{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from January 2012

ADAM SMITH RETURNS FROM ALDERSHOT
16th January 2012 11:13



Smith returns from Aldershot
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 09 Jan 2012

Winger Adam Smith has today returned to Field Mill following a loan spell at League Two Aldershot Town.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2570909,00.html

The 26-year-old spent an initial one month at The Shots in early October and then re-joined Dean Holdsworth's side on 23 November for an extended loan spell.

Speaking at this morning's press meeting, Manager Paul Cox said: "I hope Adam's loan at Aldershot has freshened him up.

"I'll now be looking for him to push his way into our starting 11 and stay there," he added

-----------

Smith handed Stags lifeline
Nottingham Post, Tuesday, January 10, 2012

ADAM Smith has returned to Mansfield Town with boss Paul Cox insisting he still has a future at the club.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14379507-detail/story.html

The tricky winger has made only three substitute appearances for the Stags this season and has been loaned out to League Two Aldershot since October.

But after making 12 appearances for the Hampshire outfit – seven starts and five off the bench – Smith, 26, is now back.

And Cox is keen to stress that the former Chesterfield and York man can still force his way back into his first-team plans.

"I'm hoping Adam will come back and reproduce the form he has shown there," he said.

"He still could have a future here, no doubt about it. Hopefully he has come back from his loan refreshed and raring to go. His aim has to be to push his way back into the first team."

With two weeks between Mansfield's 1-0 win over Forest Green on Saturday and their next game at home to Hayes on January 21, Cox has already arranged a friendly against Notts County for next Tuesday (January 17).

He hopes other matches will follow and will use them to have a look at trialists and also assess youth teamers.

Cox said: "It is that time of year when the window is open and it makes sense to have a look at one or two on trial.

"It will be good to give people like Ben Hutchinson some game time too because he has not played much football of late."

---------------------------------------

Smith targets first team shirt on Stags return
chad.co.uk, Friday 13 January 2012

ALTHOUGH he loved every minute of his extended loan spell at League Two Aldershot, winger Adam Smith can't wait to win a Stags shirt back and remind fans what he can do.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/smith_targets_first_team_shirt_on_stags_return_1_4136068

Smith, not finding himself in new manager Paul Cox's plans at the start of the season, went off to play for Dean Holdsworth.

“It was a fantastic experience in the Football League, playing week in, week out with some fantastic players,” he said. “I played quite a lot of games. Once I realised I was up for loan here, it was a case of finding the right place and I was grateful for the interest Dean Holdsworth showed in me.

“There were some old team mates there I knew from the past so overall it was a successful period for me.

“The manager had his ideas and at the time I wasn't involved.

“The lads were doing well and playing well and I respect that. You have to be selfish at times and I just wanted to play football.”

“Now I'm back I know I have got to get my head down, train hard and hope things will work out.

“There are exciting times ahead. We are not a million miles away from the play-off places and anything is possible.

“I want to play in the League again. But there is a job to be done here and I am employed by Mansfield Town. This is a good league with some good players down here. I love playing football and will always give 100 per cent every time I put my boots on.”

Smith has returned to a very different dressing room with players coming in and going out during his absence and, with Smith being a left-sided midfield player, he knows Lindon Meikle is the man he needs to win the shirt back from.

“That's football – there are always a lot of changes,” he said. “There's new faces in the changing room and old mates like Paul Connor gone.

“Lindon Meikle is a fantastic player. He has come here and proved he can make the step-up as well as score goals.”

---------------------------------------------------------------

Smith determined to make his mark at Stags
Nottingham Post, Saturday, January 14, 2012

ADAM Smith today outlined his determination to force his way back into the Mansfield Town team.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14421466-detail/story.html

The winger has just returned to Field Mill after a successful loan spell at League Two Aldershot.

But he insists his head has not been turned by that stint and he will be fully focused on the Stags for the rest of the season.

Boss Paul Cox was pleased with his performance in a 3-0 friendly win over Eastwood in midweek.

Smith - out of contract in the summer - is likely to have another chance to push for a place in the first team squad for next weekend's clash against Hayes and Yeading.

Mansfield have pencilled in further friendlies against Northampton and Notts County, provisionally arranged for Monday and Tuesday.

"Aldershot was a fantastic experience in the Football League working with some fantastic players and coaches," said Smith, 26. "I was happy with the amount of time I spent on the pitch and felt it benefited me.

"The manager has got his ideas and I'd not started a game all season.

"You have to be selfish sometimes and maybe me going out on loan at that point was best for everyone.

"Hopefully I will play in the Football League again some day but right now there is a job to be done here.

"I know it is not going to be easy to get back into the side.

"Lindon Meikle has proved he can make the step up, is a great lad and has scored some goals."

-----------

 

Latest | January 2012