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Archived News from March 2008

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23rd March 2008 23:59


CHAD VIDEO: Arnold - "Holland knows us inside out."
CHAD.co.uk, 20Mar2008
video here
MANSFIELD Town FC striker Nathan Arnold has been given a new lease of life by caretaker manager Paul Holland - who he says is the right man to manage Stags permanently.

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'This is a huge weekend' - Stags defender Mullins
CHAD.co.uk, 20Mar2008, By John Lomas
STAGS go into Saturday's game with Grimsby Town on the back of nine defeats and a draw in their last 10 Field Mil outings.
But Mullins said: "All we are concentrating on is a performance on Saturday.

"We won't let our recent home form bother us. That is put to the back of our minds.

Full story here

"We are looking forward to it. The way we are playing we are not bothered if the game is home or away. We just want to win games sooner than later.

"It has been brilliant so far. He tells us to go out there and play with no fear, get the ball down and pass teams to death. It has really rejuvenated us. It is like a fresh start.

"We were all sad to see Billy (Dearden) go but we now have to look forward and believe we can get out of this predicament we are in.

"We all gave out backing to Paul in a meeting with the chief executive. Since he came in training has been sharper and we are going into matches knowing what he wants us to do.

"This is a huge weekend and if we got maximum points the table could look so much different come Tuesday morning.

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We are fighting for our lives - Stags midfielder Dawson
CHAD.co.uk, 20Mar2008
STAGS midfielder Stephen Dawson is hoping they can catch Grimsby Town off guard as they bid to end a miserable run of 10 home games without a win on Saturday.
Grimsby are just two weeks away from a Wembley final appearance in the Johnstone Paint's trophy and Dawson said: "I am sure Grimsby will come here and be professional.

"But, with no disrespect, I don't think they are going up or down this season and those players are just two weeks away from the biggest game of their career. I am sure they will have one eye on that final.

"But we are fighting for our lives and every kick or decision on Saturday could mean going down or staying up.

Full story here

"We believe we can do it. Training has been good and everyone has responded to Paul (Holland) but we know we have to get the results.

"It is a big weekend. If we can get four or six points over Easter then we will go into the Notts County game really prepared.

"I still think Bury are still in it and a win there would drag them back towards us. We still have to play al the teams down there and it is in our own hands.

"To stay up would really be an achievement with what has been going on backstage."

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Holland confident on 2 new signings
CHAD.co.uk, 20Mar2008, By John Lomas
STAGS caretaker boss Paul Holland is confident of boosting his squad with two experienced new loan signings ahead of Saturday's visit of Grimsby Town.
Holland said this morning he was very close to agreeing deals with both and hoped to have them in the club by tomorrow.

"I am very close," he said. "I have spoken to their respective clubs and they have agreed to let them come here. It is just a case of finalising a few things and I hope to have them signed by tomorrow morning.

"I have done my homework. Both have played over 300 games and will be valuable additions to the squad.

Full story here

"One is a former international player at a Championship club who has played at a higher level and he is really looking forward to coming here to try to make a difference.

"I spoke to him on the phone this morning and he has the right attitude to go with his experience and versatility.

"He is someone Billy (Dearden) and I spoke about five or six weeks ago and I think he will bring experience and guidance for the rest of the squad.

"I met the other player in person last night. He is a name people will know who plays for another club in our division. He is desperate for first team football and can play a number of positions.

"Both will go into the squad but I will not guarantee anyone a starting place. Some managers I have spoken to said they will let a player come if we can guarantee he will play. But I want to create competition for places and to keep everyone on their toes.

"We have 10 matches left and it won't be the same team that plays them all. We need bodies.

"These new players understand that and are still desperate to come in get us out of this hole."

If Holland is successful in bringing the duo in, that won't necessarily be the end of the new faces.

"I spoke to Stephen Booth (club chief executive) this morning and will speak to him again after training to keep him up to date," said Holland.

"I won't be resting on my laurels if we get these players in," he said. "If I see someone else I think would strengthen us then I will do things the right way and speak to their club and then go to Stephen Booth to ask the question."

Holland has played a 4-4-1-1 formation successfully in his two matches in charge so far but is contemplating switching that on Saturday against a Grimbsy side likely to employ a packed midfield 4-5-1 formation on Saturday.

"Grimsby play a different formation to the other clubs we've played so it is something we are going to have to look at on the training pitch," he said.

"Grimsby pass the ball well and can mix it as well. It will be a very tough game but we have a game plan which we are working on and we are very confident we can do well. They are three gettable points.

"We have 10 cup finals ahead of us. But I can see a bit of an uplift here and I am desperate to keep that going and keep everyone positive."

Holland certainly seems to be getting that extra yard out of the players in the two games since Dearden departed.

"The final decisions are now down to me," he said. "That is the difference. I loved my time working with Billy and learned so much about the way he conducted himself and the contacts he made.

"But, at the end of the day, it is now down to me and if things are not going well it is me who gets the blame while if they are going well sometimes you get the credit.

"I am relishing the challenge and if we all move in the same direction we can overcome this.

"We haven't had back to back wins yet this season but we have to do it somewhere if we are going to stay up so why not Saturday? The game can't come quickly enough for us.

"Hopefully we can get bums on seats and put a smile on supporters' faces.

"The fans were brilliant at the Hereford game and away from home they've been magnificent all season. You can't drag people into the stadium. But if we play the right type of football then the fans will come back."

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Latest | March 2008