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Archived News from September 2007

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14th September 2007 23:04


CHAD VIDEO: Captain previews big derby,
video clip here
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Dearden calls for respect between rivals
CHAD.co.uk, 14 Sep 2007
Mansfield Town manager Billy Dearden has called on supporters to enjoy the derby game on Saturday - but to be on their best behaviour.
As arch-rivals Stags and Chesterfield prepare to lock swords for the first time in five seasons, Dearden said: "Supporters love these games and I love all the banter – as long as there isn't any trouble.

"That's what upsets me. Why can't people just go and enjoy the game and respect each other?

"I live in Chesterfield and get some stick which is fine and I will go out in Chesterfield win, lose or draw. I have a lot of respect for both clubs but on Saturday all I want to do is put one over them.

"But I know that with any football club you always get one or two idiots who want to spoil other people's day out.

"Both teams want to go out there and put on a good game of football for the crowd. So I hope everyone respects that, creates a good atmosphere and we have a good game with no problems. Let's hope it works out that way and we can get the three points."

He added: "I have played in derby matches myself and you have to try not to get carried away by them.

"Players have to concentrate on the football. If my players do that and give 100 per cent like they have against Stockport and Peterborough I can see us having a good result.

"Anything less and that won't be good enough against Chesterfield.

"I know it's a derby but you can't just go out there all blood and thunder. Whichever side is the calmest on the day will get the result.

"In spells last weekend against Peterborough I thought we played the best we have all season – and that includes the first half against Stockport here.

"Unfortunately we are conceding too many goals just now and we have to put that right on Saturday.

"The fans can play a tremendous part. They have to get behind us and act as the 12th man so we can get a result for them."


Muggleton hoping to face old club on derby day
CHAD.co.uk, 14 Sep 2007
Carl Muggleton is hoping to be between the posts for Stags when they take on his former club Chesterfield on Saturday.
"Obviously the manager hasn't named the side yet but I would hope I am playing," he said.

"You keep your contract going hoping to play. Obviously I want to help Jason White along but it is always nice to get a few games in as well and it would be nice to play against the club that gave me my first taste of League football.

"If we can beat them then I will certainly be celebrating. You get players who score against their old club and won't celebrate.

"But I believe in giving 100 per cent for the club you have signed for and I want to go out there and win – and I will certainly celebrate if we do.

"I am still in touch with some of the people at Chesterfield but I have not spoken to anyone this last week or two."

Muggleton added: "This local derby is as passionate as any in the country. People talk about Liverpool v Everton or the Manchester derby. They are all about local clubs and passionate local people.

"But the people around here are just as passionate about this one and want to win it.

"When we get out of our cars on Saturday you can bet there will be fans there telling us they expect us to win it which puts the pressure on a bit.

"But we can handle that pressure and we are good enough to get a result.

"The last times the clubs met was at Chesterfield and I played I the game at Field Mil but not the one at Chesterfield.

"They are good, competitive games with a high tempo and great games to be involved in."

The game is all-ticket and none will be available on the day. Kick-off is high noon.


Hopes fading for Alex
CHAD.co.uk, 13 Sep 2007
DESPITE his month-long lay-off, it now seems unlikely defender Alex John-Baptiste will be fit for Saturday.
There is still a glimmer of a chance for him, but his back strain plagued him once again after training on Tuesday and he has been told rest is the only cure.

"I don't really class this as an injury," he said. "People pull hamstrings or get knocks or whatever but this is just over-use and I am not happy with it.

"I am resting it again and we will have to see how it goes.

"But I will not be happy watching the game from the stand on Saturday. I am a bad supporter – I hate watching football.

"From the stand you are the best player in the world and if I am sat up there on Saturday you will see me jumping up and down!"

He added: "It would have been my first local derby to play in. As a Mansfield player you can't wait to play against Chesterfield, the same as the fans, so it's gut-wrenching to miss out.

"But if I am not playing I hope we get three points and I will be back and playing when we face them again on 22nd December.

"I was at Chesterfield when we won there last time. Liam (Lawrence) scored in the last minute and everyone was going mad. It was a fantastic occasion.

"But I also watched them beat us here so I know the other side of the coin too.

"On our day we can beat anyone in this league but we have just been blighted by inconsistency.

"Saturday is a massive game for us and I think we need the points more than Chesterfield do."


McAliskey urged to keep goals run going
CHAD.co.uk, 13 Sep 2007
Stags boss Billy Dearden has urged giant striker John McAliskey to build on his two goals in two games against Chesterfield on Saturday.
"He has got to keep that going now," he said.

"John started the season well down at Brentford, then had a couple of dodgy games or whatever but then came back very strong.

"If he can carry on his form from the last two games he will score goals. He has to believe he will score goals.

"But he won't score as many as he could if he doesn't work harder and harder.

"He probably takes one or two more touches then he should which he knows and is working on.

"And he needs to get in the box more – that's where I want him."



'IT'S THE WAY WE PLAY' - DEARDEN
Billy Dearden insists Mansfield will not change their positive approach - despite a poor defensive record so far this season.
Evening Post

BAP SET TO MISS BIG DERBY CLASH
Influential Mansfield defender Alex John-Baptiste today admitted he is fighting a losing battle to be fit for Saturday's big derby with Chesterfield.
Evening Post


Bap back for derby battle?
CHAD website, 11Sep07
MANSFIELD Town are hoping Alex John-Baptiste can return to help plug their leaking defence when arch-rivals Chesterfield visit Field Mill for the all-ticket clash on Saturday (noon kick-off).
John-Baptiste has missed four successive games with a back strain.

But it was a welcome sight when he rejoined training this morning (Tuesday) after the squad took Monday off following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Peterborough United.

"We will just have to see how Alex goes and will make a decision later in the week," said manager Billy Dearden.

At least midfielder Stephen Dawson had no reaction to his hamstring strain after making a sooner-than-expected return to the side at Posh which was more good news for Dearden.

Saturday's game is one Stags fans have been looking forward all summer.

But Dearden warned his side to try to play their football and not get caught up in the emotion of the day.

"We mustn't get tangled up in a derby game," he said.

"It is always a fiery afternoon, but we must have the confidence to get the ball down and play.

"I saw Chesterfield beat Bury comfortably on Friday and they are near the top of the charts just now.

"Everything is going for them. But we have to got to be right and make our home advantage count.

"We have to be right at the back when we are attacking. We have got a lot of work to do before Saturday. It will soon come round.
He added: "It will be nice to see Kevin Gray again as I worked with him when he was here.

"And we know we have to concentrate hard on Fletcher and Lester up front for them as they are very dangerous.

"We have to be confident and play as we did at Peterborough.
"We are looking forward to a very good derby.

"Supporters will be against each other which is right for a derby match. Everyone wants to win it and we know we are capable of doing that."

Stags have a narrow overall edge in the derbies, winning 26 to Chesterfield's 25 with 16 drawn.

The last time they met was in 2002/03 when Stags avenged a 2-0 home defeat with a 2-1 victory at Saltergate.

But Chesterfield have certainly had the upper hand in their last 10 encounters, all since 1993, with Stags winning only two of them and Chesterfield enjoying a Play-offs semi-final victory over Stags over two legs in 1994/95.

Apart from a Carling Cup exit at Sheffield United, Chesterfield are unbeaten this season with former Forest star Jack Lester in hot form with five goals.

The Field Mill ticket office will be open from 7pm on Wednesday for Stags fans to fill in their ticket forms for the Chesterfield match, and collect their ticket shortly after.
And the club's X bar (which is situated at the rear of the West Stand and beer is £2 a pint) will also be open from 7pm where supporters can watch England's Euro 2008 qualifying match against Russia.

Home supporters can fill in their ticket form prior/during the first half and collect them at the half time interval of the England match.

Home supporters are reminded tickets must be pre-purchased, and no sales will be made on the day.


Warning to football fans ahead of derby
CHAD website, 11Sep07
By Jonathan Schofield
POLICE chiefs have this week warned Stags' fans they will not tolerate any disorder in the build-up to Saturday's local derby with Chesterfield.
Officers in Nottinghamshire say they will be working closely with pubs and bars in order to monitor the behaviour of both Mansfield Town and Chesterfield fans.

The match kicks off at midday at Field Mill and Chesterfield fans are being told not to travel to the game without a ticket – as the allocation for away supporters has already sold out.

Measures have been put in place to prevent Chesterfield supporters buying tickets in the home stands, and any away fans that are spotted in Mansfield Town areas will be ejected from the ground.

Said match day commander, Chief Insp Mark Holland: "I would advise Chesterfield fans who haven't already got a ticket to simply not bother travelling to the game, as they won't be able to get into the ground.

"If anyone does travel without a ticket, we will take that as an inference that they are there to cause trouble.

"There will be a heavy police presence to allow those Chesterfield fans with tickets to travel to and from the ground in a safe and pleasant environment and to enjoy the match.

"We will be monitoring the behaviour of both sets of fans before, during and after the game, and will not tolerate any disorder."

 

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