Archived News from July 2008
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McEWAN ADMITS TIME IS SHORT
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McEwan admits time is short for new season preparations
Billy McEwan knows time is not on his side as he readies the Stags for 9th August. CHAD.co.uk, 15 July 2008, By Gordon Foster NEW Stags manager Billy McEwan has admitted there is a lot to do in a short time if he wants a decent squad for the big kick-off at Ebbsfleet United on 9th August. Full story at CHAD.co.uk here McEwan has so far wasted no time in getting stuck into the job of rebuilding a squad capable of challenging for a quick return to the Football League –– with defenders Adie Moses and Michael Blackwood the latest two to put pen to paper. During a press conference today, McEwan said of Moses: "Adie is a very experienced professional. He is a leader with a great attitude and is somebody who I wanted to sign when I was manager of York." And Moses himself had no qualms about joining the Stags, revealing that he had come down to have a look when Paul Holland was still in charge. He said: "I live in Doncaster which is not a million miles away. I'm settled there with children in school, and Mansfield is the right club at the right time for me. "It isn't going to be easy, but Billy knows what it's about at Conference level and although it may take time he will build a good team." 'Massive' Blackwood added: "We may be in the Conference but this is a massive club in this league. "The club is making a fresh start, I like Billy's ideas, the ground is beautiful, and everything is geared up to getting back into the League where Mansfield belong." However, McEwan insisted he was not being negative when he said it would take time to build the side he needed. "In this situation, when time is short, anyone can go out and sign players to make up the numbers. "But what is the point of that? It's no good bringing in players that you've never seen or had time to judge. "I still have people to talk to, but the people I bring into Mansfield Town will be the people I have seen and who I know will do a good job for us. "That is going to take time –– players have to get to know each other, and gel together, and that is not going to happen overnight. "But if we want to succeed in the longer term, it's the only way to go about it." -------------- AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH STALLARD FROM OFFICIAL BBC RADIO NOTTINGHAM: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/7505543.stm 14 Jul 08 --------------- Stags look for another keeper Evening Post, 16/07/2008 Another goalkeeper to push Jason White is at the top of Mansfield's shopping list, boss Billy McEwan confirmed today. Full story here The Stags have been down to just one shot-stopper since veteran Carl Muggleton was released at the end of last season. McEwan feels it is vital to have a rivalry for the keeper's jersey and is in pursuit of the right man to give White competition. "I want a strong spine to the team through the middle, from the strikers up front to the midfielders, centre-backs and goalkeeper," said McEwan. "We need another keeper because we have only got one, and we need players in other areas too because we only had two signed on when I started. "If you are not strong enough down the middle then you can struggle. But I have to see them play before I'll sign players - reputations count for nothing." McEwan is pleased to have added two more players to his squad in the shape of left-sided player Michael Blackwood, 28, and central defender Adie Moses, 33. McEwan said: "Michael can play left-midfield or left-back and I saw him play against York for Kidderminster and wanted to get him in then. "He is a good character, has experience but the position he plays depends on how the squad shapes up. "Adie is someone who has played at the highest level [in the Premiership with Barnsley] and he knows what it is all about. "He is another one who I tired to get in at York when he was at Crewe, but he chose to stay in the league with Lincoln." More new faces are likely at the club soon, according to McEwan. But the boss will wait to see how his players gel together before deciding on a formation. McEwan said: "I have plenty of other people in mind and I am waiting on decisions. "You can't play a certain formation if you don't have the players to do it. "I will bring in the players and develop a formation around that." -------------------- |
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