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Archived News from April 2008

HOLLAND, BUXTON AND ROBINS REACTION
27th April 2008 19:01


audio interview with Paul Holland from Mansfield 103.2 - sorry audio not available due to technical problems

Paul Holland is interviewed after the game by Mansfield 103.2
Photo by Martin Shaw

audio interview with Paul Holland from Radio Nottingham, here

Paul Holland is interviewed after the game by Radio Nottingham
Photo by Martin Shaw

audio interview with Jake Buxton from Radio Nottingham, here

Jake Buxton is interviewed after the game
Photo by Martin Shaw

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themillers.co.uk
Well Satisfied Manager
Posted on: Sun 27 Apr 2008
Rotherham United manager Mark Robins was naturally well pleased after watching his team beat Mansfield Town 1-0 at Field Mill and he commented: "We coped well with their threat and were good value for the win although they fought hard to battle against the threat of relegation.

"The winning goal was a bit out of the blue but to be fair to Jamie Yates he hit the ball and we watched it as the wind made it a real up and under and its gone in the net.

"I am happy with the result but we missed two or three chances as well to kill off the game while we restricted them to half chances. We controlled the game on a bobbly pitch in difficult circumstances.

"We always knew they would throw everything at us but we coped with it although we made it difficult for ourselves once or twice when we went to win a ball that wasn't there to win and then you are relying others to cover.

"But we coped with it all. Ryan Taylor was injured at half time so he had to come off while Tom Cahill very close to being sent off while he looked tired again so they were the reasons they came off while we had to inject some pace up front alongside Derek Holmes and I thought that worked quite well.

"Tom got himself in a position to score but he hit it straight at the keeper and that's the time when you have to be ice cold in front of goal and pick your spot. That's something he has to work on and it will come with a bit of time.

"His overall performance was OK but we are happy with another win and here's to looking to end the season with four wins on the trot next week. The lads are full of confidence so it would be nice to end with another win."
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Tears from Holland as defeat leaves Mansfield Town on relegation precipice
CHAD.CO.UK
By John Lomas
PAUL Holland ended the afternoon in tears as his hopes of saving Mansfield Town from relegation were all but ended by this 1-0 home defeat by Rotherham United.
But Holland refused to accept defeat until it is mathematically over - Chester have to lose ther last two and Stags win at Dagenham - before throwing in the towel.

But he also insisted he was the man who should lead them next season whichever division they were in after inspiring the club's late revival this season.

Holland also told how angry he still was that a supporter had asked one of his players to deliberately let in a goal - in a cup tie - midway through this season as a protest against owner Keith Haslam, who was assaulted amid angry scenes after the game today.

Holland wiped away the tears and said: "I am as disappointed as anyone.

"We are now relying on other people and have a slim chance of staying up. But I am very disappointed with things that happened today on and off the pitch.

"We have to cling to the hope that Stockport and Macclesfield do us a favour and Chester don't pick any more points up.

"Funnier things have happened, but we are very, very down."

On United's winner, he added: "It was a freak goal. He kicked it right in front of us and there was no chance he was going for goal.

"I'm not ashamed to say we've shed a few tears today. I will be at Stockport v Chester and I will say a few prayers beforehand. Whatever happens I still think I am the person to bring this club back if we go down.

"I am very disappointed with what has been happening off the pitch this season and it has to be sorted out. It has made things difficult.

"We are in the bottom two for a reason. We have not been good enough all season. I can totally understand fans' frustration. If we do go down we have to come straight back up."
Holland then stunned everyone with an unexpected attack on an unnamed fan, saying: "One particular person should be extremely ashamed of himself for what has happened this season - he knows who he is.

"He asked a player to get the team to throw a goal as a protest against Keith Haslam. The person responsible came to me to apologise and I accepted it.

"I won't name the fan, but he is very high up and is always on the radio and talking to the press. It is embarrassing how he can say he is a Mansfield Town fan."

This comment stems from a supporter speaking to a player in a phone conversation and suggesting the players make a protest against Keith Haslam's ownership in solidarity with the fans by allowing their opponents to walk the ball into the Mansfield net from a kick-off.

Chad understands that the phone call came ahead of the FA Cup Second Round tie at Harrogate Railway, shortly after the Derry consortium takeover bid had been turned down. During the long conversation, the fan suggested that the players could allow Railway to score unchallenged after the Stags had scored a goal, as a protest against Haslam's ownership and refusal to sell.
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Mansfield Town captain Buxton clings to slim hope
CHAD.co.uk
STAGS skipper Jake Buxton accepted that Stags' chances of survival are now slim but refused to give up the fight.
Buxton returned from suspension today to play a real captain's role with a brave and battling display at the back.

But, after seeing Rotherham escape with all three points due to a freak goal from over 40 yards, he said: "We are not in our situation just because what has happened today. It is down to what has happened over the course of the season.

"We have a slim hope to cling to with Chester and we have still got to believe, though I am not stupid. It is a slim chance.

"The lads know it is a tough ask. Chester play Stockport and Macclesfield and Stockport are certain of the Play-offs so may play kids while Macclesfield haven't really got anything to play for.

"We have just got to keep going and see what happens.

"We have just not been good enough. But you have got to realise that, having been so far adrift, we have done wonders to put ourselves in a position that we could have stayed up with four or six points from our last two games.

"But we have stumbled at the last hurdle and it was gutting to lose to a goal like that. It all turned sour at the end and things have gone off which is upsetting.

"If things now don't go our way and we go down then we have to try to hold onto our best players and bounce back as soon as we can."
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