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Archived News from January 2009

CRAWLEY PREVIEWS
17th January 2009 0:08


The minute's applause for Ian Greaves, that was due to take place last Saturday, will now take place before the game against Crawley on Saturday.

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If you can't get to Field Mill on Saturday, then as usual StagsWorld will bring you full match commentary by Nigel Pinnick and Martin Shaw, who have great faces for radio as you can see


To sign up to StagsWorld, click here.
A reminder that StagsWorld subscribers can watch video footage of ALL the goals from EVERY Stags league and cup game this season ... sadly apart from Kettering away :-(. To view the goals, StagsWorld subscribers should go here and sign in.

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Free StagsWorld video of David Holdsworth's press conference on 15 Jan 2009
Read full story at mansfieldtown.net here

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Arnold could stay with Mansfield
BBC.co.uk, 15 Jan 2009

audio interview with Radio Nottingham here

Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth says forward Nathan Arnold could still stay at Field Mill.

The 21-year-old was transfer listed after refusing to commit his future to the club but Holdsworth has since been impressed by his attitude.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Nathan has shown great character and he's in the squad for Saturday.

"The door's not shut, it's half open. If he decides he wants to stay then we'll sit down again."

The Stags boss, who has already signed six players and brought a further seven in on trial, says he only wants committed players.

"There's a-thousand-and-one players who want to play for David Holdsworth which is great.

"I will only bring them in if they want to commit to this football club, be 100% professional, 100% respectful and have that desire to play for our fans and for me."

Holdsworth's first game in charge will be against Crawley at Field Mill on Saturday.

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We want midfielder McBride
Evening Post, 15 Jan 2009
DAVID Holdsworth today revealed he is eager to snap up midfielder Martin McBride for Mansfield – but may have to wait until the end of the season to get his man.

Full story at Evening Post website here

The Stags boss has been impressed by what he has seen from the creative 22-year-old Stranraer player after inviting him in for a week's trial.

He is also taking a look at McBride's team-mate, defender John Kane.

“I'm keen on Martin because he is a good player and the rest of the boys have seen that,” said Holdsworth.

“His contract runs out in the summer and we may have to wait until then, but I will be patient for good players.

“Martin brings a different element to the to squad. He has shown a lot of skill, but deals are never done easily and he lives in Scotland.

“The days are gone when you can put a player up for three or four months.

“He knows my thoughts on him and we will see how it develops – but it won't happen overnight.”

Holdsworth also revealed striker Mark Stallard is likely to be in the 16 for Saturday's game against Crawley.

The former Notts County man came through 65 minutes of yesterday's 5-3 reserves defeat to Derby County at Alfreton.

He said: “Mark is not in contention to start (at the weekend) but he has done himself no harm getting a game in.

“I'm contemplating putting him in the squad because we need that type of experience.

“He knows he can still get sharper – and that's the type of player we want.”

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Red Devils provide huge opening test for new boss
CHAD.co.uk, 15 January 2009, By John Lomas
AFTER 19 long days, in-form Crawley Town will finally provide new Mansfield Town boss David Holdsworth with his first opposition at Field Mill this Saturday.

Full story at CHAD.co.uk here

And theRed Devils' 5-0 away win at Cambridge United last night, which extended their unbeaten run to nine games, underlined how tough this first game will be.

"Crawley walloped Cambridge and I am well aware of their strengths," said Holdsworth.

"But we will work on their weaknesses and I believe we can get a result.

"Obviously we are hugely the underdogs again like we were against Burton when we had our bums smacked.

"But I do not like losing. The fans know I am with them. I would be delighted with a good result on Saturday - it would give us something to build on.

"We have to roll our sleeves up, be respectful, fit and expressive.

"It is very difficult to come into the situation we are in. We are in a dogfight and have to get those sleeves rolled up.

"No one should be happy and content where we are. But there is no quick fix - you can't get that in football.

"You have to devise a structure very very quickly with hard work and team ethic.

"It seems strange we haven't had a game for three weeks but it has given me chance to have a mini pre-season here. We have had double sessions every day and fitness levels are definitely rising.

"The lads have worked very hard and, most importantly, they have done it with smiles on their faces."

Striker Mark Stallard scored on his comeback from a back injury in the reserves' defeat by Derby County on Wednesday and could be among the subsitutes on Saturday.

"Mark led the young boys by example against Derby and scored a wonderful goal," said Holdsworth.

"He has quality and I am appreciate of that. He may be back in the squad on Saturday depending on numbers, though he won't start. He admits he could be sharper but you can't beat experience.

"I have been impressed with his standards."

Curtis Woodhouse is suspended and Alan O'Hare will also miss out with his ankle injury though Michael Blackwood is rated at 50-50 with his knee problem.

New signings Alan Marriott, Scott Garner, Louis Briscoe, and Rob Duffy will all be hoping for debuts.

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Latest | January 2009