Archived News from October 2013
|
SPIREITES PREVIEWS
|
 |
|
Career highlight for settled Sutton
mansfieldtown.net 26th September 2013 Ritchie Sutton admits that Saturday’s eagerly-awaited ‘derby’ clash at fierce rivals Chesterfield will be one of the biggest of his career. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/career-highlight-for-settled-sutton-1078272.aspx?#V9vd0WfTPhlwRHfp.99 Sutton, 27, has become a commanding figure in our three-man defence in recent weeks, as our team have climbed up to fifth position in Sky Bet League Two. However, The Spireites are currently perched at the top of the table, having won seven of their eight league matches so far this term. The match at the Proact Stadium is already a sell-out and with both teams in scintillating form, Sutton admits the match could not have come at a better time “It’s a great time for the game to have come. They’re doing well and are top of the league, but we’re in form and unbeaten in seven,” said Sutton. Ritchie Sutton & Anthony Howell on Chesterfield clash. For more visit Stags Player Mansfield 103.2 Jason Harrison is asking the questions “We’ve seen the fans queuing for tickets, and when we’ve come off the training field, there has been people stopping us, wanting to talk about it. “It’s obviously a massive game for the community and a game that everyone is looking forward to.” He continued: “I haven’t played in too many [derbies] myself, so if I’m selected, this will definitely be the biggest one that I’ve played in. “I was looking at the stats and they’ve only conceded three [goals]. We’ve only conceded six, so it’s going to be a really tight game. “I was speaking to a few of the Chesterfield lads and they’re a really attacking team, so we’re going to have to be on top of our game. “We’ve looked solid recently and it’s about keeping that base now. It’ll be great test for us, because they are probably the best attacking team in the league. “If we can keep them at bay, then it’ll be a great achievement for us.” The 27-year-old, who joined us from Port Vale in June 2011, also admitted that he feels very settled at One Call Stadium. He continued: “I’ve been here for a while now. I’m settled at the club and I know what it’s all about. “I think that playing in a three-man defence really suits me. It’s in-between that full-back and centre-half role, and I think I look strong there.” Sutton also had praise for fellow centre-back Ryan Tafazolli, who made his Football League debut in our 3-0 victory over Northampton Town last Saturday. “Ryan is a really good player,” continued Sutton. “It was a case of taking his chance when he got one, and I think he did that. “He was in a similar situation to myself, when I came [into the team] for the match with Exeter. “You’ve got to be solid in your first match in a League Two team, and Ryan certainly was. All the lads were pleased with his performance.” Ritchie Sutton’s full interview will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe, click here. --------------- Ritchie Sutton: Mansfield Town face tough challenge against League Two’s best attack chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 27/09/2013 Ritchie Sutton believes Mansfield Town will need to stand tall against what he says is the best attacking side in League Two. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/ritchie-sutton-mansfield-town-face-tough-challenge-against-league-two-s-best-attack-1-6091331 Mansfield make the short 14 mile trip to Chesterfield on Saturday looking to become the first side to take League Two points off Spireites at the Proact Stadium this season. The league-leaders possess a number of excellent attacking options, including star winger Gary Roberts who has already bagged four goals this campaign. And Sutton knows that fifth-placed Mansfield face what could be their sternest challenge of the season. “We will have to be on our game because they have probably got the best attack in the division,” he said. “Chesterfield are doing well at the moment and are top of the league, but we are unbeaten in seven and in good form ourselves so it is going to be a tight game. “It is going to be a great challenge for us and it is important we stay solid. All I can do is my job and that will be staying solid and keep a clean sheet.” “It is a great game for the fans, it is all they are talking about. “I have not played in two many derby games and this will be the biggest one I play in if I am selected. “It is a sell-out and the atmosphere is going to be fantastic. The preparations and atmosphere is going to be different from most weeks, but we just have to focus on what is happening on the pitch.” The solid defender has missed just one game for Stags this season and believes he is playing some of the best football of his career. He added: “I feel I am playing some of my best football, playing as part of three central defenders has really helped my game and I am just looking to keep it going. “Sometimes when you make the step up and play against better players it is easier to make the adjustment. “Good players make the same runs and do the same things, you get to know what to expect week in week out where it is not the same consistent standard in the Conference.” Mansfield are expected to retain the same line-up from the 3-0 win over Northampton with Ryan Tafazolli replacing the suspended Martin Riley. ---------------------- Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox warns fans to behave against Chesterfield chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 27/09/2013 “Enjoy the game, but do not cross the line,” Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox has urged the club’s fans. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-boss-paul-cox-warns-fans-to-behave-against-chesterfield-1-6090541 Nearly two thousands supporters will make the short journey up the A617 for tomorrow’s highly-anticipated derby with fierce rivals Chesterfield. The game is a total sell-out with passions set to run high as the sides lock horns for the first time in five years. But Cox is calling Mansfield’s fans to get behind the boys and do themselves and the town proud. “The fans have been amazing, not just this season, but in all my time at the club,” Cox said. “The fans have made the football club a success, they are positive in what they do and that is what we want them to keep doing. “We are working hard to make this a successful club and a winning club that the fans can be proud of. “Passions will be high and people will be having a beer or two, it is what they come to football for. “It is tribalism, it is animalism, it is all those things in the extreme, but there is a line there that is not be crossed.” Chesterfield have so far won seven of their first eight games of the season, including all four of their home games. Fifth-placed Stags have not been beaten since the opening day against Scunthorpe United and will be confident they can stop table-topping Spireites. Martin Riley is still suspended following his dismissal against York City. The game also pits two of the league’s top goalscorers against each other, with Sam Clucas and Gary Roberts both having find the back of the net four times each this season. ---------------------- Anthony Howell ready for Mansfield Town to break Chesterfield’s unbeaten start chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 26/09/2013 Midfielder Anthony Howell believes there is no reason why Mansfield Town cannot shatter Chesterfield’s unbeaten start to the season. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/anthony-howell-ready-for-mansfield-town-to-break-chesterfield-s-unbeaten-start-1-6088369 The Spireites sit top of the League Two table after winning seven of their opening eight fixtures, including all four of their home games. But Howell says the table-toppers are there to be shot down and fifth-placed Mansfield may be the team to do it. “They are a good team and are top of the league. They have won most of their games, but it doesn’t mean they cannot be beaten. “We will be going there to upset them. We are on a seven game unbeaten run ourselves and confidence is high.” The former Alfreton Town star made his first start for Stags since 10th August on Saturday, a run he says he hopes to keep going against Chesterfield. “This is a massive game, as the days tick by you start to realise even more just how big it is,” he said. “I am looking forward to playing in such a big game. I think we will feel a bit different on the morning of the game than normal, but we need to try and treat this as a normal match. “The atmosphere will be buzzing, but we have got to keep level headed. I think the team that keeps level-headed will probably be the one that wins the game. “We will prepare 100 per cent for this game and go out and give 100 per cent.” Mansfield, who are yet to concede a second half goal this season, will be without the suspended Martin Riley as they look to stretch their run to eight games unbeaten. ---------------------- Anthony Howell aiming for extended run in Mansfield Town side chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 26/09/2013 Battling midfielder Anthony Howell says he is hoping to win an extended run in the Mansfield Town starting eleven. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/anthony-howell-aiming-for-extended-run-in-mansfield-town-side-1-6088482?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed Howell returned to Paul Cox’s starting side in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Northampton in place of the injured Chris Clements for his first start since 10th August. And, after a solid showing, Howell says he hopes he has done enough to show Paul Cox that he warrants a starting role against fierce local rivals Chesterfield. “It is not nice when somebody gets injured, but I am happy to be back in the team,” he said. “It is a long season and the whole squad is going to get a chance eventually. “Once you get your chance you have got to show the boss that you are worth keeping it. There is good competition in the squad and that helps keep you on your toes. “As a player you want to play week in week out. We are all buzzing and cannot wait for the game on Saturday.” Selection for a starting place would be a massive confidence boost for the former Alfreton star, who says he is happy with how he has handled the step up in division. “It is a fresh challenge for me plaing in League Two. I feel that I have adjusted well to the challenge and that things are going well. “I am confident in my ability. You have to be confident in what you do when you are called upon, there is no hiding place in League Two.” Mansfield will be roared on by just under two thousand away fans as they battle to become the first team this season to avoid defeat at The Proact Stadium. -------------------- Howell: We've got confidence mansfieldtown.net 27th September 2013 by Andrew Webb Midfielder Anthony Howell is relishing the opportunity to play in front of a sell-out crowd, as we lock horns with arch-rivals Chesterfield tomorrow. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/howell-weve-got-confidence-1081511.aspx?#kzdbC1TzqsszOgFj.99 Howell returned to our starting xi last Saturday, as we cruised to a 3-0 win over Northampton Town, which lifted us into the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off zone. The 27-year-old, who is now in his third campaign at One Call Stadium, can’t wait for our clash with the table-topping Spireites. “From what I’ve been hearing, it’s a massive rivalry,” said Howell. “As the days go along and it gets closer, I’m actually starting to look forward to playing in such a big game. “I think we’ll feel a little bit different [on Saturday morning], but you’ve just got to treat it as a normal game and not get dragged in to the bad way that it could go. “It’s different as it’s a nice, short journey, but everyone will be prepared and ready to give 100% to try and win. “We’ve got to keep level-headed. You can’t underestimate them as they’re a good team, who’ve won most of their games and are at top of the table. “We won’t take anything lightly, but we’re going there to win and to upset them.” Howell continued: “We’ve gone seven games unbeaten, so we’ve got confidence and players who can go out there and do the job. “So it’s a big clash and we’re going to have to see what happens.” ----------------------- Mansfield aim to end ten years of hurt against arch-rivals Chesterfield Nottingham Post Friday, September 27, 2013 THERE is more than one big derby tomorrow. And while Nottingham Forest and Derby lock horns at the City Ground, Mansfield Town will do battle with their enemies Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium (1pm). http://www.nottinghampost.com/story-19852551-detail/story.html? It is six years since the two bitter rivals met in a league game and the Stags have not beaten the Spireites away since way back in 2003. But they have a great chance of ending almost ten years of hurt. Chesterfield might be unbeaten at the top of League Two ahead of the game, but Mansfield are hot on their heels in fifth place. And boss Paul Cox knows just how much Town fans would love to celebrate a victory. "Myself and the players know what it means to the supporters," he said. "I've got to be professional and look at it as being another game, but I do understand what it means to the supporters. "It's a big game and it's what we're all in this business for." The Stags go into the derby in good form, a 3-0 home win against Northampton Town last Saturday extending their unbeaten run to seven league games. They already look capable of staging another assault on promotion, having only just returned to the Football League as Conference champions. But Chesterfield, who have won seven of their first eight league games to sit four points clear at the top of the pile, will be the biggest test of their promotion credentials so far. "The manager there has got a nice group of players to choose from," said Cox. "You've got to take your hat off to them because they've had a very impressive start to the season." It promises to be a great occasion and Mansfield fans will be hoping their new hero Sam Clucas can make it five goals in five games. The Stags were ordered to pay non-league Hereford United £20,000 for the attacking midfielder by a tribunal this week - and also had to agree to a 15 per cent sell-on clause. Cox thinks it's a great bit of business for the club, after the start the 23-year-old has made to his career at Mansfield. "It's actually a £15,000 down payment, with £5,000 after 15 appearances," he said. "It's an excellent deal for the club. "Everyone knows what Sam brings to us and I think he's going to get even better and play at a high level. "We've over the moon with the outcome. "His start to the season is all down the lad. He's listening and learning, he's great to work with. "He's working hard and if he carries on doing that the stars are going to be his limit." And while Cox knows Clucas could be his match-winner against Chesterfield, he knows it will take a huge team effort to claim the victory everyone craves. "We can talk about individuals all the time, but I think as a group of players they are working extremely hard and seem very hungry at the minute," he said. "Individuals can win you matches, but as a whole the group are working extremely hard. I can guarantee they will be pumped up for this one and we'll give our all." ----------------------- Chesterfield FC boss Paul Cook praises his Mansfield counterpart chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 27/09/2013 Chesterfield boss Paul Cook has praised his Mansfield Town counterpart Paul Cox for their excellent start to the season. The former Accrington Stanley boss says he has been impressed by the workrate shown by Stags and the quality of signing made by Cox following their return to the Football League. The two sides lock horns for the first time in five years on Saturday with three points and local pride up for grabs Cook, who signed a new contract extension this week, said: “Sam Clucas is a fantastic player and Mansfield have made a good signing there, but they’ve got a lot of good players and we’ll prepare as a team and how they’ll set up and not just focus on individuals. “We know what Mansfield do and we’ve got great respect for them. I think they’re having a fantastic year and Paul’s done a really good job. “To get out of that Conference is a really tough task. To go on the run they went on showed really good character and team spirit and the work ethic of the group. “They’ve not taken long to find their feet in the league. They’ve had some strong results and they’re going in the right direction so we’re all looking forward to the game on Saturday.” But, despite the sell-out crowd and the importance of the derby, Cook says he will not prepare for the game any differently “In terms of how we dominate possession and how we look to play the game, it won’t change, it doesn’t change for anyone,” added Cook. “It’s going to be a great occasion for the area. It’s got everything supporters queue up in the rain to get tickets for. “We know what it means to our supporters but we also know what it means to be top of the league and get promoted.” Mansfield have not beaten Chesterfield since Liam Lawrence memorably struck deep into injury time to seal a 2-1 win at Saltergate in January 2003. Chesterfield emerged victorious the last time the two sides played each other during an FA Cup first round tie in November 2008. Both sides have won 25 games a piece during the previous 64 meetings. Mansfield have a clean bill of health apart from the suspended Martin Riley and injured Chris Clements. Chesterfield are expected to recall striker Marc Richards, who missed the 1-0 win at Oxford last weekend with a thigh strain. -------------------- Spireites fired up for visit of Stags 26 September 2013 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/spireites-fired-up-for-visit-of-stags-1-6084372 Chesterfield’s first team coach Kevin Lynch believes form will well and truly go out the window in the eagerly-anticipated showdown with Mansfield Town. Saturday’s derby match against the Stags will be the first meeting between the two clubs - separated by just 12 miles along the A617 - in almost five years. It also sees two of the division’s in-form sides go head-to-head in a rivalry which will have more than local pride at stake for both sets of supporters. Lynch said the whole club is looking forward to the visit of Mansfield and called for calm heads from his troops in the heat of the battle. He said: “It’s what football is all about and we’ll need to keep the lads focused. It will not be easy for either team but all we can do it concentrate on ourselves and our lads are good to go. “These are the games professional footballers want to play in and crowds want to watch. We kick every ball and head every ball on the sidelines too.” Chesterfield claimed the bragging rights the last time the bitter rivals met, after knocking Stags out of the FA Cup in November 2008. While Spireites boss Paul Cook has been rewarded for his side’s unbeaten start to the League Two season with a new deal until the summer of 2016. --------------------- |
Latest | October 2013