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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from October 2011

FOREST GREEN PREVIEWS + MITCHLEY TO NUNEATON LOAN
4th October 2011 12:38


The Stags are chasing a fifth away win on the trot for the first time since 1991, when the Stags went on a run of 7 straight away wins between Sept - November 1991 - Martin & Svante

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Mitchley makes Nuneaton loan move
Posted on: Sat 01 Oct 2011

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2468975,00.html

Out-of-favour striker Danny Mitchley has joined Nuneaton Town in a one month loan deal.

The ex-Blackpool forward has been unable to break into the first team this season and will join the Blue Square Bet North side to gain match experience.

He follows Neil Collett to Warwickshire, who joined The Boro after mutually terminating his contract with us last week

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Stags Striker Loaned To Boro
by Andy White, Friday, September 30, 2011

http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=13149&iid=260&sud=249

NUNEATON TOWN have secured the loan services of Mansfield Town forward Danny Mitchley.

The 21-year-old frontman spent time with Skelmersdale, Oldham and Wigan as a youngster before linking up with Blackpool in 2006.

He went on to score regularly for their youth and reserve teams and finally made his first team debut for the Tangerines in October 2008.

However, he was not challenging for a regular first team place and was loaned out to Southport towards the end of the 2008/09 season.

Loan moves to Burscough and Wrexham following in August 2009 and March 2010 respectively and Mitchley was eventually released by Blackpool in the summer of 2010.

The Liverpool-born striker signed for Burscough following his exit from Bloomfield Road but remained with the Linnets for just a month before being snapped up by Mansfield.

He scored five times in 17 Conference games for the Stags last term but does not feature in new manager Paul Cox's plans and has been sent to Nuneaton for a month.

Mitchley is available to feature in Boro's FA Cup game at Ryman Division One North club Needham Market on Saturday afternoon

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Nuneaton Borrow Mitchley
30th September 2011

Mitchley joined Mansfield on non-contract terms in November 2010 after sufficiently impressing then manager David Holdsworth during preseason training and then a trial period at Field Mill.

http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/nuneaton-borrow-mitchley-6991/

The 21-year-old front man was a free agent following his release by Blackpool - a club he originally signed for in 2008.

He starred at both youth and reserve level for the Tangerines but with Blackpool riding high in the Championship, and then pushing towards promotion to the Premiership, he was loaned out to Southport, Burscough and finally Wrexham in March 2010 to gain first-team experience.

He was originally released in May 2011 with still a year left on his contract. However, he returned in the pre-season, although new boss Paul Cox stated that Mitchley did not feature in his plans

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video preview with Cox, Marriott and Connor

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/Preview/0,,10325~2467184,00.html

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VIEWS FROM THE TRAINING GROUND

Forest Green Rovers manager Dave Hockaday told BBC Gloucestershire:

"There are a lot of good signs. We've got to take the second half performance [against Newport] and bottle it.

"We've got to start and finish like that on Saturday...if we do we'll get more wins than defeats."

Mansfield manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15045449.stm

"I definitely think there should be more teams promoted. That's not because I'm in this league, I've thought that when I've been at different clubs in different leagues.

"This and the Championship are probably the two hardest divisions in England to get out of.

"I think there is a stigma with non-league, I think the football league sometimes turns its nose up at non-league."

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All change for Stags again at Forest Green
chad.co.uk, Thursday 29 September 2011 15:14

IT'S all change again for Mansfield Town as they head for Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/all_change_for_stags_again_at_forest_green_1_3822778

Stags' superb 3-1 win at leaders Wrexham on Tuesday saw Ben Futcher booked for a fifth time and Tom Naylor red-carded, both earning one match bans alongside suspended winger Louis Briscoe on Saturday.

So, after six games unchanged before Wrexham, manager Paul Cox has more enforced changes to make for a second game on the trot.

However, with only two fit defenders in the wings, they will be easy changes as Joe Kendrick returns at left back and Martin Riley to the centre of defence.

Otherwise, with Forest Green likely to play 4-5-1 at home, Cox is unlikely to alter the 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation that did so well at Wrexham.

“We have Joe and Martin to come back in at Forest Green,” he said. “It's not about how good your first XI is, it's how good your squad is if you want to be successful.

“In midweek I thought Joe Kendrick and Lindon Meikle needed a rest. I though Anthony Howell might need one too but played him and he responded with a great man to man marking job on one of the best players at this level in Lee Fowler.

“He came right back at me with the kind of performance I expect from him.

“Forest Green is probably the last of our long trips this season and it's nice it's come when the weather is still good and the pitches decent.

“They have had a lot of investment there from what I gather this season and have earned the right to stay in this league. It will be a really tough game on Saturday.

“This is the toughest I have ever seen this league from top to bottom. Bottom can beat top on any given day and I think it will be won by the lowest points total for a while.”

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Spotlight on Forest Green Rovers v Mansfield Town
Nottingham Post, Friday, September 30, 2011

Forest Green (from): Bittner, Hodgkiss, Turley, Graham, Stokes, Bangura, Forbes, McDonald, Klukowski, Griffin, Norwood, Thomson, Rowe, Imudia, Allen, Turk.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13436326-detail/story.html

Mansfield (from): Marriott, Redmond, O'Neill, Sutton, Riley, Kendrick, Worthington, Bolland, Howell, Murray, Dyer, Green, Todd, Meikle, Connor, Smith.

Team news: Forest Green are without top scorer Reece Styche, subject of the interest of Luton Town earlier in the campaign, with knee trouble that saw him go for an MRI scan on Monday.

Rovers are also missing Matty Taylor (hip) and Chris Todd (hamstring).

But Alhassan Bangura could be recalled after missing the midweek 1-1 draw with Newport at the expense of Wayne Turk.

New loan signing Jake Thomson (from Kettering) will be hoping for his first start after impressing off the bench against the Welshmen.

Mansfield have two players out through suspension. Louis Briscoe serves the second of a three-game ban for his red card against Kidderminster while Ben Futcher sits this one out after reaching five yellow cards.

The club also have a third suspension after Tom Naylor's two yellow cards at Wrexham in midweek.

Lee Stevenson has returned to training following his broken toe but is estimated to be a week away from being available for selection.

One to watch: Luke Graham. The former Mansfield central defender has played in every match for Forest Green since his summer move from Kettering, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Luton.

Manager: David Hockaday. Well liked by backer Dale Vince, but less so by the Forest Green fans after the team has drawn half of their 12 league games so far

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Mansfield keeper Alan Marriott cancels retirement plans
bbc.co.uk, Friday, 30 September 2011
Mansfield Town goalkeeper Alan Marriott has abandoned his plans to retire at the end of the season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15113791.stm

The 33-year-old announced last year that he planned to make this season at Field Mill his last.

But Marriott has told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I was just suffering with injuries and you start to question how long you're going to last in the game.

"But I'm willing to carry on playing [and] If I could stay here I'd snap their hands off with another deal."

Marriott is also training to be an electrician and admits he is planning for his retirement.

He said: "I don't ultimately want to be one of those players who's 42, scratching around pub leagues just to get some money to buy a few pints and pay for my Chinese on a Saturday night.

"But I love playing here and I get on fantastically with the supporters [and] all the lads say I could go on for another four or five years.

"I'll keep going as long as I can but it depends, first and foremost, if you're wanted."

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Stags keeper Marriott is no 'Statto' fan
chad.co.uk, Friday 30 September 2011

MANSFIELD Town keeper Alan Marriott is not too interested in football's wonderful world of statistics as Stags chase a fifth successive away win at Forest Green on Saturday.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_keeper_marriott_is_no_statto_fan_1_3822827

“It's easy to get caught up in statistics, but they can bring added pressure on you,” he said. “I know the biggest cliché is take it a game at a time. But first and foremost the only important thing on Saturday is to get another three points.

“Forest Green are going to fancy this. It can be hard to play where there is no crowd and it feels like a reserve fixture atmosphere. You just have to come to grips with it.

“It's a tricky place to go and Forest Green have started fantastically well.

“They have some good players like (Reece) Styche, (Charlie) Griffin and, of course, Luke Graham, who we know all about.

“But we are full of confidence after the win at Wrexham – without feeling like we've arrived.

“We put the Kidderminster defeat to bed at Wrexham with a fantastic display.”

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Stags keen to show adaptability – Marriott
Nottingham Post, Friday, September 30, 2011

MANSFIELD Town must prove they can perform just as well at the Blue Square Premier's less glamorous venues as on its biggest stages, says Alan Marriott.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13436361-detail/story.html

The Stags have been to ex-Football League stadiums at Stockport, Darlington, Wrexham and shone, running out winners on each occasion.

?Their form at the smaller grounds of Gateshead, Braintree and Barrow has been noticeably less impressive – although the latter game brought a hard-fought victory.

Mansfield visit Forest Green's New Lawn tomorrow with keeper Marriott keen for the team to prove they can adapt to any given environment.

"It can be difficult to lift yourself for some of the places we go, especially if you have just played at somewhere like Wrexham," said the former Lincoln man.

"When the big crowds aren't there it can be that bit harder to get motivated. It was tough, for instance, at Braintree.

"But as players that is what we are paid for – to get a grip of such games.

"At Forest Green it's a nice little stadium, even if they don't get big crowds. I expect them to be a better side than last year."

The Stags go in search of a fifth straight away win, but Marriott insists the team are ignoring such statistics.

He said: "Sometimes those things can add pressure, which you don't need. We'll worry about the game and records take care of themselves."

Mansfield have held fresh talks with Derby, who want defender Tom Naylor, but no deal has been agreed yet

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Stags striker Connor stays patient
chad.co.uk, Friday 30 September 2011

PAUL Connor heads for Forest Green on Saturday happy to play the waiting game as he continues to warm the substitute's bench.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_striker_connor_stays_patient_1_3822842

The experienced striker has found himself shut out of the Mansfield Town first XI by the continued form of Matt Green and Ross Dyer, but came off the bench on Tuesday to score the all-important killer third in the fine 3-1 win at leaders Wrexham on Tuesday.

But he knows it won't be enough to dislodge Green and Dyer and he said: “I am not sulking or anything,” he said. “I am just getting my head down and making sure I am ready when I am called on.

“It was nice to get on and score such an important goal on Tuesday when we were under a bit of pressure near the end.

“The lads say I scuffed it in, but I will take that to be honest.

“Obviously, like any player, you want to be out on the pitch and playing. But the lads have done fantastic and sometimes you have to take a step back. We have had good results so you have to be patient.

“I try to encourage them as I hope they would me if I were in there ahead of them.”

Of Forest Green, he added: “We lost there last year and we know it will be hard going with little atmosphere.”

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Stags' Worthington out to prove his worth after 'patient' wait
Nottingham Post, Friday, September 30, 2011

IT was a huge night for Mansfield Town – and Jon Worthington as well.

Tuesday night's victory at Wrexham ensured the Stags hit back in style from their 3-0 home humbling by Kidderminster last weekend.

?http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13436330-detail/story.html

If the doubters were starting to question Mansfield's promotion credentials, a first win in 26 years at the then league leaders silenced them in a stroke.

But for Worthington it was an important test for him to pass as a member of that side.

After starting the disappointing first two games of the season that brought a 1-1 draw with Bath City and 3-0 defeat at Gateshead, his appearances were limited to run-outs off the bench during the Stags' eight-game unbeaten run that followed.

So, after being handed a start in Wales following a 60-minute stint that was realistically all about damage limitation against the Harriers, Worthington knew he needed to get it right.

The Yorkshireman did not disappoint. Along with Anthony Howell and Adam Murray, he offered sturdy protection to the Mansfield back four against one of the best attacking sides in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

It should be enough to ensure the former Huddersfield man retains his place for another away trip tomorrow, this time to Forest Green.

"To go to the league leaders and win 3-1 speaks volumes and was very pleasing on the back of the weekend. It was a great performance," said Worthington.

"You can start to lose confidence if you have a run where you don't win games, so it was important to bounce back from that point of view.

"Also, the league is so tight that if you don't get the three points, you can slip down the table and with the start we have had we want to stay right up there in that top five.

"It was a difficult game to come into against Kiddie because we were already 3-0 down and it would have taken something massive to turn it around.

"But from my own point of view it was good to get some time on the pitch and put me in the frame for Wrexham.

"When you're out the team you have to be patient. You're desperate to play every week, but at the same time you have to be realistic.

"When the team has won five games on the bounce, as we did, it picks itself.

"But I've worked hard in training, made sure I've kept fit and been confident I could take my chance when it came.

"That has come now and having won a place in the team I want to hold onto it."

Worthington is involved in arguably the most competitive battle at the club for a first team place.

He is fighting with Murray, Howell, Paul Bolland and, when back fit, Lee Stevenson for coveted places in the centre of the park.

Even so, Worthington insists the relationship between the rivals remains excellent.

He said: "The good thing about us all is that we are all honest lads who work hard in training as well as games.

"We are all pushing for a starting place – I know I have been desperate to play, as are the others.

"It's good, healthy competition and means you have to perform, but we also get on very well.

"There is good banter between us – between the whole squad – and the manager has helped to create that atmosphere.

"Whether you are starting, sat on the bench or in the stands, everyone genuinely wants others to do well.

"It's the manager who brings in the players, knowing their personalities, and you have to bring in the right characters.

"If you do that then the team spirit and work ethic rubs off on everyone."

Mansfield are in fifth after the first quarter of the season, leading Worthington to the conclusion that the Kidderminster defeat was just a blip.

"Two defeats in 12 games isn't bad," he said. "I don't think that is too bad in terms of consistency. If we can keep that ratio up then we are going to be in the top five come the end of the season."

The Stags have won four straight away games since drawing 1-1 at Braintree in August. In comparison, they have won only two of their six games at home, albeit having lost only once.

Worthington said: "With the players we have got we are always going to score goals and going to Forest Green we will be confident having won at the top of the league.

"We are looking to get another win because it's the case now that we want to put another unbeaten run together and establish ourselves in that leading pack."

Just as Worthington, individually, will want to establish himself in the Mansfield midfield

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Todd wants more than bit-part playing role at Stags
Nottingham Post

IF any Mansfield Town fans were under the impression that Andy Todd wants to wind down his playing career at Field Mill in favour of coaching, they can think again.

At 32, the former Rotherham, Eastwood, Accrington and Worksop player clearly has one eye on the future.

?http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13447294-detail/story.html

In fact, the winger has already been back to university to complete coaching and fitness qualifications.

But by no means does that mean he believes his playing days should be drawing to a close; quite the opposite.

Todd still sees himself as a player first and coach second – even if his limited appearances so far this season might have suggested otherwise.

That, the Nottingham-born player insists, is a coincidence rather than a deliberate step towards a managerial role.

And, after making his first appearance since the opening day in the 3-1 win at Wrexham in midweek, Todd is out to prove he is more than just a squad player.

"I had been wanting to get back into the side since Bath. I felt quite aggrieved to be left out for the next game having played the full 90 minutes," he said. "We changed the system at Gateshead and I didn't figure in that team. Then we started to win games, so I haven't been in at all.

"For me to come in and start against Wrexham was a bit of a surprise. I did have an inkling it was going to happen the day before in training because we did a bit of work on our organisation.

"That gave me the idea that I could and at that point I had to get myself mentally right in case I was given the nod.

"When I first spoke to the manager, the idea was that I would have a dual role. I'm still not sure whether it's a 50-50 split or maybe more coaching based.

"But I always wanted it to be a higher percentage as a player than a coach. I still feel I'm up to scratch fitness wise and I have plenty of experience at this kind of level."

At Wrexham, Todd was deployed as a left-sided attacker in a 4-3-3 formation that became a 4-5-1 arrangement when Mansfield were not in possession.

It was a system that enabled the Stags to avoid the problems they had encountered against Kidderminster, who had beaten them 3-0 at Field Mill last weekend using a similar set-up to the Red Dragons.

Todd was particularly impressed with the way Matt Green performed at the Racecourse Ground and the Oxford loanee got his reward with an eighth goal of the season.

He said: "We maybe rode our luck once or twice, but you expect that when you go away to play the top of the league.

"It was a massive reaction from our players after what had happened against Kidderminster.

"The key moment in the game was the penalty and I was very impressed with the way Greeny stuck it away.

"It was a long time between the penalty being given and it being taken, but credit to him for not rising to the taunts from the crowd and scoring.

"Greeny can get us up the pitch and is becoming a team player, working just as hard when he hasn't got the ball as when he has it.

"He got the penalty and scored the goal, but I'm sure he would be the first to admit he couldn't have done it without the rest of his team-mates."

Mansfield are likely to use the same formation at Forest Green Rovers this afternoon, even if suspensions will enforce changes in personnel.

"We would love to make it five (away) wins in a row," said Todd. "There's no point in us getting three points on Tuesday if we don't get something. We need to finish the week off.

"The Wrexham game is going to have taken a lot out of us, but we need to get ourselves right because it is going to be another tough one. Whether I get to play again is down to the gaffer. It was just good to be involved again.

"I got 90 minutes under my belt in the week and hopefully I will get the opportunity to build on that."

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Reece out for a month
Thursday 29 September 2011

http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/first-team-news/2011/reece-out-for-a-month

TOP scorer Reece Styche is set to be over his knee injury in a month after visiting a specialist today.

A private MRI scan on his knee has discounted surgery and boss David Hockaday is relieved with the outcome.

Hockaday said: "Reece has got a tightness down the side of his knee and the consultant says there is no major panic and he just needs to rest."

The six-goal striker was substituted three minutes before half-time at Tamworth nine days ago and had to be helped to the dressing room for treatment

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