Archived News from February 2008
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DEARDEN DELAYED ON LOAN DEFENDER, + BOULDING VIDEO
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Injuries delay central defender move
CHAD.co.uk, 7 Feb 2008 STAGS' new loan defender will definitely NOT be joining them in time to face Wycombe on Saturday. Mansfield manager Billy Dearden understands the club were happy for the experienced central defender to come out on loan and the player was happy to come. But a couple of knocks in training this morning for his club mean they have put the move on hold for now. "They are not sure if these knocks will clear up in time for the weekend, so they are holding back on the move as they don't want to leave themselves short," he said. "That's our luck at the moment. We got kicked in the teeth the same with the lad at Crewe. "There's nothing we can do and we will just have to see what's what on Monday." ------------------ Dearden told Evening Post: "We have had to put the deal on hold until after the weekend but I am prepared to wait because he is the one I want. The manager at his club has decided to keep him this weekend because they have had a couple of slight injuries. According to him, he's keen and willing to come and I think he will, although I haven't spoken to him myself yet. Hopefully, this will go through in the early part of next week." Full story at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk ------------- EARLIER STORY: Dearden waiting on loan defender CHAD.co.uk, 7 Feb 2008 MANSFIELD Town could have a new experienced central defender in the side for their tough trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday (3pm). Manager Billy Dearden can bring in players on emergency loan from tomorrow and has already set his sights on one whose club has agreed to the move. "It will be up to the player," he said. "His club are willing to let him out and they are speaking to him this morning. "Then it is up to him if he wants to come to us at the bottom of the league. That is another thing going against us at the moment. "If he does want to come then I will be given permission to speak to him. If he doesn't then it doesn't go any further than that. "He is an experienced player who fits the bill." He added: "I probably should have got a central defender in a week or two before now but I have been hoping to get Alex John-Baptiste or Martin McIntosh back. "But I can't wait forever and there is no guarantee either will be available in the next two or three weeks. "They are two major players we have been without for quite a while now. And I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel with them. "So bringing one in is a priority right now." Stags head for Adams Park looking to avenge that painful 4-0 home defeat last month and once more trying to get themselves off bottom spot. "We have bounced off the bottom twice already this season and we have to do it again," said Dearden. "We know we can do it. We have a lot of games this month when we have to pick up some points, though there are four or five teams saying the same thing. "Getting out of the bottom two is our priority this month and then we can go on from there. "I went to see Bury v Stockport on Tuesday and Bury are being pulled down there with us. We have games in hand and we have to win them. "We are capable of getting out the bottom two with the players we have in this squad. Everyone knows what we can do with the performances we produce, we just have to get the results as well. "We need back to back results, starting at Wycombe on Saturday. "We won't go there to defend. We will put in everything to win the game. On the other hand we must make sure we don't lose it." New signings Jefferson Louis and Will Atkinson could make their full debuts on Saturday after impressing as substitutes last weekend. "Will did well and put in a couple of good crosses," said Dearden. "Jefferson is built like a brick so-and-so and put himself about. "You can knock balls up to him and he will help them on. No disrespect to the players we have got already but that's not their type of game. "We decided we needed someone like him, Jefferson was available, and I was quite pleased with what he did last Saturday, even though he was short of full fitness. "Having those two in has been a lift in the dressing room and if I can get a defender in that will lift the place again." Simon Brown is suspended though has been off ill all week but was expected back in training today. Dam Martin is also back in training today after shaking off injury and illness. In-form defender John Mullins took a knee in the back last weekend and has been in the treatment room with John-Baptiste, McIntosh and Ashley Kitchen (back) all week. He will not train today but should be back tomorrow and available on Saturday. ------------- CHAD VIDEO: Star striker Mickey Boulding says it would not have been fair to the Stags' for him to look for a transfer this season ---> http://www.chad.co.uk/sportvideo/VIDEO-Boulding--39I39m-staying.3755458.jp STAGS' leading striker Mickey Boulding has insisted he had no plans to leave the club during the January transfer window. Speaking to Chad sports editor John Lomas today, Boulding also described the Stags' 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday as a 'massive kick in the teeth' for the club. -------------- Boulding told the Evening Post: “We have got a strong group of forwards at the club and it is not easy to get in the team, which is how it should be. Ian Holmes did well when he came on at Lincoln, big John and Browny have had their moments and now there is big Jeff as well, who adds another dimension. The manager has got us all in to score goals and hopefully we can do that between now and the end of the season. Of course, from my point of view I would love to see Rory in the team and it's disappointing that he's not even been in the squads of 16 because he is good enough. We have had three away wins on the trot and that has given us belief we can win anywhere. Because the squad is young, confidence can sometimes have an effect, but that has been lifted with our recent away results.” Full story at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk Dearden told the Evening Post: “I have been trying to get a central defender in and the manager of his club has agreed to let him come. He has been speaking to the player this morning and it is up to him to decide now. The player who I hope will come in is experienced and it's up to me to persuade him to come, although I've not had permission to speak to him just yet. But if the lad decides he doesn't want to come, then it won't go any further than that. I just decided with what is going on with Baps and Mac that I can't keep waiting. I probably should have tried to bring in someone a week or two ago but I have decided now that is the position we need strengthening. That will either be with this player or someone else, but it will be in the central defensive area.” Full story at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk |
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