Archived News from April 2009
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BARROW PREVIEWS AND COMMENTARY LINK
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If you can't get to Field Mill on Saturday, then Stagsworld will bring you full match commentary by Nigel Pinnick and Martin Shaw.
In case of any difficulties logging in, follow this link and enter your username and password directly. For a 30 day free trial 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 (including extended highlights of recent games against Cambridge and Kettering, plus the goals from defeats at Grays and Histon). To view the goals, StagsWorld subscribers should go here and sign in. To relive the highlights from the Stagsworld audio commentary from Tuesday's win over Ebbsfleet, click here The view from the commentary box: 
-------------- 09 April 2009 Free audio with David Holdsworth, who gives us team news for Barrow game. Listen at mansfieldtown.net here ------------------ Stags' Moses facing fitness race Evening Post, April 09, 2009 DAVID Holdsworth is hoping Adie Moses will be fit to take his place in Mansfield's side to face Barrow on Saturday. Full story at Evening Post website here The central defender has been struggling with a groin problem and could be seen struggling with it towards the end of Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Ebbsfleet. But the 33-year-old has been undergoing treatment in a bid to prevent him being sidelined. Holdsworth reckons Moses' chances are 70-30 in favour of him playing. Mansfield's other injury worries, Gary Silk (groin) and Scott Gardner (hamstring) and Mark Stallard (stomach), are definitely out. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D889516/acc_random%3D2857286267/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D_top%3E%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20alt%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3EGianluca Havern is likely to start his third game in a row at right-back. -------------- Somner stakes claim to stay at Stags Evening Post, April 09, 2009 MATT Somner today reaffirmed his desire to remain at Mansfield Town next season. Full story at Evening Post website here The midfielder has played some of his best football in a Stags shirt since David Holdsworth took over as boss at the turn of the year. The former Notts County man's deal runs out in the summer, along with a host of other players but he is hoping his stint at Field Mill will be for more than just one season after joining last summer. "Without a doubt, I would like to stay because I am really enjoying it," said Somner. "The manager now seems to get the best out of me and I like playing under him. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D889003/acc_random%3D1855896342/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"I don't want to go anywhere else and hopefully I can sort something but you never know. "Every game is like an interview and there are no guarantees the manager will want to keep any one of us. "But at the same time you don't have to let it worry you too much otherwise you are not able to concentrate on your normal game." Somner believes the majority of the Mansfield squad feel the same way in wanting to re-sign. But he knows that not everyone is going to be given a new deal as Holdsworth makes way for new blood. Somner said: "Every game the manager tells us we are playing for our futures. "If we want to be part of it then we have to play well in these last few games. "It is a test for all the lads at the club." ------------------- Woodhouse bidding to lead Stags to more home success Evening Post, April 10, 2009 THOSE who know David Holdsworth well have come to expect the unexpected – and Curtis Woodhouse knows him better than most. So while it came as a surprise to learn he was playing left-back and had been handed the captain's armband against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday, it was by no means a shock. Woodhouse and Holdsworth were on the books together at Sheffield United in the 1990s. So when Jonathan D'Laryea was left out of the side, 28-year-old Woodhouse was an obvious choice to lead the side. It is an honour that keeps up his record of having skippered for every team he has played for, including the Blades and the likes of Peterborough, Birmingham, Hull and Grimsby. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D890332/acc_random%3D8096629634/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D_top%3E%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20alt%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E"I always take pride in being given the captain's armband and it keeps my run going," he said. "I think sometimes a lot more is made of it than is actually the case because you need to have a lot of leaders out on the field. "I am vocal any way and maybe that's why I was given it. I suppose it is a bit of extra responsibility. "But if we have everyone pulling in the same direction like we did against Ebbsfleet then it makes it a lot easier." Normally a midfielder, Woodhouse was happy to take up a role he has occupied several times in the past. He was delighted to be part of a back four that recorded a much-needed clean sheet – the team's first in five games – after marking Ricky Shakes. He said: "It was as a left wing- back that I first got in Sheffield United's team as a youngster and I have played at left-back for just about every club. "I can do a job there because it is not something alien to me. "It does take a bit of an adjustment and in this case I was playing with a back four I had not played with before. "I was up against a dangerous winger who could have caught the pigeons he was that quick. When he went past me the first couple of times I thought I was in for a long night. "He was a good player, but in the end I did okay and I thought we defended well as a team." Woodhouse witnessed an eye-catching debut from Ollie Hotchkiss, on loan from Leeds United. The 19-year-old sprayed the ball around confidently after having to bide his time to get a first team opportunity, not helped by a spell of illness. "He played really well and was my own man of the match because he showed that touch of class. "He's out to make a name for himself and hopefully he can do that if he keeps getting selected." Barrow come to Field Mill tomorrow desperate for the points to consolidate their place in the Blue Square Premier having been promoted last year. But Woodhouse says the Stags are just as keen to add to their record of five wins and three draws at home since Holdsworth took charge. He said: "I think Tuesday is the most chances we have created in a game since I came here and it could have been four or five on another day. "I think the team-talk will be more of the same." ------------ D'Laryea will come back stronger, insists Stags boss Evening Post, April 10, 2009 AXED Mansfield Town skipper Jonathan D'Laryea will come back a stronger player, David Holdsworth today predicted. The 23-year-old was installed as captain when the Stags boss took over at the end of last year and the midfielder had been an ever-present. But he was dropped out of the squad altogether for Tuesday night's 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet United. D'Laryea's prospects of winning an immediate recall for tomorrow's home game with Barrow look remote as replacement Ollie Hotchkiss, on loan from Leeds, impressed. Indeed, it has already been confirmed Curtis Woodhouse will continue to wear the armband against Barrow. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D890359/acc_random%3D3404856439/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D_top%3E%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20alt%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3EBut Holdsworth expects a strong response from D'Laryea who he says has been 'outstanding' during his time at Field Mill. "I think Jon needed a rest, to be taken out, and he will learn from this," he said. "He had one or two games where, by his own admission, he had been below his best and I felt it necessary to change it. "He's a valuable member of our squad who has battled very hard for our cause and he is going to do that again in the future." Holdsworth was delighted to see Mansfield record their first win in five against the Fleet – and with the performances of full debutants Hotchkiss and Daryl Clare. Gary Silk (groin), Scott Gardner (hamstring) and Mark Stallard (stomach) are definitely out against Barrow tomorrow, but Adie Moses (groin) has a 70-30 chance of playing. ------------------ Stags training session open to the public CHAD.co.uk, 09 April 2009 MANSFIELD TOWN'S first team's training session on Thursday 16th April is open to the public and will take place at Field Mill from 11.00am Full story at CHAD.co.uk here Entrance is free and there will be an opportunity to meet the players and manager. Boss David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net: "It is a time when the kids are off school and they are more than welcome to come down to watch us train and meet the players after the session. "The fans will see the dynamic part of the sessions and I am sure some of the players will want to entertain in front of an audience. "It won't last for two-three hours. It won't be any different from what we normally do," he added. Entry will be via the Quarry Lane End, adjacent to the Ticket Office. ----------------- CHAD Unchanged for Stags? Jelleyman looking forward to Field Mill return CHAD, 09 April 2009 By John Lomas STAGS boss David Holdsworth is hoping to field an unchanged line-up on Saturday as relegation battlers Barrow visit Field Mill (3pm) A sparkling 2-0 midweek win over Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night saw Stags shake off two poor recent away displays and Holdsworth said: "If they are all fit then I will keep it the same. "The team picks itself as I was very pleased with them on Tuesday. There is no one else who I think could come in and improve things right now." Barrow are only three points clear of the drop zone and two sides below them in the fight have a game in hand. They haven't won for three games but the Bluebirds have pulled off impressive away draws at Kettering Town and Wrexham in that time. "Their results are not that bad - they've had a couple of good ones - and they are fighting for their lives so we will be very respectful of them," said Holdsworth. "They are big, strong and organised and they have a couple of dangerous players. "It will be a tough game but we want to continue this good home run and we are still aiming to try to finish in the top 10, though I know it's a tough aim to pull off." Skipper Adie Moses is the biggest worry with his slight groin strain, though he battled through Tuesday's game with it and played well. Gary Silk, Mark Stallard and Scott Gardner are all ruled out of a place on the bench with injury. Since Holdsworth took over at the turn of the year, Mansfield are unbeaten at Field Mill and have only conceded once in those eight games.Barrow have no new injury worries ahead of the trip to Mansfield. The only player missing at the weekend will be Mark Boyd as he serves his second match ban. Barrow's away record has improved dramatically in recent weeks and part of the success has been the return to form of Steve McNulty, who has rekindled his dominant partnership with skipper Paul Jones. New Bluebirds left back Gareth Jelleyman will be looking to impress as he goes up against his former team. Jelleyman was the target of a lot of abuse during Tuesday's game at Kettering but the on-loan Rushden and Diamonds player wasn't put out by it. "It's just water off a duck's back really, we (Rushden) all got plenty of stick when we played them earlier in the season because they're local rivals," said Jelleyman. The left back was quick to praise his new team-mates' performances and firmly believes the Bluebirds will beat the drop. "They're a great set of lads, we've defended well but the whole team effort has just been amazing," he added. "I think we'll definitely survive the drop, everyone's working their socks off at the minute and I definitely think we can get something from Mansfield. "Anyone can beat anyone on their day in this league, if you work hard you make your own luck." Joint-manager Darren Sheridan is confident the Bluebirds can beat the drop back to Blue Square North. "If we show the same commitment we've shown recently then we'll be okay," he said. ------------- Ex-Stag Jelleyman – marathon trip is worth it Saturday, April 11, 2009, 07:00Comment on this story GARETH Jelleyman is hoping to sink former club Mansfield today – and help Barrow take a giant step towards Blue Square Premier safety. The left-back was with the Stags when they were relegated out of the Football League at the end of last season. And having joined Barrow on loan from Rushden, he is determined not to feel that same disappointment again. "It's great to be involved because last time I came back to Field Mill with Rushden I was injured and didn't play as an unused substitute," said Jelleyman. "I don't have a clue what kind of reception I'll get, but it is a match I have been looking forward to." %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D894134/acc_random%3D2665004076/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"The lads have said that if we can win two of our last five games then that should be enough to keep us up. "The sooner we can get them the better and it would be great for me personally if we could beat my old club." Jelleyman has to endure an eight-hour round trip from his Peterborough home to play home matches at Holker Street. But he made that radical step because his contract is up at the end of the season and he needs to impress if he is to secure a new deal at this level. The 28-year-old has been limited to 17 appearances this season because of tendonitis in his Achilles. Jelleyman said: "There is no way I envisaged I would be playing for Barrow at the end of this season, but I have missed three months of the season and I want to be playing games. "My contract comes to an end in the summer and I'm keen to put myself in the shop window. "I'm grateful for Barrow giving me the opportunity and it has gone pretty well so far with us getting some decent results. "It takes me four hours to drive up there, but I am still training with Rushden – I couldn't do it otherwise." ------------- Woodhouse: Stags players fear for their places now Saturday, April 11, 2009, 07:30Comment on this story CURTIS Woodhouse says the dropping of Jonathan D'Laryea shows that no one's place in a Mansfield side managed by David Holdsworth is safe. D'Laryea had played every game since the current boss was appointed at the turn of the year until he was left out against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday. Woodhouse, who took over the captaincy in the former Manchester City man's absence, has previously found himself omitted on occasions. And he insists players now know they have to perform if they want to hold onto their place. "We were very disappointing at Wrexham and let ourselves down and the gaffer wasn't very happy," said Woodhouse. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D894125/acc_random%3D1037190097/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"He has already shown that he is not frightened to make changes when that's the case and he showed it again on Tuesday night. "Jon's been very consistent, but he was one of those who paid the price this time. "David won't let us take our eye off the ball as players and if we do then we won't be playing – it's simple." But Woodhouse is backing D'Laryea to bounce back strongly from his setback. He rates the Mancunian, who has played well over 100 games for Mansfield in their midfield engine room, very highly. Woodhouse said: "It's always disappointing for any player to be dropped and I'm sure he'll be no different. "He is still young, but he is a strong character who I think has a very good future in the game. "I spoke to him just before the Ebbsfleet game and told him to keep his head up and not get too down." Barrow travel to Field Mill this afternoon just three points above the Blue Square Premier drop zone. But Woodhouse insists Mansfield will be up for the fight. "We showed we can play it when we get the chance with the performance on Tuesday and we have already shown we can mix it when we need to," he said. "We have a couple of strings to our bow." ----------------------- Stags' Somner wary of Barrow threat Saturday, April 11, 2009, 07:00Comment on this story THERE is nothing more likely to turn the form book upside down than the climax of a relegation dogfight – as Mansfield Town already know to their cost. This time last year the Stags were plotting their great escape from demotion out of the Football League. All seemed to be going to plan when Mansfield beat Shrewsbury 3-1 in their penultimate game of the season thanks to Michael Boulding's hat-trick. And when fellow strugglers Dagenham trailed 2-0 on the penultimate Saturday of the season, as Mansfield were drawing with Rotherham, salvation for Paul Holland's side looked a distinct possibility. Yet within a matter of minutes, disaster struck as the Daggers powered back to claim a 3-2 lead while the Stags went a goal down against the Millers. %3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D893354/acc_random%3D9627784542/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3EAs the two scorelines remained unchanged, Mansfield, painfully, were all but down and relegation was confirmed in midweek. The thing that had really hurt the Stags was Dagenham's win from such a perilous position. It highlights how teams desperate for the points can be just as difficult to play in the closing weeks of the season as those at the top. Mansfield midfielder Matt Somner was not at Field Mill for last season's woes as he was still a Notts County player. But he is still well aware how dangerous sides fighting the drop can be – such as this afternoon's visitors Barrow. "These games are just as tough as playing the teams at the top who are wanting the points for the title, if not harder," said Somner. "Barrow will be desperate not to go back down and they will be fighting and scrapping for every ball – it will be like a cup final for them. "It would be nice to get a bit of revenge on Barrow because no one likes to be beaten twice by the same team twice in one season (Mansfield lost 2-1 at Holker Street in August). "There are a couple of teams in this league who are direct and they might be one of them. "But there is a great example in Histon in that it's all about playing to your strengths. "We have to be able to adapt and cope with anything that another team throws at us. We have to deal with it." For Somner the last week has come as something of a relief, despite mixed results. Having been banned for three games after being sent off against Forest Green for kicking out, he has been delighted to get back into action. He said: "I can't stand being on the sidelines You just want to be out there and you are heading every ball for the lads, even though you are not on the pitch. "It is frustrating, but I know it was my own fault to get suspended. As soon as I had done it, I was thinking 'what have I done that for?' "Although I am a player who likes to get stuck in I'm not a dirty player and I think I have only been sent off once, maybe twice, before in my career. I will learn from that." Mansfield responded well to heavy criticism from manager David Holdsworth after last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Wrexham by beating Ebbsfleet by the same score at Field Mill on Tuesday night. Somner felt the players deserved that tongue-lashing in North Wales for failing to find anything approaching top gear. "We feel we have a side capable of beating any team in this league," he said. "That's why we are so disappointed when things go wrong like they did at Wrexham when we never really got going," he said. "We all know that we let ourselves down and we can't put our finger on why that happened. It was good to have the Ebbsfleet game so soon after Wrexham because we knew we let down the fans who travelled there – and the gaffer. "He's come in and got right behind us and that last Saturday was not what we are all about and we wanted to get it out of our system quickly." Taking on some of the division's lesser lights, Stevenage aside, between now and the end of the season, Somner is determined that Mansfield finish with a flourish. ----------------- |
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