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Archived News from November 2008

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12th November 2008 16:02


CHAD VIDEO: Stags star looking forward to Saltergate return
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/VIDEO-Stags-star-looking-forward.4670460.jp
CHAD.co.uk, 06 November 2008, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD Town central defender Alan O'Hare can't wait to get back to Saltergate on Saturday as Stags take on his former club Chesterfield in the big FA Cup first round clash.
In this exclusive Chad video interview, the Irishman talks about the reception he expects from his old fans, his belief that Stags can pull off a shock win, his dream of scoring the winner, and his worry about keeping his place in the side with three centre halves battling for two starting places

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McEwan calls on Stags players to show same passion as fans for derby
CHAD.co.uk, 06 November 2008, By John Lomas
STAGS manager Billy McEwan has called on his players to show the same 'passion and pride' their travelling army of fans will show when Stags take on bitter local rivals Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round at Saltergate on Saturday (1pm).
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/McEwan-calls-on-Stags-players.4670338.jp

Over 1,500 of the 2,100 tickets have been sold with a final day's selling ahead tomorrow and McEwan said: "It's a big day for the fans and for us.

"It's only down the road and I would imagine we will sell our full allocation.

"We know it's going to be hard and we go there as underdogs.

"We have got to go there and stand up and be counted. We have to show the passion and pride that our fans will show with their support.

"It is one of those games you live for as a player. These are the sort of matches that made you want to be a footballer.

"It's all about bragging rights – we are better than you are when you go into work.

"The most important thing for me is to get the team right and the game plan right and have no trouble there – I want both sets of fans to behave themselves as I am sure they will do.

"They can scream their heads off for their team and support them, but we don't want trouble."

He added: "I am sure the players are looking forward to it – I certainly am. I am getting a wee flutter in my stomach already.

"I enjoyed going there as a player and it will be great to go back there as a manager.

"I always looked forward to the FA Cup as a player. Some of my players will never have played in the first round proper and maybe some of them have never even played in the FA Cup before."

Team selection will be interesting after Tuesday's improved showing in the Setanta Shield exit at York with skipper Adie Moses, midfielders Jon D'Laryea and Matt Somner and striker Jason Lee all hoping to fight their way back in after sitting it out in midweek.

"I rested three or four players on Tuesday and gave others a run out which was always the plan," he said.

"We even got to play a couple of youngsters nearer the end. Don't get me wrong, we wanted to win at York, but we had to have one eye on Saturday as this is a much bigger game."

With winger Michael Blackwood already ruled out with an ankle injury, Stags' biggest worry for Saturday is on loan Tranmere midfielder Adnan Ahmed who picked up a groin strain after a second impressive display at York on Tuesday and he missed training today.

But McEwan said:"We will have to see how he is tomorrow and Saturday. He has another 48 hours and we will give him every chance."

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Perry praises hardy 44 Stags fans after ticket giveaway
Comp tickets were club thankyou gesture
CHAD.co.uk, 06 November 2008, By John Lomas
STAGS chairman Andy Perry had high praise for the hardy 44 Stags fans who travelled to York City on Tuesday night - some of whom benefitted from a late ticket giveaway from the players.
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Perry-praises-hardy-44-Stags.4667523.jp

The players had no idea they would all get a couple of complimentary tickets from Setanta Sports for the Shield game until they arrived and quickly got physio Paul Madin to try to distribute them to any Stags fan without one.

Chairman Perry said it was a joint idea from manager Billy McEwan and his players.

"It was a gesture to thank them for travelling up there," said Perry.

"The players could have just thrown them in the bin as they didn't need them, but we thought about the fans.

"They were amazing to go up there on Tuesday. I travelled with them on the supporters' bus and they are a great set of people. There was a good atmosphere and some good football banter.

"It was another chance for any of them wanting to ask questions to do so and some took the opportunity.

"It just shows we don't have to wait for dedicated Questions and Answers nights. We keep putting ourselves out there to speak to people all the time."

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Jeannin: Stags can cope with fixture pile-up
Evening Post, 6 Nov 08
Alex Jeannin today insisted Mansfield's players can cope with the hectic fixture schedule being thrown at them.The Stags will play their fifth game in 15 days when they take on rivals Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Jeannin--Stags-can-cope-with-fixture-pile-up.aspx
Manager Billy McEwan this week voiced concern at the amount of games his side are having to play.

But left-back Jeannin believes most players prefer to play in matches than train.

He said: "It's been okay for me physically.

"Last year I played something like 55 games, which works out at about two a week.

"But I would rather be doing that than training all week.

"Some players may find it harder to keep that up over a number of weeks but I'm sure most just like to be playing."

While McEwan has shuffled his pack in the last few games, Frenchman Jeannin has been a near ever-present.

And with the left-sided Michael Blackwood sidelined with an ankle injury, that looks set to continue.

But Jeannin is hoping there will soon be more to celebrate after a difficult last month.

He said: "The decisions that have gone against us in recent matches have changed games.

"Everyone knows penalties shouldn't have been given against Woking and Stevenage.

"And we have been punished for mistakes in other games.

"But we are strong enough to bounce back."

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O'Hare up for cup showdown
http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/fc/O39Hare-up-for-cup-showdown.4662662.jp
Alan O'Hare is looking forward to making a return to Saltergate when Chesterfield take on Mansfield Town in a mouthwatering FA Cup showdown on Saturday.
O'Hare, who made a total of 163 appearances for the Spireites before a switch to Field Mill last summer, is keeping his fingers crossed that he will play against his old club.

''I've been struggling with a 'flu virus and have missed a couple of games, but the match on Saturday is one that nobody wants to miss,'' said O'Hare (26) who spent six years with the Blues.

Derby clashes between the two clubs are always eagerly anticipated by supporters and O'Hare described the draw as a 'nice surprise'.

Chesterfield completed a League Two double over Mansfield last season before the Stags slipped through the trapdoor into the Blue Square Conference.

O'Hare was released by the Blues during the summer and crossed the M1 to continue his career at Field Mill.

''I still live in Chesterfield but I'm looking forward to going back to Saltergate as a Mansfield player.

''I had a great few years with Chesterfield but the time was right to move on. Going to Mansfield presented a new challenge and that is what life is all about,'' said O'Hare, who has seen the Stags lose their last five games in the Conference.

The Irish-born player, who was an apprentice at Bolton before his move to Saltergate, described his last season with Chesterfield as a 'non-starter'.

''What I want is to play first-team games on Saturdays and Tuesdays. I want to be involved.

''I never had any problem with Lee Richardson. He wanted to bring in his own players and I thought it was time for me to move on,'' added O'Hare.

The showdown, which has a kick-off time of 1pm, is the plum draw of the competition's first round with a £20,000 prize-pot up for grabs.

Mansfield initially made a bright start in their bid to regain Football League status but they were hit by a points deduction after fielding an ineligible player and the run of five defeats has left them just a single point above the drop zone.

In contrast, Chesterfield's recent form has been hot with 15 goals coming in the last four games.

However, in the hurly-burly of a derby clash, the formbook tends to go out of the window.

A replay – if needed – will take place at Field Mill on Tuesday, November 18.

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Sam Wedgbury Interview
http://www.sheffutd.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=130878
6 Nov 08

Sheffield United midfielder Sam Wedgbury joined Mansfield Town on loan last month to gain some valuable first team experience. Vital Sheff Utd caught up with the youngster to find out about his time at Mansfield and give you some more details on the youngster.

1. First of all, thank you for taking the time out for this. It's the first time you've been sent out on loan, something that has been used effectively in the past with players like Stephen Quinn & Kyle Naughton, who have both progressed into the first team and been key players this season. What do you hope to learn at Mansfield and have you had any advice from your United team mates?

Well i hope to firstly get some senior games under my belt people think the conference isn't a good level but i can assure them it is, secondly i hope to get some much needed experience in order to progress in my career, kyle is my flat mate so i talk to him all the time and he gives me pointers on what he did at gretna, i look upto to people like quinny and naughts and think thats where i want to be and yes the likes of gary speed, gary naismith and a few others have encouraged me and said it will be a good experience one that will hopefully help me progress up the ladder in my career.

2. Is it easier with Max Chanot at Mansfield at the same time as you, who is also hoping to progress, and has had his loan spell extended over the last couple of days?

well yes ofcourse it helps when one of your team mates is at the same club as you because we travel in together and i get on well with him he also told me what to expect when i went to mansfield and he told me it is a good club, from my first game i saw the potential the club had when i played the fans are brilliant down there and create good atmospheres in the games which is a realistic enviroment for me to learn in and also the gaffer and the assistant manager at mansfield have been brilliant with me so i really appriciate what they have done for me

3. Unfortunately you were injured during your debut, hopefully it isn't too serious, how long will you miss out on?

Well i'll miss a couple of weeks i have been running this week with darius henderson so it will be next week hopefully

4. It seemed last season as though you were close to the first team at Bramall Lane, did Kevin Blackwell keep you informed of exactly how close you were?

yes the gaffer did keep me informed along with sam ellis, they told me that i was close to the bench a few times the sheffield wednesday game being one of them which would have been a dream, but i hopefully one day will get the chance to show what i can do because sheffield united is a top club, but i understand that its not going to be easy with the quality in the squad the gaffer has got the likes of speedo, springy, quinny, monty and now brian howard so they are all infront of me but i will keep working as hard as i can because i am determined to get into the gaffers plans



5. You're comfortable playing in defence or midfield, and if my mind serves me correct I think you played wide right in a friendly at Stocksbridge in pre season. What do you see as your favourite position?

I love playing central midfield thats where i see myself playing because I like to work hard and get on the ball and pass it, but sometimes aslong as ime on the pitch i dont mind where I play beacause I will always give it 100 per cent

6. What's it like having experienced pro's such as Adie Moses, Kevin Horlock & Jason Lee at the club, who have been there and seen it all. Have they given you any advice to help you intergrate into the system/team/dressing room etc..?

They have helped me settle in really well, just told me to relax and just enjoy my football which is what i am doing i am so thankful that i get to train everyday and i dont take that for granted because many people would love to be in my shoes, being at big club like sheffield united and then being loaned out to another quality club with massive potential

7. Being from Oldbury, it's clear you're not a local lad as such, but where do your allegiences lie in the football world (without sitting on the fence)

Well all my family are west brom fans, but ive been here that long that the blades are now my club they have treated me so well and i love it here so i will always be a blade


 

Latest | November 2008