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Archived News from February 2010

ARMSTRONG JOINS FGR ON LOAN + HOLMES INTERVIEW
25th February 2010 16:51


Craig Armstrong will join Forest Green Rovers on loan until the end of the season --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1973950,00.html

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Scott Garner video interview, including on Craig Armstrong --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1973739,00.html

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Armstrong out on loan
CHAD.co.uk, 22 February 2010
Veteran defender Craig Armstrong today joined Forest Green Rovers until the end of the season.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Armstrong-out-on-loan.6093713.jp

The 34-year-old has made 17 starts and two substitute appearances this term and has joined Rovers to fulfil his need of regular first team football.

"Craig is an experienced campaigner and has played his part in our squad this season," manager David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net

"He has joined Forest Green to help him gain more match action and to improve his fitness levels."

Stags have the option to recall Armstrong after one month.

Forest Green currently sit in 22nd place in the Blue Square Premier and one point off safety.

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Gareth Holmes video interview, Monday 22 Feb 2010 --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1973400,00.html
Hotchkiss back in contention
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 22 Feb 2010
Midfielder Oliver Hotchkiss has now recovered from the illness that has kept his sidelined for the past fortnight.

The former Leeds man missed out on trips to Stevenage and Tamworth but will now be considered for a place in the squad travelling to Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

First team coach Gareth Holmes welcomed him back and said: "The weekend off will have helped him. Ollie's back in training now and will probably be available for selection on Saturday. He will have a smile on his face again."

Holmes went on to say that he was disappointed with the decision to postpone Saturday's play off six pointer with Rushden & Diamonds but that he and the squad remain upbeat and used to opportunity for extra training.

"It was disappointing not to play Rushden & Diamonds as we had done all our homework and was confident.

"We looked at the pitch at 3pm and in those conditions it looked playable but the referee has made his decision and we have to respect that.

"We went into the gym on Saturday as soon as we heard the game was off.

"It was important to react to that and get something done.

"You deal with the decision given to you and we have to move on."

Looking ahead to the fixture congestion caused by a series of postponements in recent weeks, we are scheduled to play six games in March in addition to our clashes with Rushden & Diamonds and York which are yet to be rescheduled. Gareth Holmes urged supporters to see the positive side and said that the side would be fully prepared for the challenges thrown at them.

He added: "It will be great for the fans because one day you can be winning and flying in the league but then one day you're up against it.

"It will be an interesting and exciting period and will be literally 'watch this space'.

"We are prepared and you only have to look at our home record. Will teams want to come to us knowing that they're up against us for a play off place? - I don't think so."

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Home run so crucial to Stags
Evening Post, February 24, 2010

A RUN of home matches will be the key to success for Mansfield Town, says first-team coach Gareth Holmes.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Home-run-crucial-Stags/article-1860244-detail/article.html?

The Stags have played 18 matches away from Field Mill, compared with just 14 on home territory.
With the race for Blue Square Premier play-off places hotting up, being at home for the run-in could be a significant advantage.
Holmes says the players know they have to perform well in front of their home supporters.
But he says the players should not feel any added pressure just because the club are coming to the business end of the season.
"Generally speaking our home form is very good and there is only really the Gateshead game where we think we should have done a whole lot better," said Holmes.
"There are a lot of teams who will not be looking forward to coming here because they know what to expect.
"There are a lot of important games to come at Field Mill.
"You have to beat the people around you, but these are the games you want to play and the ones you look forward to."
Holmes insists Mansfield are not concerned about their poor record against the Blue Square Premier's top sides.
In eight matches against the top eight, Mansfield have only beaten leaders Oxford United.
He said: "It is not really a worry for us because in the matches we have played, we have competed.
"We drew with Kettering and Stevenage (correction by Martin - not with Stevenage) at home and we might have won both games. We were also pretty unlucky to lose at Rushden."

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