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Archived News from September 2010

YORK PREVIEWS
27th September 2010 17:00


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Mansfield striker Parker warned after red card woe
Evening Post, Tues

KEIGAN Parker was today warned to sharpen up his act if he wants to make a success of his time at Mansfield Town.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Mansfield-striker-Parker-warned-red-card-woe/article-2665418-detail/article.html?

The striker was sent off just 25 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Newport County.

Former Blackpool and Oldham man Parker will be suspended for the Stags' next three games, including tonight's home clash with York City.

Manager David Holdsworth has fined the Scot and held talks with him to make known his disappointment.

"Keigan has held his hands up for it and also been told in no uncertain terms by myself that I won't accept that type of behaviour," said Holdsworth.

"He is professional enough to know he has let us all down, including the fans.

"Everyone understands he has come here with a reputation as a goalscorer and a very talented centre forward who has played at a higher level.

"But he must conform and be part of this squad in every way. That goes for everyone at the club."

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Midfield duo to miss out?
CHAD.co.uk, Sep 20 2010

MIDFIELD duo Steven Istead and Kyle Nix are big doubts for Mansfield Town's tough home game with York City tomorrow night (7.45pm).

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/midfield_duo_to_miss_out_1_1555057

Both suffered nasty injuries in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Newport County and will be on the treatment table alongside Luke Medley today.

“Steven was in a great deal of pain when he came off on Saturday and we were initially worried he had ruptured medial ligaments which, thankfully, doesn't appear to be the case,” said boss David Holdsworth.

“I am sure he will want to be involved if he can tomorrow but it looks unlikely.

“Kyle has a very sore shin after taking a coward's tackle at the end of the game on Saturday.

“(Paul) Bignot was sent off for that with a second yellow but, to me, it deserved and warranted a straight red as he went over the ball while Kyle was brave in the challenge and went for the ball.”

Medley has injuries to both shins but may recover in time to rejoin the squad after missing out on Saturday.

If Holdsworth loses Nix and Istead he may be forced to revert back to 4-4-2, having employed 4-4-3 in the last two games.

Visitors York were losing play-off finalists last season though have since lost goalscoring talisman Richard Brodie to moneybags Crawley Town.

However, Holdsworth warned: “They sold Brodie for a large amount of money and have brought in Leon Constantine so they are still a very well-equipped football club and this will be a very tough game. We will give them the respect they deserve.

“We know we deserved at least a point at Newport on Saturday. We lost to Tamworth and Newport but we didn't get much luck in either game which we are probably due.”

York have drawn three of their four away games to date but a first away win of the season tomorrow would lift them above Mansfield.

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Mansfield defender keen to forget Newport defeat with York win
Evening Post

DEFEAT is never easy to take, all the more so when you feel you don't deserve it.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Mansfield-defender-keen-forget-Newport-defeat-York-win/article-2664111-detail/article.html?

That's why Mansfield Town's Chris Smith was particularly disappointed with Saturday's 1-0 reverse at Newport County.

Having beaten Kidderminster 3-1, Altrincham 4-0 and Southport 2-1 in their previous three road trips, confidence was high in the Stags camp as they headed across the border.

And the performance, against a capable Newport side still riding on the high of last season's Blue Square Bet South Premier title win, was more than creditable.

But the combination of a wonder strike by Danny Rose, together with Mansfield's failure to take their own chances, saw them make the long journey back empty handed.

Still, there has not been long for the Stags defender to stew.

Tonight, he will be back in action as Mansfield host York City at Field Mill.

"We knew what to expect going to Newport because they have been unbeaten there for well over a year," said Smith.

"They have also had a good start and are well organised and we knew we would have to be on our game.

"But we were. We were on it from the vert first minute.

"They tried to pack out the midfield to try to counteract what we were doing and they also didn't play their target man from the start, which was a shock.

"But I suppose that was a credit to us in that they changed their system for playing us.

"We felt hard done by with the result because we more than held our own and their goal was the one real shot they had.

"The good thing is that we have not had to wait long before having the chance to put things right.

"We have had a couple of training sessions to go over a few things, but the York match has soon come around."

Smith has been encouraged with the way Mansfield are playing, even if their results have been inconsistent.

And he insists the team will be upbeat going into the York clash, despite their setback in South Wales.

Smith said: "As a defender you are always looking how comfortable you are in games. It was a battle at Newport, but at the same time we were still fairly comfortable.

"At the other end, we had two or three good chances ourselves and a couple cleared off the line.

"Even when we were down to ten, we were the side doing the attacking, which says a lot about the lads' character.

"We were all a bit down after the game and words were said in the dressing room, not by the gaffer, but between the players.

"But they were positive words and sometimes you need that to move forward."

Smith feels Mansfield are not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

But he has been around for long enough to know all that can quickly change as the prepare for the visit of Martin Foyle's side.

The Stags will be out to avenge a 1-0 defeat in March that effectively ended their play-off challenge last season.

"It is not going to be easy. We all know York are a good side," said Smith. "We didn't seem to have much luck at Newport, but hopefully our luck will change in the games to come – that is what you hope.

"Maybe our strikers might hit a shot that hits four defenders before going in."

Boss David Holdsworth has played a 4-3-3 formation for Mansfield's last two games.

But he may be forced to change things to 4-4-2 should Steven Istead (knee) and Kyle Nix (shin) be unable to shake off injuries.

Holdsworth said: "I don't want to change things too much and I haven't on many occasions this term. I'm trying to keep a settled side.

"The back four are certainly doing well. I have got some options, but I am going to leave it until the last minute before deciding which way to go."

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