Archived News from January 2011
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RUSSELL,CONNOR,STONEHOUSE+NEWPORT MANAGER REACTION
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Russell, Stonehouse and Connor video interviews ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2267861,00.html ------------------- Is former England and Villa star bound for Stags? CHAD.co.uk STAGS manager Duncan Russell was a happy man on Saturday night after his side saw off Newport County 4-2 at Field Mill in the FA Trophy – and promised the fans a big name signing early next week, reports John Lomas. http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/is_former_england_and_villa_star_bound_for_stags_1_2934339?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed “I hope this result is a really massive boost for our fans,” he said. “I am also now 99 per cent sure I will be able to bring in a player of the highest calibre on Monday who has played at the highest level. “I think the fans will love it and he will give the rest of the players a massive boost.” No names are being revealed, though there are strong rumours that it is 33-year-old former England international Lee Hendrie who played for 12 years at Aston Villa. Hendrie, also an England U21 international and former Sheffield UNited player, recently completed a spell at Bradford City. On today's game which took the Stags into the last 16, Russell added: “I was pleased for the boys, especially as we had to make so many changes in so many positions. “It was a fighting performance against a very good side and it's probably the first time we have beaten anyone above us. “It was a relief and hopefully I will be able to go home and actually sleep tonight. It would be great to see this competition through to its fruition – that's my aim.” He added: “Everyone dreams of Wembley and I am lucky enough to have been there and the Millennium several times and always on winning sides too. It's an experience you never forget. “I was disappointed to concede two, though. The first was an own goal and unlucky as Gary Silk couldn't do anything about it. “But the second was from a set piece and we must stop letting in goals from set pieces or sides will come here and work to get corners and free kicks as they know they will get a goal. “I said to them at half-time, don't be complacent and start brightly. We knew they would come right back at us with that wind.” “And they are a good side with good players so we expected them to have a time in the game when they would have the ball. “I thought Neil Collett was outstanding in goal and pulled of some good saves. And I asked Paul Connor to go in there today and get me some goals and he did – that's Paul Connor for you. “He should have had a hat-trick. It is all about his presence out there. He is a journeyman and well known to everyone in this division. Having him in your side helps you win the psychological battle.” Two-goal Paul Connor added: “It was nice to be back and get on the scoresheet with a couple of tap-ins. “It should have had a hat-trick but their keeper did well at the end as I had headed it down and he spread himself well. “I have had to bide my time after missing a game through injury at Christmas. “It worked well with me and Keigan (Parker) today. He is a good player and would say himself that Mansfield has not seen the best of him yet. “He is starting to enjoy his football again and getting his love for the game back. “Both sides had players out. But that was a full Newport side and they tried hard in what is a big competition. So to beat them we must take the confidence that breeds into the league games.” Newport caretaker-boss Tim Harris said: “No excuses. We had played missing but we still had lads out there with enough experience at this level of football to deal with this today. “We have got to start winning football matches. And we won't do that giving away goals like we have today. “We started brightly enough to be fair but we made mistakes and Mansfield punished us. “We made the changes at half-time, forced our way back into it and have our supporters, who had made such a long journey, something to cheer. “I thought Mansfield's goals were down to poor defending, not offsides.” ----------------------------- Thrilled Russell insists plenty of work still to be done at Stags Evening Post DUNCAN Russell was thrilled with his Mansfield Town players after their 4-2 FA Trophy victory over Newport County – but admits there is still plenty to work on. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Thrilled-Russell-insists-plenty-work-Stags/article-3106148-detail/article.html? A first half three-goal blitz from the Stags as Paul Connor (2) and Keigan Parker struck, saw them establish control against the Welshmen. But frailties at the back once again surfaced before a fourth Mansfield goal from Louis Briscoe sealed the win with five minutes left. "To see a display like that after so many changes and people playing in different positions I thought was outstanding," said manager Russell. "It was a fighting performance against a very good side. "I was very pleased with Kevin Sandwith who came in as a centre half and policed a big guy (Robbie Matthews) and Fozzie (Steve Foster) did exceptionally well. "But the slightly disappointing thing is that we have conceded twice again. "The first goal was a great strike and Silky (Gary Silk) tried to head it clear and couldn't do anything about it going into his own net. "But the second goal was a set piece again and we have to stop leaking goals in that way. "If we don't then all teams are going to do is work to get corners and throw-ins because they know they can get some joy." Russell was delighted of the input of striker Paul Connor after he was restored to the starting line-up. He said: "That's what you get from Paul Connor. I have had a lot of argy-bargy with him about certain things I want him to do. "But I spoke to him about getting us some goals and using his experience – and he did that. "He should have had a hat-trick against Newport, but the keeper made a great save. "It's really all about his presence and you know if you are the opposition and Paul Connor is playing that you are in for a tough game." ------------------- Mansfield set to unveil 'marquee' signing thought to be former England player Evening Post, 17 Jan 2010 MANSFIELD Town are today expected to unveil a marquee signing – believed to be former England midfielder Lee Hendrie. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Mansfield-set-unveil-marquee-signing-today/article-3106230-detail/article.html Manager Duncan Russell refused to reveal the identity of the player but says the signing will show they should not yet be counted out of the Blue Square Premier Bet promotion race. The Stags boss is '99 per cent' certain of landing his target, who he revealed has played in the Premier League. It would cap a satisfactory few days for the club after they disposed of Newport County 4-2 in the FA Trophy on Saturday. "I'm really hoping to be in a position to announce a new signing that would be a massive boost for us," said Russell. "He's played at the highest level but I don't want to give a name because I don't want to get gazumped. "I think the fans, as well as the players, will love it. "I was so pleased for the boys at the weekend and that is probably the first time we have beaten a team above us, albeit in the FA Trophy. "Everyone dreams of getting to Wembley and it's a fantastic experience that you never forget. "But it's really important we bounce back in the league and are contending for the play-off spots. "It's a big ask but if the chairman backs me and we get the players in we want then it enhances the team and gives us more strength in depth." The Post understands it to be former Sheffield United, Stoke and Derby midfielder Hendrie, 33, who is without a club after leaving League Two Bradford last month. But Mansfield are also bracing themselves for interest in top scorer Paul Connor, who took his tally for the season to 12 with a brace against Newport. Reports in the north-east suggest Darlington want to sign the striker before the close of the January transfer window. The 32-year-old – out of contract in the summer – hails from Bishop Auckland and could be tempted by a move back up north. But Mansfield will be desperate to hold onto a player who has been a consistent performer since signing for the Stags from Lincoln in the summer. -------------------- Speculation mounts that former England international is set to join Stags Evening Post SPECULATION is mounting that former England international Lee Hendrie could be the star signing Mansfield Town are set to unveil tomorrow. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Thrilled-Russell-insists-plenty-work-Stags/article-3106148-detail/article.html Manager Duncan Russell said after yesterday's 4-2 FA Trophy victory over Newport County he was '99 per cent certain' of capturing a player who had player at the highest level. Midfielder Hendrie, 33, certainly fits that description, having made more than 300 senior appearances at Aston Villa. Since leaving Villa Park, the Birmingham-born player has also figured for Stoke, Sheffield United and Derby. Hendrie is currently a free agent after completing a short-term contract at Bradford City. If the player does come to Field Mill, he would be Russell's first signing since taking over as boss at the end of December. Meanwhile, Russell was thrilled with his Mansfield Town players after their 4-2 FA Trophy victory over Newport County – but admits there is still plenty to work on. A first half three-goal blitz from the Stags as Paul Connor (2) and Keigan Parker struck, saw them establish control against the Welshmen. But frailties at the back once again surfaced before a fourth Mansfield goal from Louis Briscoe sealed the win with five minutes left. "To see a display like that after so many changes and people playing in different positions I thought was outstanding," said manager Russell. "It was a fighting performance against a very good side. "I was very pleased with Kevin Sandwith who came in as a centre half and policed a big guy (Robbie Matthews) and Fozzie (Steve Foster) did exceptionally well. "But the slightly disappointing thing is that we have conceded twice again. "The first goal was a great strike and Silky (Gary Silk) tried to head it clear and couldn't do anything about it going into his own net. "But the second goal was a set piece again and we have to stop leaking goals in that way. "If we don't then all teams are going to do is work to get corners and throw-ins because they know they can get some joy." Russell was delighted of the input of striker Paul Connor after he was restored to the starting line-up. He said: "That's what you get from Paul Connor. I have had a lot of argy-bargy with him about certain things I want him to do. "But I spoke to him about getting us some goals and using his experience – and he did that. "He should have had a hat-trick against Newport, but the keeper made a great save. "It's really all about his presence and you know if you are the opposition and Paul Connor is playing that you are in for a tough game." --------------- Stonehouse: We should fear nobody in FA Trophy Evening Post PAUL Stonehouse insists Mansfield Town should fear no-one in the FA Trophy after showing their credentials by knocking out Newport. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Stonehouse-fear-FA-Trophy/article-3106163-detail/article.html The Stags secured a place in today's third round draw where they will be one of the highest-placed teams still in the competition. Stonehouse believes Mansfield are capable of going all the way and says the prospect of playing at Wembley is a big spur for the Stags squad. "The incentives of going all the way in this competition are there for all to see," said the left-back. "It's a realistic chance to get to Wembley and that is always in the back of your mind for games like this. "When you think about it logically, we aren't that far off now, It's a good chance. "I think a win against one of the top teams has been coming. We have had players sent off in three of those matches, which has been a big factor. "The players haven't really been talking about that, but we know we are capable of beating all the teams in our division and now we have shown it." Stonehouse (pictured) made his first start against the Exiles since early November, when he appeared in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Torquay. He admits it has been a difficult time and said: "I'm absolutely delighted to get back in. It's really hard to keep pushing yourself when you are not getting in. "But you have to tell yourself you will get a chance eventually and when you do, take it. Hopefully I have. "I think every player who has got a bit about them feels they should be playing. But you have to take it on the chin when you're not." ---------------- Connor backs Parker to shine in Field Mill in 2011 Evening Post PAUL Connor believes Keigan Parker can click into top gear for Mansfield Town this year. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Connor-backs-Parker-shine-Field-2011/article-3106204-detail/article.html While Connor has been a consistent performer for the Stags since signing in the summer, Parker often flattered to deceive in the first half of 2010-11. But both men scored in the 4-2 victory over Newport and Connor reckons his co-striker is just starting to find his feet after a run of games. "Keigan is a good player and I am sure he would say himself that Mansfield has probably not yet seen the best of him," he said. "But he has started to enjoy his football and got his love of the game back and when he is on his game he is a top player who has good pace and can finish. "I think it's just been a case of him getting a fresh start and a run of games. You have to be playing regularly to get into a rhythm and get your sharpness. "I'm sure that is starting to come for him with game time." Connor revealed his omission from the starting line-up of late has not been down to injury that briefly saw him sidelined with a calf problem. But he is hoping his two-goal salvo will convince manager Duncan Russell he should now be a regular fixture in the team. He said: "I had a niggle over Christmas, but I only missed the Cambridge game – I was fit for a few weeks but I've just had to bide my time getting back in the team. "The manager chose to go with different options up front. But I love scoring goals and to come back in and score two was great. "We knew it was going to be a difficult game against Newport and we could hear them get a rollicking at half-time so we knew they would show more fight in the second half. "But we showed more fight this time, which is what we need to do in our league matches." ------------------ County set for new signings By Andrew Penman, southwalesargus.co.uk NEWPORT County caretaker manager Tim Harris will look to add some defensive cover to his squad this week after a makeshift back line shipped four goals at Mansfield Town on Saturday. http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/8794944.County_set_for_new_signings/? County were bundled out of the FA Trophy as Harris' first match in charge after replacing Dean Holdsworth ended in a 4-2 defeat at Field Mill. The Exiles were without captain Gary Warren and his regular deputy, Jamie Collins, through suspension, with Mike Fowler asked to fill in at centre-back alongside stand-in skipper Chris Todd. And with his side 3-0 down at the break Harris replaced struggling left-back Curtis McDonald with youth team prospect Andrew Hughes. Tough-talking Harris was not afraid to slam his side's poor defensive display. "You don't win football games conceding goals the way that we have in the last few games," he said. "We're shipping goals for fun and making mistakes all over the pitch. "I was disappointed by Curtis McDonald's performance and I'm sure Curtis was disappointed himself," he added. "Andrew Hughes is a young lad who has come through the academy and it's about time he experienced what this level is all about. He was a little bit shaky at first but after that he did well." A second-half fightback saw County pull the Stags back to 3-2 thanks to a Gary Silk own goal and a Robbie Matthews header, but a fourth goal killed them off seven minutes from time. "To be fair to the players they kept going and got themselves back into a position where I thought we might just be able to sneak something and bring them back to our place," said Harris. "But then we got done again, which was very disappointing. "You can look at the suspensions but we're not going to make excuses. We still had players out there who should have been able to deal with what Mansfield threw at them. "We kept shooting ourselves in the foot and they took full advantage," he added. "The lads have had a traumatic week and we've got to regroup and start winning football matches. Unfortunately we didn't do that." ------------------- |
Latest | January 2011