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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from September 2010

COME AND WATCH THE STAGS ON NON-LEAGUE DAY
10th September 2010 12:35


FOREST FANS CAN SEE STAGS V TAMWORTH FOR A TENNER:
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2141824,00.html?

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02 September 2010
David Holdsworth video interview --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~2142733,00.html

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video interview with Chris Smith (excellent, don't miss it)
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2141924,00.html

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Stags surpass all expectations to head the table
CHAD.co.uk, 02 September 2010, By John Lomas

EVEN though he knew he had assembled a good squad on a tight budget, even Stags boss David Holdsworth could not have imagined his side would be top of the table above all the big money clubs after just six games ahead of Saturday's visit of Tamworth.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-surpass-all-expectations-to.6509626.jp

"It does feel quite strange, but we are delighted to be there," he said. "But I am not the sort of person who goes overboard on it. We just stay focussed on our jobs and responsibilities.

"I didn't get too frustrated when the fans booed me last season as I understood their frustrations in wanting success.

"And they must understand the position I have been in over the summer when I have worked very hard with the chairman and previous chairman to do our best for the football club which has been very difficult at times.

"Now I feel overwhelmed by the people giving us a lot of credit and praise which is lovely."

With the strong squad he currently has all fully fit and some players kicking their heels Holdworth admitted he didn't need any more players before Tuesday's transfer deadline and didn't even bother asking the question of the board.

"I didn't bother asking about signing Richard Brodie (who went from York to Crawley) as I think Andy Saunders (chairman) might have had a heart attack," he smiled.

With no reserve side and a smaller squad, he cannot afford to play full 11 v 11 training games and said that once the loan market re-opened he would be happy to let some of his fringe players out on loan to get some football under their belts if it was right for the player and for the football club.

Saturday's opponents Tamworth have made a decent start too and Holdsworth added: "They are a strong side who have recently beaten Luton and drawn with Cambridge and at Newport.

"They have put together a strong squad which is credit to Gary Mills.
"But we want to retain our position at the top if we can, albeit on goal difference.

"We don't feel any pressure as we are not expected to be where we are. We read the Non-League Paper on team's finances which was a credible document as I have done my own research as well.

"We are up against a lot of sides with greater financial clout but we will roll our sleeves up and work as hard as possible.

"Hopefully Tamworth will come here and play and try to express themselves and it should then be a good game. They have good wingers and pace up top and they play to those strengths."

Stags will be hoping their current position will tempt a few fans back as, in debt and well short of their break-even figure, the club saw less than 2,000 home fans come through the gate to support them last weekend.

"We understand the financial world we are living in and money is tight for a lot of people out there," said Holdsworth. "We were very grateful to over 350 hardcore fans who went to Altrincham and gave us such good vocal support.

"If we could get that sort of backing again on Saturday the players would be appreciative. We do need people coming through the door."

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Perry has nothing to prove on return to Mansfield
By matt panter sports editor, thisistamworth.co.uk, 02 September 2010

TAMWORTH'S man of the moment Kyle Perry returns to his former club – new league leaders Mansfield Town – this Saturday insisting: 'I have nothing to prove'.

http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/tamworthfc/Perry-prove-return-Mansfield/article-2595300-detail/article.html?

The Lambs striker bagged three goals in two games over the Bank Holiday weekend as Tamworth conquered Luton Town 3-1 on Saturday and drew 2-2 at Kidderminster.

And Perry is looking to add to his tally as the Lambs head to the table-topping Stags.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "But I'm not treating it any differently to any other game to be honest with you.

"It's just another game where we need to go and get three points.

"I don't have a point to prove to anyone. The manager (David Holdsworth) knows what I can do and, to be fair, he texted me 'well done' when I scored my first Tamworth goal.

"My time at Mansfield was a bit of a roller-coaster. I had good times and bad ones but there was no animosity.

"I'm not sure what reaction I will get from the fans. Whether I get a good or bad reception, I will deal with it."

Perry believes he is finding his feet at Tamworth now and is enjoying his lone role.

"I've played up top on my own in the past but that's been in teams who lump the ball forward," he said.

"Tamworth are obviously different and play percentage football, keeping the ball and building up patiently.

"I was a bit frustrated in pre-season but I'm learning to be patient now and things are going well.

"I'm working hard and feel like I'm getting rewards. To be playing in an unselfish role but to have scored four goals so far, well, I'm delighted."

Tamworth have no injury problems with Stefan Oakes (calf) set to return. However, Aaron Farrell has been released, with the club having signed Ben Wilkinson last week.

Manager Gary Mills said: "We have set the benchmark with our performance against Luton. Now I want us push on and improve on the level set.

"We respect this league and teams in it but we don't fear anyone. Mansfield is another tough test but we will be going there to win the game.

"We are capable. The lads here are strong physically and mentally. They just have to have the belief."

Michael Wylde and Alex Rodman have been placed on stand-by for England C's friendly against Wales on September 14.

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Sandwith stakes a claim
CHAD.co.uk, 02 September 2010, By John Lomas

AFTER scoring on his debut and playing his part in two successive clean sheets this week, Stags defender Kevin Sandwith is aiming to keep hold of the left back shirt.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Sandwith-stakes-a-claim.6509615.jp

"I was disappointed to be left out at the start of the season though I knew when I joined that we had strong competition for places," he said. "But with Paul Stonehouse's injury it has given me a chance to come in and play a few games.

"Now I wantto keep hold of the jersey. It is good to have other players pushing you for your place. When you know you are playing every week you can let your standards slip. Under pressure every week gives you that extra edge to perform every week.

"We had a good pre-season. It is a new set of lads but we have gelled quickly. We are top on merit and we have got to stay there and push all season. We are just letting everyone else get on with their jobs and we will get on with ours.

"A lot is said about how much money other clubs have got and size of squads. But they are only conference players they are buying. They may be on more money than us but they are no better than us."

That view was echoed by midfielder Tyrone Thompson, who said: "People put a value on players but when we go out on a Saturday it is still 11 versus 11. It doesn't bother me.

"There is a lot more pressure on those other teams than us as they are spending big money. But I know the quality of players we have here and the depth of our squad.

"We can surprise a few people. But it is still early doors and we have got to keep our feet on the ground and keep doing what we are doing.
"We are proud to keep two clean sheets on the bounce as we know we are capable of scoring goals at the other end.

"We can't get carried away this early. We have to take each game and keep plodding on."

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Defender Smith: Fleetwood defeat did Mansfield good
Evening Post, By matt halfpenny, 2 Sep 2010

CHRIS Smith believes Mansfield Town's 3-0 setback at Fleetwood has been the springboard for their climb to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Defender-Smith-Fleetwood-defeat-did-Mansfield-good/article-2597727-detail/article.html?

The Stags are level on 13 points with AFC Wimbledon and Crawley but lead the way on goals scored.

Their rise to the summit comes after successive wins and clean sheets over the Bank Holiday.

Defender Smith, who has played a key role in keeping the Stags watertight at the back, said: "We had the blip at Fleetwood when me and some of the other lads didn't play well.


"But that defeat was maybe what we needed. We know what we have in the dressing room in terms of ability.

"But sometimes you can get complacent and after we beat Forest Green in the first game, maybe that was the case a little bit.

"You can't ask for any more than what we have done since."

Smith, who faces his former Tamworth team-mates on Saturday, added: "We can't get carried away.

"The last two games the opposition have only had two or three shots and we have to work hard to keep it that way."

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Mansfield can compete with big spenders, says midfielder Thompson
Evening Post, By matt halfpenny, 3 Sep 2010
TYRONE Thompson believes Mansfield Town can compete with the Blue Square Bet Premier big spenders.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Mansfield-compete-big-spenders-says-midfielder-Thompson/article-2600744-detail/article.html?

Luton are favourites to take the title because of their sizeable budget and mega-rich Crawley under-lined their aspirations this week by signing York City hot-shot Richard Brodie.

Among the other clubs understood to be paying out hefty wages are Grimsby, Fleetwood, Cambridge and AFC Wimbledon.

But Thompson said: "The pressure isn't on us – the pressure is on the other teams who are spending big money.

"All we do is concentrate on what we are doing because we know we have the quality and depth of squad to do well.

"You can put a value on players, but when you go out there it is still 11 v 11. It doesn't bother me what players are getting paid at some other clubs.

"We are paid to win games and when we go out on a Saturday, that is what we try to do.

"I know the ability we have and if we keep doing the right things, then maybe we could surprise a few people.

"But we are aware it is early doors still and we have to keep doing what we have been to get to the top of the table.

"Wins like at Altrincham (4-0 on Monday) are good for confidence and hopefully we will take it into the Tamworth game tomorrow."

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Spotlight on Mansfield Town v Tamworth
Evening Post, By matt halfpenny, 3 Sep 2010

Mansfield (from): Marriott, Collett, Silk, Preece, C. Smith, Foster, Naylor, Sandwith, Briscoe, Cain, Mills, Thompson, Nix, Somner, Istead, A. Smith, Williams, Parker, Connor, Medley, Duffy, Gregory.

Tamworth (from): Atkins, Tait, Marshall, Wylde, Barrow, Bradley, Smith, Wilkinson, Rodman, Perry, Thomas, Lyttle, Sheridan MacKenzie, Oakes, Mitchell, Lake-Gaskin.

Team news: Mansfield are likely to be without Paul Stonehouse (thigh) but otherwise hope to be at full strength.

Tamworth also go in with a clean bill of health with Stefan Oakes (calf) now on the road to recovery.

One to watch: Daniel Bradley. The 19-year-old was released by Aston Villa in the summer but has already impressed with his ability to burst into the box and score vital goals.

Manager: Gary Mills. The former Notts County and Nottingham Forest player is in his second spell at the New Lamb and led the club to a 16th place finish in the Blue Square Bet Premier last season.

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Perry backs Tamworth to do well at old club Mansfield Town
Evening Post, By matt halfpenny, 3 Sep 2010

THIS time last season, Kyle Perry was on a charge for Mansfield Town. Now he hopes his current rich vein of form can sink them.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Perry-backs-Tamworth-old-club-Mansfield-Town/article-2600290-detail/article.html?

The big striker signed for the Stags last summer for two years, hoping for lasting success after failing to hold down a regular place at League Two Port Vale.

Things initially went swimmingly for the former Chasetown player, as he started the season on a hot streak.

Two goals in Mansfield's opening day 4-0 win over Crawley were the start of six goals in his first ten games (including his expunged effort at Chester).

At that point, as he kept vastly experienced hitman Daryl Clare out of the side, a 20-goal season beckoned.

But then things began to go wrong, mainly, in the first instance, because of injury problems.

A thigh problem hampered the 24-year-old either side of Christmas and then, in the New Year, he became an increasingly peripheral figure because of the emergence of Jake Speight.

The arrival of Jon Shaw later in the campaign also limited his chances.

With 12 months still to run on his contract, Perry was allowed to leave the Stags for Tamworth in the summer as boss David Holdsworth juggled his finances to bring in Paul Connor, Keigan Parker and Luke Medley.

He has settled in just as quickly at the New Lamb as he did in north Nottinghamshire and already has four goals to his name in six games for Gary Mills' side.

Perry is hoping to add to that tally tomorrow on his first return to Field Mill, having netted twice in Tamworth's 2-2 draw at Kidderminster on Bank Holiday Monday.

"I have some really good memories from my time at Mansfield and I'd hoped it wasn't just a passing thing and I would be in it for the long run when I signed," he said.

"But I had to move on in the end, which was best for all parties.

"It isn't that long since I left that I am going back and maybe if it was a few more years down the line it would be more of an occasion. But you just have to treat it like it is any other game.

"I know the lads are buzzing about going there because Stags are a big club and it is a match they can hopefully enjoy.

"I have been playing up front on my own, which is hard work, but the goals have been coming and I have been taking my chances.

"It would be nice to score in this one, but I'm more interested in the team doing well."

Last season, Mansfield were beaten 2-0 at home by Tamworth in the FA Trophy before the Lambs earned a 0-0 draw at Field Mill in March.

With Mansfield in a rich vein of form, Perry knows it will be tough for the visitors this time, but still backs them to do well.

He said: "Mansfield are flying, but we have already shown we can beat a team of their esteem when we took out Luton last weekend.

"It was a comfortable win as well, there was nothing fortunate about it, and we put three goals past them.

"Mansfield will go into the game as favourites with it being at their place, but we can keep the ball for long periods and are patient."

Perry is pleased to see old friend Louis Briscoe starting the season well for Mansfield, having started all six games for the Stags so far.

"I'm got some really good friends there and Louis is probably the best of them." he said.

"We had more than our few laughs and scrapes when we were together. It's good to see he's playing well and getting in the side week in, week out.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what reaction I get from the Mansfield fans. Whether its boos or cheers, I think it will spur me on.

"We will give it our best shot and even if we go a goal down, the good thing about this Tamworth squad is that they never give in."

Just like, no matter how he played, Perry always did in a Mansfield shirt.

Forest season ticket holders can gain admission to the Quarry Lane stand tomorrow at reduced prices of £10 (adults) and £5 concessions when presenting their season ticket books.

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Lambs ready for reunion with Mansfield Town defender
thisistamworth.co.uk, 02 September 2010

FORMER Lambs skipper Chris Smith has warned his Mansfield team-mates they must be 100 per cent on their game this Saturday, writes Matt Panter.

http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/tamworthfc/Lambs-ready-reunion-Mansfield-Town-defender/article-2595317-detail/article.html?

Smith quit Tamworth in the summer to join the Stags at Field Mill and has enjoyed early success with Mansfield topping the Conference.

But he has watched with interest as Tamworth have started positively.

Smith said: "I'm looking forward to the game and we have to make sure that we are up for the battle or we will be turned over.

"I think some people say 'make sure you don't under-estimate Tamworth' but that shouldn't be the case anyway.

"Tamworth are a good side in their own right, very much establishing themselves at this level, so why would you under-estimate them?

"I know that we will be in for a tough afternoon on Saturday. Tamworth are more than capable of coming here and getting a win.

"Gary Mills will have the lads up for it, there's no question about that and we have to match their effort and desire.

"But I'm looking forward to the challenge. I still keep in touch with a lot of the lads.

"We had a great bunch of lads at Tamworth last season but I'm enjoying my time at Mansfield now and we have had a good start.

"But it's still early days and just as you can go on a good run, it's easy to have a bad one in this division."

Smith added that he is not surprised at Tamworth's positive start this season – and knows he is in for a tough afternoon against Kyle Perry.

"Gary (Mills) has done a great job of forming a squad again by the looks of it and it's no surprise," Smith added.

"He is very good at finding individuals and fitting them into the way he wants to play the game.

"He does a great job on a low budget and full credit to him. Kyle (Perry) is one of the good signings he has made and he will have a point to prove against his old club.

"I've played against him before and he's a handful but I'm looking forward to that battle."

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Stags discount for Forest fans
CHAD.co.uk, 02 September 2010, By John Lomas

NOTTINGHAM FOREST season ticket holders can watch Mansfield Town's home match to Tamworth for just £10 this Saturday, the Stags have announced.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-discount-for-Forest-fans.6509618.jp

Mansfield, who currently sit at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier, have opened their gates to Reds' fans as part of the division's 'non-League day'.

Forest season ticket holders can sit anywhere in the Field Mill stadium for just £10 (adults) and £5 (concessions).

Said Stags' chairman Andrew Saunders: "We would welcome any Forest fans to Field Mill this Saturday and would love to see them supporting one of their local non-league sides.

"We have enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Forest over the years and this Saturday is an ideal time for their fans to experience a taste of non-league football, with no Championship fixture this weekend."

Reds' fans can pay on the day of the game and can receive the discount simply by showing their Forest season ticket book to the turnstile operator.

Former City Ground favourite Gary Mills is in charge of opponents Tamworth, who lie 10th in the table.

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Latest | September 2010