Archived News from August 2007
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DEARDEN:CROWD HAS TO BE PATIENT WITH YOUNG PLAYERS
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Stags aim to avoid history
CHAD website, By John Lomas, 22 August 2007 MANSFIELD Town head for League new boys Morecambe this Saturday (3pm) with manager Billy Dearden's harsh words ringing in their ears. After a promising first week of the season, a strangely lacklustre Stags once again flopped at home to neighbours Lincoln, crashing 3-1 on Saturday, and will have to show a big improvement if they are not to make history as the Shrimps' first League victims this weekend. Dearden admitted he may even bolster things with a new face before the Bank Holiday trip to the seaside if the right player is available. "We will put in a good week's training and hopefully get it right for Morecambe on Saturday," he said. It is only the second game of the season so there is plenty of time to put it right – and we will. "Maybe I will have to bring someone else in. I have just over a week to get a player in on a permanent deal and I will get on the phone to one or two people this week to see what is about. But I would only bring in someone who I think would benefit us." A section of home fans quickly turned against the Stags side in what was not that bad a first half on Saturday with young keeper Jason White unfairly singled out for some nasty stick. "We are a youngish team and you have got to be very careful," said Dearden. "One or two of the crowd were having a go – and quite rightly – but when it is directed at individuals it does knock your confidence a bit. "Jason is a young kid learning his trade and I saw keepers in the Premiership dropping far bigger clangers than any he has made at the weekend. "I think the crowd need to be a little more patient with the younger players. It is going to take a bit of time and I want to see them all grow up together and learn together. "Now it's up to me and Paul (Holland) to pick them up and get cracking for the weekend. This is Morecambe's first time in the lofty heights of League football in their 86-year history but, despite a splendid 2-1 away Carling Cup first round victory at Preston, which has earned them a trip to Wolves, Morecambe have not won either of their opening League games. Sammy McIlroy's men were held 0-0 at home by Barnet before losing 2-1 at Wrexham last weekend. Their defence includes former Mansfield centre half Dave Artell. However, one player who will be missing on Saturday is former Stags midfielder Fraser McLachlan who broke his leg in the win at Preston and will miss most of the season. This will be Mansfield's first ever trip to the 6,400 capacity Christie Park which will be the Shrimps' home for at least another two seasons as they make plans to move to a new multi-million pound stadium. "It will be nice to see Sammy (McIlroy) again – I haven't seen him for a while and it would be nice to take three points off him too," said Dearden. "They lost 2-1 at Wrexham but might have got a point with a chance they had in the last minute. They are back on their own ground on Saturday and it will not be easy." Stags may bring in new blood Evening Post, 22 Aug 2007 Billy Dearden may delve into the transfer market if Mansfield's current first team players do not improve quickly. The Stags boss was livid with his side following last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Lincoln after an encouraging opening day draw at Brentford. He will more than likely keep faith with his squad for Saturday's important trip to League Two newcomers Morecambe. But he hinted if he is not satisfied with things in the north-west then new blood could be on its way to Field Mill. "Whether we can put things right with what we have, or we have to bring people in, we will have to see," said Dearden. "We have another week where we can sign players permanently, but there is still the loan system we can use after that." Meanwhile, Dearden has told supporters to lay off goalkeeper Jason White, who came under fire from a section of Mansfield fans during the Lincoln game. Dearden said: "Jason is still young and learning his trade. "But there are keepers in the Premiership who are dropping bigger clangers than him. "The crowd has to be patient and encourage the younger players." Players 'must take it on chin' Evening Post, 21 Aug 2007 Jake Buxton today insisted Mansfield's players must take criticism on the chin - and learn from it. Mansfield were - by common consent - awful in losing 3-1 to Lincoln on Saturday in their first home game of the season and earned a dressing down from boss Billy Dearden. "We have to be professional enough when things are said in the dressing room to keep them in there," said Buxton. "There has been criticism, but the players concerned have to make sure they don't take it to heart. What is said is not personal, it is just as a means of trying to improve. "We all want to win and it's good the lads are upset when things go wrong because it shows it matters to us. "I can assure the fans it has hurt us and we have taken it badly. We know as a team it was an off day and we must and can be better." Stags' defence has come under fire from Dearden, but Buxton thinks the problems are more widespread. He said: "We went a goal down early on again and that has happened every time including pre-season apart from the Derby game, which is the only clean sheet we have kept. "In the first 20 minutes we need to be solid as a team. "A few of us want to get the ball down and play from the first whistle which is good, but we still need to compete. "We are leaving ourselves a little bit exposed. We are covering the width of the pitch well but there is too much space from back to front and we are not compact enough." |
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