Archived News from July 2010
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NEW SIGNINGS SOON/NIX TO SPARTA/NO ELDING/COLLETT
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Two new signings before Forest match. Video interview with David Holdsworth ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2095741,00.html ----------------- Boss Holdsworth hoping to unveil three new faces at Mansfield Town Evening Post, 20 July 2010 MANSFIELD Town are poised to unveil two new signings at tomorrow night's home friendly against Nottingham Forest – and David Holdsworth also hopes to add a third new face by then. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Boss-Holdsworth-hoping-unveil-new-faces-Mansfield-Town/article-2431147-detail/article.html? The Stags boss has been working around the clock in a bid to strengthen the Stags' attacking options following the departures of Jake Speight and Kyle Perry. Kyle Nix could also be on his way out of Field Mill if a trail at Dutch Division Two side Sparta Rotterdam proves successful. But reinforcements are imminent and Holdsworth hopes the Mansfield faithful will be excited by his captures. "We expect to have at least two new signings, hopefully three, who are currently free agents," said Holdsworth. "One is a striker who has a League pedigree and the other is an attacking midfielder. "But we still recognise we need two strikers and the aim is to have a second one in for the Forest game. "It has been extremely difficult getting deals done, timing is everything. I was working on one of the deals at 11.45 on Friday night. "It's a long process, but you have to identify players who can improve that and hopefully these lads can do that." Former Bradford City man Nix was expected to play an integral part at Field Mill this season. But he is understandably keen to push his claims for a move to the Dutch Division Two side. If he does agree a deal, Mansfield will be pushing for a transfer fee as the 24-year-old is under contract for 2010-11. Holdsworth said: "It is a great opportunity for him." Meanwhile, Mansfield have signed up Niall O'Rafferty, 18. ---------------------- Double signing before Forest match? CHAD.co.uk, 19 July 2010, By John Lomas MANSFIELD Town are hoping to be able to unveil at least two exciting new signings before kick-off in Wednesday night's mouthwatering home friendly match with Championship neighbours Nottingham Forest (7.30pm). http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Double-signing-before-Forest-match.6427083.jp With the departures of Jake Speight, Kyle Perry and now, probably, Kyle Nix, Stags fans have been clamouring for the announcement of replacements. And boss David Holdsworth is confident they will be happy with the three players he has lined up, two of whom look set to sign in time to face the Reds. "We are very close to signing a very, very good striker and an attacking midfield player and would hope to get them in time to play on Wednesday night," he said. "Both are free agents and are 99 per cent certain to come. One of the deals I worked on until 11.45pm on Friday night. "I have also spoken to another striker about coming here who would be another very good signing if I can get him." -------------------- Stags midfielder Nix joins Sparta Rotterdam on trial Evening Post, 19 July 2010 MANSFIELD Town midfielder Kyle Nix has been allowed to go on trial at Sparta Rotterdam, Stags boss David Holdsworth confirmed today. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Stags-midfielder-joins-Sparta-Rotterdam-trial/article-2429918-detail/article.html The former Bradford City man was expected to play an integral part at Field Mill this season. But he is understandably keen to push his claims for a move to the Dutch Division Two side. If he does agree a deal, Mansfield will be pushing for a transfer fee as the 24-year-old is under contract for 2010-11. "Kyle has been offered a trial over there and it is a great opportunity for him," said Holdsworth. "He still has hopes of playing for Australia (Nix was born in Sydney) and they have an Australian coach in their set-up." Meanwhile, Mansfield have signed up youngster Niall O'Rafferty on a contract. The 18-year-old made his full debut for the club in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw at Frickley Athletic. "I thought he did very well on Saturday and I'm pleased he is signing for us," added Holdsworth. "He is an intelligent young man. We feel he can progress and has a bright future in front of him." ----------------------- Nix training with Sparta Rotterdam CHAD.co.uk, 19 July 2010, By John Lomas STAGS midfielder Kyle Nix is hoping a move to six-times Dutch champions Sparta Rotterdam may ignite his bid to make the Australian national side. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Nix-training-with-Sparta-Rotterdam.6427080.jp With an Australian coach at Sparta, who were relegated from the Dutch top flight last season, Nix is hopeful he can move closer to his dream and has gone over there on trial. Although he is under contract at Field Mill, Stags would be unlikely to stand in his way of such a dream move for the former Bradford City player. "Kyle has gone over there with a view to winning a contract but no deal has yet been discussed," said boss David Holdsworth. "Kyle wants to work with someone who he feels can give him an opportunity at international level and is grateful to us for giving him the chance." Holdsworth is already lining up a quality replacement attacking midfielder who could sign as soon as tomorrow. --------------------------- Stags boss Holdsworth steps up search for a striker after Elding move falls through Evening Post, 19 July 2010 DAVID Holdsworth will today step up his Mansfield Town striker search after revealing Anthony Elding was the player priced out of a move to Field Mill. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-boss-steps-search-striker/article-2427867-detail/article.html? The Stags boss baulked at a transfer fee of £30,000 quoted to clinch the services of a hitman currently plying his trade overseas. He has now admitted that was former Kettering front-runner Elding, who wants to return to home after working under new Notts County boss Craig Short at Ferencvaros Holdsworth's desire to bring in a new striker is becoming desperate as Rob Duffy (chronic appendicitis), Louis Briscoe (back) and Lee Gregory (thigh) are all currently sidelined. It means he had to play 18-year-old youngster Niall O'Lafferty as a lone forward in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw at Frickley Athletic. "I am trying my socks off to bring in someone up front, but it looks like I will now have to give up on Elding," said Holdsworth. "I had to play Steven Istead behind Niall at the weekend because I didn't have any other choice. "They both did very well under the circumstances, but we know it's imperative we strengthen up front. "Louis and Lee do have a chance to be available against Forest on Wednesday, but we will have a closer look at them today." Mansfield's goal at Frickley came courtesy of winger Adam Smith's first for the club following his summer move from York City. ------------------------------ Reaction on Frickley game: http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Smith-strikes-for-Stags.6426154.jp Boss David Holdsworth said: "It was a battle and that's what we wanted. We expected it and the players were made aware of it before. "I felt we competed well against a side that, with no disrespect to them, raised their game against us. "Saturday was a good day for us and the right type of encounter. It was what we were expecting and looking for and I would like to thank Billy Heath and Frickley for their hospitality. "What I saw bodes well for us and I was pleased with the situations we opened up." Underlining the importance of getting some new strikers into the club, Stags were forced to play Niall O'Rafferty and Istead up front. "It was difficult with only one fit striker who had only just turned 18 though I felt the young man did very well," said Holdsworth. "I sorted out a contract for Niall last week and I think the fans can recognise what we see in him. He is an intelligent young man with a good future in front of him. "I played 4-4-1-1 which worked very well and I was pleased with their attitude. "Steven Istead played very well just behind Niall and I was as delighted with Saturday as I was with beating Sheffield United. Trialist midfielder Stefan Oakes was among the second half substitutes and almost notched a late winner when clean through but shot straight at the keeper. However, Oakes has a couple of opportunities on the table from League clubs and Holdsworth said: "We will just have to wait and see what materialises. Stefan is not as fit as he would like to be and has taken the opportunity to train with us." --------------------- articles from before Frickley friendly: Collett has Holdsworth's trust at Mansfield Evening Post, 17 July 2010 NEIL Collett has already shown in pre-season why he can have a successful future in the game, manager David Holdsworth said today. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Collett-Holdsworth-s-trust-Mansfield/article-2424885-detail/article.html The 20-year-old goalkeeper has played understudy to Alan Marriott since arriving at Field Mill in January after a successful trial. The former Coventry man has yet to make a senior appearance for the club. But he impressed in his second half substitute appearance in Mansfield's first pre-season friendly of the season with Sheffield United. Collett helped the Stags to a clean sheet and 1-0 win with superb stops from Richard Cresswell and Nathan Foster. "Mazza has been my number one keeper, but we have seen Neil develop and he showed what he is capable of last week," said Holdsworth. "He is learning all the time and is certainly a young man who has a bright future. "When I went in for him he was ARTICLE ENDS ABRUPTLY ------------------ Smith relishing the fight for a place in the centre of Mansfield Town's defence Evening Post, 15 July 2010 CHRIS Smith is relishing the fight to start 2010-11 in the centre of Mansfield Town's defence. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Smith-relishing-fight-Stags-place/article-2416454-detail/article.html? The 29-year-old captained Tamworth last season in their first at Blue Square Bet Premier level, making 36 starts. But he knows that does not guarantee he will be first choice after moving to Field Mill, where the competition is hotting up. Steve Foster and Tom Naylor showed their credentials in a 1-0 friendly win over Sheffield United on Saturday, in which Smith also played his part. And latest signing Mark Preece will also be throwing in his lot. Smith insists he would not want it any other way and believes the number of options open to boss David Holdsworth can only benefit the team. "I think you need that kind of competition, it can only be a good thing," said Smith. "If you get complacent as a player and know you are going to get in the team come what may, it can start to affect your performances. "It is up to us all now to impress in pre-season to try to get the nod from the manager." The weekend clash with Kevin Blackwell's side saw Michael Boulding back in a Mansfield shirt as a trialist. And he scored in a 3-0 win against Barnsley yesterday in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Fellow trialist Jon Leonard and Ryan Williams got the others. Smith would be more than happy to see the lively frontman sign for the club for a third time. He said: "As a centre half, you look for forwards to make runs and make it uncomfortable for the defenders – and that's what he did against Sheffield United. "He linked up well and worked very hard. He's a quality player." ------------------ |
Latest | July 2010