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Archived News from November 2010

HAYES PREVIEWS
21st November 2010 14:39


Mansfield v Hayes & Yeading
Nov 18 2010, By Chris Slavin

http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-sport/hayesandyeading/2010/11/18/mansfield-v-hayes-yeading-113046-27675231/?

HAYES & Yeading will take on a Mansfield side in turmoil on Saturday after Stags sacked David Holdsworth as manager.

Assistant boss Duncan Russell has been placed in temporary charge for the visit of Garry Haylock's men, who are in desperate need of a victory as they are currently anchored in the relegation zone.

A statement released by Stags said that Holdsworth had departed after "an unacceptable run of results", but they entertain a Hayes & Yeading side that will be bidding to end a run of four straight defeats in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

They will be boosted by the return of centre-back Tom Cadmore (pictured) after he served a one-match ban in the defeat against Grimsby Town, while Lewis Ferrell is likely to return at right-back in place of Nathan Webb, who was sent off against Grimsby.

Meanwhile, Hayes & Yeading midfielder Bradley Pritchard says that his side must not push the panic button and become a route one side to get out of trouble.

The ex-Tamworth man said: "It was very frustrating against Grimsby last Saturday (3-0 home defeat)– we got no bit of luck.

"But the gaffer said we've just got to keep believing. We're not equipped to play any other way, and we haven't got six-foot plus guys all over the pitch."

United travel to Mansfield on Saturday with Pritchard certain this Hayes team is a better outfit than the one he left at Tamworth in the summer.

He said: "There are similarities between ourselves and Tamworth, but we're technically a better team."

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Spotlight on Mansfield Town v Hayes and Yeading
Evening Post, 19 Nov 2010

Line-up: Pilkington, Collett, Cook, Silk, Day, Grand. Naylor, Sandwith, Stonehouse, Briscoe, Cain, Thompson, Murray, Istead, Smith, Parker, Vincenti, Connor, Medley, Mitchley, Duffy.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Spotlight-Mansfield-Town-v-Hayes-Yeading/article-2913755-detail/article.html?

Line-up (from): Bulmer, Hand, Green, Bygrave, Holmes, Pritchard, Wassmer, Buchanan, Yiadom, Deen, Malcolm, Patulea, Hyde, Ferrell, McLean, Lennie.

Team news: Mansfield will be without long-term absentees Alan Marriott (groin) and Kyle Nix (ankle), while skipper Steve Foster is suspended after being sent off in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Forest Green.

But Gary Silk (hamstring), Rob Duffy (groin), Luke Medley (knee) and Paul Stonehouse (thigh and shoulder) are all back in training and will hope to be fit enough to be in contention.

Paul Connor has recovered from the hamstring injury that saw him only able to come off the substitutes' bench at the New Lawn, but now has a virus, leaving his involvement in doubt. Rhys Day is back from a three-game ban.

Team news: England C international Tom Cadmore returns after serving a one-game ban against Grimsby but Nathan Webb is out after being sent off in the defeat to the Mariners. Goalkeeper Paul Harrison (thigh) is working his way back to full fitness but unlikely to figure.

One to watch: Adrian Patulea. The Romanian-born striker, on loan from Leyton Orient, has scored twice in seven games since joining the struggling Londoners.

Manager: Garry Haylock. Became the first manager of the newly-amalgamated Hayes and Yeading in May 2007 and led them to promotion via the play-offs, at the end of 2008-09.

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VIDEO: Russell eyeing play off spot ---->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2224153,00.html?
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 18 Nov 2010

Assistant Manager Duncan Russell believes that the current squad is more than capable of finishing in the top five this season.

Despite winning just one of our last nine league fixtures, we sit only four points outside the play offs - a gap which Russell believes can be closed easily starting with a win against Hayes & Yeading this weekend.

Speaking to the press this morning he said: "We want to win the game but we've seen upsets in this league before - which is not an excuse because of course we want to win the game. It's going to be time to roll up our sleeves and it will be a battle on Saturday but pound for pound, with our players, I expect to go out there and win.

"We want a victory for the players and more importantly the fans. They deserve a victory and we deserve a victory which we will try and get on Saturday.

"I feel that we have a good enough squad to compete in this league and get into the play offs. If we went up automatically then great but I think we have to look at getting into the play offs and getting promotion that way.

"I think if we had our rub of the green and not had the sending offs we would be in the play offs now because we play good football. It is imperative though to keep 11 players on the pitch to give yourself a fighting chance."

David Holdsworth warned his players earlier this week over indiscipline after the side picked up a fifth red card of the season at Forest Green last weekend. Russell said that the players are mindful of just how costly any ill discipline can be.

He added: "The Gaffer obviously sat them down and spoke to them about discipline and they have responded well.

"We try and keep a settled squad and then someone gets send off which unsettles everybody. We've had five red cards and it depletes the team so they have to have self discipline.

"We are getting games coming thick and fast so we need to keep the side free of yellow and red cards and it all comes down to self discipline."

In team news, skipper Steve Foster will miss out on Saturday's fixture as he serves the first of a three match suspension following his dismissal at Forest Green a week ago.

Meanwhile, Rhys Day is available again after completing his three match suspension at the New Lawn.

In injury news, Paul Stonehouse and Luke Medley should both be in contention for a place this weekend after recovering from their respective thigh and knee injuries.

Rob Duffy (groin) and Gary Silk (hamstring) are not expected to fit but have shown signs of improvement in training whilst top scorer Paul Connor has fully recovered from a hamstring strain but is suffering from a virus and has been asked to stay away from the club to prevent it spreading.

In other news, Kyle Nix (ankle ligaments) is expected to be ruled out for a further three weeks.

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VIDEO: We must show courage - Murray --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2224179,00.html?
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 18 Nov 2010

Adam Murray says that the whole side is determined to end a barren run of form with a win against Hayes & Yeading at Field Mill on Saturday.

We go into the game in 10th position after winning only one of our last eight league games - a position which the centre half is keen to improve on.

He said: "Saturday is a massive game for everyone involved. Now is the time to step up. We can't keep going on the way we have been going.

"We are making too many stupid mistakes and now it is time to stand up as footballers, show courage and put things right.

"If you have not got people strong enough to take control then it (losing) can become a habit but I think we have people in the dressing room who are strong enough.

"I would be lying if I said everyone is happy as Larry because we are losing but we know we are a good team and are a side which can stop doing those stupid things we are doing and cut out those mistakes.

"There are a lot of us who have been in the game a long time who know that we have to makes things happen. It's a difficult time and things are not going our way but like I said, I've got a lot of games behind me and we've got to turn it around."

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Russell tries to relieve the pressure for StagsSponsored by
CHAD.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010

STAGS assistant boss Duncan Russell tried to relieve the pressure on the club to win Saturday's home clash with struggling Hayes and Yeading.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/russell_tries_to_relieve_the_pressure_for_stags_1_2771789

Mansfield, with just one win in eight BSBP games, know they will be under increasing fire from supporters if they fail to beat a side that has just lost four on the bounce.

But Russell, in charge of training today with manager David Holdsworth and top scorer Paul Connor confined to home with a virus, said: “We want a victory but if, god forbid, we lost the game it wouldn't be a disaster as there are still months to go and we could lose on Saturday and then go on a 10-game run.

“That's football and you can't say Saturday is must-win.

“Hayes have been on a run not dissimilar to us and we know it's going to be a battle. We will roll our sleeves up and I believe that pound for pound, the quality of players we have got can get us the victory.

“We want a win not just for ourselves but for the players and, more importantly, the fans, who deserve one.”

Russell believes Holdsworth and Connor will be well enough to take part on Saturday but no risks will be taken if they are still contagious.

Rob Duffy, Paul Stonehouse and Luke Medley are all fit again while Gary Mills and Gary Silk are back in training but are probably short of the necessary match sharpness.

With skipper Steve Foster starting his second ban of the season, Rhys Day will walk straight back into the side after completing his own three-match suspension.

Stags' home match against Fleetwood Town will now be played on Tuesday 11 January, kicking off at 7.45pm.?The game, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 30th November , has been re-arranged due to Fleetwood's County Cup match against AFC Fylde now taking precedence.

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Silk back in training for Stags, Fleetwood game moved
Evening Post, Nov 18 2010
CROWD favourite Gary Silk is back in Mansfield Town training, along with Paul Stonehouse and Rob Duffy, assistant manager Duncan Russell confirmed today.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Silk-training-Stags-Fleetwood-game-moved/article-2911988-detail/article.html?

The trio have been suffering from hamstring, thigh and groin complaints respectively, but have responded well to treatment.

The swelling in Kyle Nix's ankle has also subsided significantly, but he is still a few weeks away from fitness.

"Whether those lads are in contention for the weekend depends how well they go in training today," said Russell.

"It is one thing being free from injury but another to be match fit."

Paul Connor has recovered fully from his hamstring strain but has now picked up a virus, along with boss David Holdsworth.

Both have stayed away from the club today to avoid passing it on to other squad members.

Russell added: "We are hoping they will both be okay for Saturday.

"If the gaffer is not fully recovered on Saturday then he will go and sit in the stands and will communicate with me down on the bench."

Meanwhile, Mansfield Town's home match against Fleetwood Town will now be played on Tuesday January 11, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday November 30, has been re-arranged due to Fleetwood's County Cup match against AFC Fylde now taking precedence.

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Midfielder Murray: Time for Stags' excuses is over
Evening Post, by Matt Halfpenny

THE announcement of a future Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton has put a smile on many a face this week, but not Mansfield Town midfielder Adam Murray,

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Midfielder-Murray-Time-Stags-excuses/article-2916243-detail/article.html?

The feel-good factor has spread far and wide, yet the midfielder is still smarting from the Stags' frustrating and, some would say, embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers last weekend.

It was a result that yesterday cost David Holdsworth his job.

Mansfield went into the fateful clash against David Hockaday's team, who were at that point second from bottom in the table, with the ideal preparation.

They travelled down the day before and trained at Bristol City's training complex before being put up in overnight accommodation.

It should have been the platform from which the Mansfield players could go out and express themselves, building on their 2-0 success at Kettering in their previous game.

Instead, the Stags wilted, didn't get going until the last 15 minutes and paid the price of a disappointing and unexpected reverse.

Murray has no doubts where the finger of blame deserved to be pointed, even if Holdsworth is the one who has ultimately carried the can.

And he feels it is about time the players raised their game – starting with tomorrow's clash with Hayes and Yeading, under the guidance of caretaker boss Duncan Russell.

The Stags go in search of their first Field Mill victory in five attempts, the last being a 4-0 win over Eastbourne at the end of September.

"It's been the story of the last few weeks that we are making too many stupid errors," said Murray.

"I'd be lying if I said everyone was as happy as Larry because at the minute we are a losing team and haven't been getting the right results.

"Tomorrow is a massive game for everyone involved. We can't carry on the way we have been going because we have not been good enough, there's no excuses.

"It's time now that we have to stand up as footballers and have the courage and the steel to go and do what we're good at, which is to play football.

"We're not mentally fragile, but I happens at any level when things aren't going right, people get wary about how they are playing and what's going on.

It happens with players, it happens with fans and everyone else at the club.

"If you have people who aren't strong enough to take the criticism and aren't wary about their mistakes then it can become a habit.

"But I think we have got people in that dressing room who are strong characters and now it's time for us to show it."

Hayes and Yeading travel north having lost all of their last four Blue Square Bet Premier games and in real danger of relegation.

But Mansfield know from last weekend's defeat at the New Lawn that no side at this level can be taken for granted.

"It's a horrible league and at times there is not a lot of football played. I've played games where I have thought 'Am I playing rugby here?'" said Murray.

"They are coming to Mansfield town, which is a big club and it's got great supporters but they will be looking at it saying they haven't had the best of results of late.

"But they know they are coming to a place where it is expected to be a tough game and we have to make sure they aren't disappointed."

After a turbulent last few days, Murray wants to put a smile back on the faces of the Mansfield supporters.

"The fans have been brilliant and deserve better than we have given them of late," said Murray.

"Even last week when we were coming off we were being applauded and it's time for us to repay them because we haven't been good enough. We're the only ones that can change it."

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