen things up and get a bit more competition in, which will be good for the squad." Michael Boulding did not train yesterday and has only a slight chance of being fit to play. Matt Hamshaw is set for a recall after returning following his suspension. ------------- MUGGLETON BACKS DROPPED WHITE TO BOUNCE BACK Evening Post, 21 October 2006 CARL Muggleton has backed fellow goalkeeper Jason White to come back better than ever - despite taking his place in the Mansfield side. White was dropped for the trip to Boston after shaky displays at Walsall and at home to Notts County. But although happy to reclaim a starting berth, Leicester-born veteran Muggleton has only sympathy for his young colleague. And he firmly believes that White will learn from the experience and become and better player for it. "It is nice to get back in the side and get back playing league football again, but it's a shame for Whitey at the same time," said Muggleton. "I want to play if I can, but part of the thing about coming here was to help Whitey along as well. "I know what it is like on the other side of things when you are not playing and there is not many reserve games, but you are training hard. "You have to keep yourself going and that can be difficult at times. "But I'm sure he will come back in the future stronger and a better goalkeeper for it." Muggleton says he and White have struck up a good day-to-day relationship as they have trained together at Mansfield. And the 38-year-old knows better than most that is beneficial for keepers to be on good terms - even if they are in competition for a first-team place. Muggleton said: "People in the football world go on about a goalkeepers' union and you do tend to have a bit of an affinity with the other keeper at the club. "Keepers have a respect for other keepers because they know what a tough job it can be at times. "They know that a keeper is the last line of defence and if you make a mistake nine times out of ten it is going to result in a goal. What is important is how people bounce back from those mistakes and goalkeepers try to help each other along in those situations." |
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