{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from September 2009

HOLDSWORTH AND KIDDIE REACTION
17th September 2009 0:02



Mansfield 103.2 post match interview with Holdsworth -->
http://www.mansfield103.co.uk/xtra.php?e=2

BBC Radio Nottm post match interview with Holdsworth -->
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8245650.stm

BBC.co.uk: No day off for 'inept' Mansfield
Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth says his players will not be given a day off this week after their 3-1 Blue Square Premier loss at Kidderminster.

The defeat saw the Stags slip from second to third in the table.

Holdsworth told BBC Radio Nottingham that the display was inept: "I don't think the players deserve a day off.

"We need to be on the training ground and putting things right, there's only one way of doing that and it's called hard work."

He added: "That's the worst performance I've seen from my players.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and I try to be diplomatic but I didn't want to talk to my players at half-time, I'd had enough."

Before the game Holdsworth released full-back Joe Lamplough after just one week with the club.

------------------------

Stags boss Holdsworth: We just didn't turn up
Evening Post

DAVID Holdsworth labelled Mansfield Town's performance at Kidderminster last night as the worst he has endured since becoming a manager.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-boss-Holdsworth-just-didn-t-turn/article-1321963-detail/article.html

And he apologised to the 311 travelling Stags fans, insisting the players have to take a long hard look at themselves following the display.
The Stags' 3-1 defeat brought to an end a six-game unbeaten run and follows draws against Kettering and Grays.
"The players didn't turn up. They just thought they could turn up and play but they couldn't," said manager Holdsworth.
"That is the most disappointed I have been since I came here – in fact since I became a manager.
"We went in at half-time and said that the next goal would be the most important.
"But then they got another straight away with poor quality marking from a set piece, although it was a very good header (from Gavin Caines).
"We had a go, we pushed on, but it was poor. The midfield got dominated and the delivery from out wide was not there. They were dominant in wide areas.
"Give credit to Kidderminster but it was not a display I relished.
"I will carry the can for it, I have no problem with that. But all the players, Alan Marriott aside, have to take a look at themselves because they have let the fans and the staff down."
Holdsworth was frustrated that instructions were not followed, allowing Harriers plenty of freedom to rack up their biggest win of the season so far.
He said: "The players understood what was a simple procedure – to work hard and get the ball out wide.
"I am not happy with two points in three games, but I am not going to blame individuals because we have to stick together.
"All we can do is work hard on the training ground, put it out of our mind and look to Saturday (against Stevenage).
"The officials were inconsistent but that did not alter the result because we were dreadful."

---------------------

'We didn't turn up', admits dejected boss Holdsworth after defeat
CHAD.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill
DISAPPOINTED Stags boss David Holdsworth said his players 'didn't turn up' for Tuesday night's 3-1 horror defeat at Kidderminster.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/39We-didn39t-turn-up39-admits.5628483.jp

Stags were second best throughout as Kidderminster bossed the midfield and tormented the Mansfield defence with their free-flowing football.

Goals at the start of each half left the visitors with a mountain to climb, and despite a late penalty save from keeper Alan Marriott and a last gasp Rob Duffy penalty, the Stags still slipped to their second defeat of the season.

Afterwards Holdsworth said: "I have asked the players to have a look at themselves, they did not turn up today.

"That is the most disappointed I have been at this club.

"At half-time we said the next goal would be the most important and we tried to chase the game, but we were outplayed in the midfield and did not do enough in wide areas."

The only player to be exempt from the manager's criticism was keeper Marriott, after his late penalty save.

Holdsworth added: "He is a keeper I regard highly and he cannot be blamed for what happened tonight."

Despite the poor defeat Stags remain inside the play-off zone and in good shape as they look to get back to winning ways against Stevenage on Saturday.

----------------------

HARRIERS heroes Darryl Knights and David McDermott talk about the 3-1 win over Mansfield Town
VIDEO --->
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/harriers/news/4587882.VIDEO__Dynamic_duo_s_Stags_delight/?ref=rss

-------------------

Howarth - let's build on Stags wins
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/harriers/news/4588231.Howarth___let_s_build_on_Stags_wins/?ref=rss

ASSISTANT Manager Neil Howarth believes Harriers can use Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Mansfield to kick-start their season in the Blue Square Premier.

Goals for Matthew Barnes-Homer, Gavin Caines and Chris McPhee ensured that the Aggborough outfit got back on track after two defeats.

The performance was impressive as Mansfield are hotly-tipped for promotion this season.

Afterwards, Howarth insisted that Harriers must build on this performance at Histon on Saturday.

Howarth said: "We can all be very pleased with ourselves but we've talked about consistency in the past and it doesn't mean much if we take a step back in the next couple of weeks.

"We have to use this as a benchmark. This could be the start of the season for us and we've got to kick on from it."

Howarth refused to be drawn on the antics of Mansfield's Kyle Perry, who provoked Martin Riley to lash out at him in the second half.

"I've played with Kyle Perry at Telford and I've seen him get that many people sent off and whether they've all deserved it I can't say," commented the assistant manager.

-----------------------------

Dynamic duo delights Yates
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/harriers/news/4589718.Dynamic_duo_delights_Yates/?ref=rss

By Peter McKinney »

AFTER watching his side dismantle highly-rated Mansfield at Aggborough, Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates believes that several members of his squad have realised what it takes to make their mark in the Blue Square Premier.

Yates was delighted with his team as they bounced back from defeats to Tamworth and Eastbourne by putting in-form Stags to the sword on Tuesday.

Victory ensured the Worcestershire side are part of a group keeping the pressure on the top sides, with Harriers only three points behind fifth-placed Tamworth.

Even more heartening for Yates was the performances of fringe players David McDermott and Darryl Knights, who showed they have what it takes at the top level of non-league football.

Now Yates wants the duo and the rest of the squad to banish Harriers' inconsistency and build on their impressive win when they go to Histon on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

“I thought that several of the players finally got what this league is all about,”commented Yates.

“I spoke to David [McDermott] and Darryl [Knights] and told them they were playing and they responded well.

“I don't want to single out anybody because the whole team played very well. As great a performance as it was, I don't want this to be a one-off, we've got to use the momentum from this game and really push on from there.

“We've beaten a team that had a great start to the season and we're only four points behind them now.

“Now we have to keep the same standards and continue to get results.”

Tuesday night's victory would have also won over fans who have been disgruntled by recent defeats.

Yates believes that only together will the club be able to make a sustained bid for the play-offs.

He said: “I understand that the fans want to be inspired by the team but their support on Tuesday was a big lift.

“They watched Matthew Barnes-Homer chase down Mansfield's full-back and sensed we were up for it and got behind us.

“I genuinely believe that we're all in this together. We all want what's best for the club so let's do it as a group.”

Striker Robbie Matthews is set to be out for the next two weeks after aggravating his groin injury against Eastbourne on Saturday. However, midfielder John Finnigan could be fit for Saturday's trip to Cambridgeshire after hurting his ankle at the weekend.

n Harriers' youth team start the FA Youth Cup tonight (7.30pm kick-off) with a home clash against Coventry Sphinx in the preliminary round.

 

Latest | September 2009