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Archived News from February 2008

PREVIEWS PLUS JEFFERSON LOUIS INTERVIEW
1st February 2008 16:22


Mansfield v Brentford
BBC.co.uk, 1Feb08
Billy Dearden will include new signing Jefferson Louis in Mansfield's squad to face Brentford at Field Mill though the striker is likely to be on the bench.
Defenders Alex John-Baptiste (back), Martin McIntosh (calf) and Dan Martin (suspension) are all unavailable.

Striker Nathan Elder is set to make his debut for Brentford following his £35,000 move from Brighton.

Loanees Osei Sankofa, Jordan Parkes and Craig Stone will be hoping to feature but midfielder John Mousinho is out.


Brown faces one-match ban
CHAD.CO.UK, 1Feb08
STAGS striker Simon Brown will miss next weekend's trip to Wycombe.
Brown picked up a fifth booking in the midweek win at Lincoln and though eligible to play tomorrow against Brentford, will miss out on the trip to the promotion chasing Wanderers.

Serving a one-match suspension this weekend is full back Dan Martin.

Despite the heavy rain of Thursday and sleet and snow showers on Friday - together with a predicted overnight hard frost - at the moment the club has said there is no pitch inspection planned for tomorrow.


CHAD.co.uk, 31Jan08
CHAD VIDEO interview with Jefferson Louis : http://www.chad.co.uk/sportvideo/VIDEO-39Louis-is-breath-of.3731472.jp


No more new faces likely today
CHAD.co.uk, 31Jan08
BILLY Dearden said it was unlikely any more new signings would arrive today before the January transfer window closes tonight.
The Mansfield Town boss has already signed two players this week and admitted there were still irons in fires.

But he said: "I can't see anything else happening today to be fair.

"If the phone rings then something could still be done.

"But if we are happy with what we've got for the moment then there's no need to panic and bring someone in for the sake of it.

"We only have a week to wait and then you can still bring in emergency loans anyway.

"When we get everyone fit I know we have a half decent squad here."

Dearden signed Hull City midfielder Will Atkinson on a month's loan on Monday and yesterday brought in journeyman striker Jefferson Louis on a three-month deal.


Louis is breath of fresh air - Dearden
CHAD.co.uk, 31Jan08
JEFFERSON Louis has already proved a hit in the dressing room and is now hoping to do the same on the field.
The cheery 6ft 2ins target man can't wait to get started as he tries to revive his League career and Stags boss Billy Dearden admitted: "Jefferson has been a breath of fresh air in the building.

"He is a very confident lad and a good addition to the squad. He has made himself at home and the lads have taken to him.

"Jefferson is a bit of a character. He is a big target man who is good in the air and puts himself about a little bit.

"He is not slow but not lightning quick over short distances but he is a very strong player.

"He has good abilities and an eye for goal. I am looking forward to working with him.

"We will make him more than welcome and I think he will make himself very welcome!

"He is a confidence character who loves scoring goals and he is desperate to prove himself at League level.

"He had offers from non-League clubs but chose to come here. We will help him as much as we can to improve his game."

Louis will go into the 16 for Saturday's home clash with Brentford (3pm), though may have to wait for his chance to start after the side carved out a superb 2-1 away local derby win at Lincoln on Tuesday night.

Stags' other new capture Will Atkinson is the one more likely to start.

With Dan Martin suspended and also suffering with a dead leg, Dearden is likely to look to Atkinson to play on the left of midfield, though Jon D'Laryea started there on Tuesday and could still keep his shirt.

Gareth Jelleyman will probably move across to left back and, with Martin McIntosh and Alex John-Baptiste still injured, John Mullins may start at centre half and Chris Wood at right back.

The game offers yet another chance for Stags to record their first back to back wins of the season.

"The season doesn't rest on one game but this is a massive game for us," said Dearden.

"Brentford come here on a bit of a high as they are on a run that has pulled them away from the bottom which we have to do.

"We have just won three away but lost three at home, though they were not bad performances against Darlington and Middlesbrough.

"We need to bring our away form into our home games.

"It was a hard game on Tuesday and I thought it had a draw al over it until we scored in the last minute. I am not sure we deserved to win but we certainly didn't deserve to lose. It was a tremendous three points.

"It is very tight down there so February is a big month for us with so many matches. Put a few good results together and we could pull away from the bottom three or four."

The Bees, relegated last season, currently sit 14th on 36 points after a decent run of four wins and a draw in their last five games and only one loss in eight.

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Jefferson Louis told Evening Post: "I believe I can score goals at this level, especially with the way Mansfield play the game. Hopefully if I can get a few then it will be good for myself, but hopefully it can help the team stay up as well. My aim at the start of the season was to get among the goals and get a move back to a League club. I am a target man whereas the other lads are all clever players who like to run in behind. My hold-up play, aerial ability and strength are the main parts of my game, so when the ball is played long, I can help the team retain it."

Full story at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk

 

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