Archived News from November 2013
|
DYER RETURNS / FLEETWOOD PREVIEWS
|
 |
|
Dyer returns from Hereford
mansfieldtown.net, 21st November 2013 Striker Ross Dyer has returned to One Call Stadium following the expiry of his one-month loan at Hereford United. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/dyer-returns-from-hereford-1187119.aspx#DMsiog4aPWEDkxJL.99 The 25-year-old scored four goals in five appearances for Martin Foyle’s side, including a brace in a 2-2 draw with Chester at Edgar Street. Hereford currently occupy 17th position in the Skrill Premier, having amassed 21 points from their 19 matches so far this term. Dyer could be included in our matchday squad when we make the journey to high-flying Fleetwood Town on Saturday. ----------------- video interview with Paul Cox http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/3544969 video interviews with Lee Stevenson and Jake Speight http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/3545305 --------------- Trio vying for a starting place mansfieldtown.net, 21st November 2013 Chris Clements, Martin Riley and Ryan Tafazolli will all be vying for a place in our starting xi, when we make the trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/trio-vying-for-a-starting-place-1187489.aspx#fxbR7jq5o7MSDRPZ.99 The trio completed a full 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match against Huddersfield Town earlier this week, which came as a huge boost to manager Paul Cox. Speaking at his press meeting ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to the North-West, our boss said: “It was a really good fixture for us [at Huddersfield]. “I didn’t want a game where we would be strolling around and admiring ourselves. I wanted a game where we would be tested physically. “The massive plus was that all the injured boys came through the 90 minutes, and were in [at the club] yesterday to have a flush out. “All of them are feeling good today, so it’s a massive positive.” Cox continued: “When you lose so many players at such an important time, and we’re not talking about minor injuries, we’re talking medial knee ligament injuries, it’s really tough on any football club. “But it’s pleasing that we can see light at the end of the tunnel now. “Hopefully, I can get one or two [players] back and I can start to pick what I feel is a consistent squad and a consistent 11.” Cox also reflected on our season so far, in which we have amassed 21 points from 16 matches in Sky Bet League Two. “We hit the ground running at the beginning of the season. We were doing all the things that we’re good at, and what won us a championship last year,” said Cox. “There are different factors as to why you have a bad run of form, but you have got to put it down to the fact that we’ve had some very good players missing from the squad. “In turn, what that does is it [allows] one of two people to subconsciously take their foot off the pedal, because they know they’re going to be picked week in, week out. “This job is very easy when you’re winning every week, but you find out about your players and yourself when things aren’t going so well. “I’m never one to panic and what I’ve maintained is that we will see where we are at Christmas time, and then we will plan from there. “We’re going through a blip at this minute. What we’ve got to get back to doing is being robust, like we were at the start of the season. “There were a lot of people who were questioning our ethics and morals at the beginning of the season, but we were winning matches. “The boys are honest, they’re working hard and as I see it, they will come through it.” --------------------- Injuries boost for Stags at Fleetwood chad.co.uk, 21 November 2013 Paul Cox is delighted to welcome four key players back from injury into his Mansfield Town squad for Saturday’s tough trip to promotion hopefuls Fleetwood Town. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/injuries-boost-for-stags-at-fleetwood-1-6258889#.Uo4G-WHL8z0.twitter But there is a question mark over the fitness of striker Jake Speight, who was recalled from his loan spell at Alfreton to play in last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat by Oxford United. Manager Cox has centre halves Martin Riley and Ryan Rafazolli back at his disposal along with talented midfield playmaker Chris Clements and striker Ollie Palmer, the former three coming through a midweek reserve outing at Huddersfield Town and the latter feeling fit after resting his injured hamstring. However, Speight could miss out after not training this week with fluid on the knee. Cox was still a happy man with the four extra bodies available for Fleetwood and said: “It’s a real positive to get them back. Huddersfield are top of their reserve league and it was a great fixture for us. I didn’t want people strolling round, admiring themselves. We needed to test players physically. “Chris did tire a bit later on, but the other two looked as if they had never been away. “They were in yesterday for a flush out and all were feeling good. “To get Chris and Martin back would be a huge boost. And Ryan has not looked out of place for such a young, commanding defender when he has played. “It will probably take them a little time to get back to full match fitness. But it will give us better options.” With injuries and suspensions biting hard, Mansfield have gone seven league matches without a win and Cox said: “The injuries we have had would cause problems for any club at this level, but we can see light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully I can start to pick a consistent squad and a consistent XI now. “I am never one to panic. We have had horrendous starts the last two seasons but, as always, I will see where we are at Christmas and plan from there. “We are going through a blip, as are Exeter who have aspirations of promotion. But we will come through it and the boys are working hard. “We need to get back to being robust. A lot of people questioned our ethics and morals early in the season, but we were winning football matches.” He added: “November is tough in general. But no one is feeling sorry for us. In football when you are winning you will get pats on the back, if not you will get stick. “This time in the last two years I have called for unity and everyone stuck by us. I know our true supporters will stick with us. The reception we got as we left the pitch on Saturday made me smile. They know the club is heading in the right direction. “Like Oxford last week, Fleetwood is another game against a side that have been up there all season and they have good players all the way through the side. But I am more interested in us and what we do.” Mansfield will also be without Jamie McGuire, suspended and missing out on a return to his old club, the suspended James Alabi, and the injured Ben Hutchinson, who is still going to be another week to 10 days. -------------------- Stevo aims for regular starting place mansfieldtown.net, 21st November 2013 Midfielder Lee Stevenson is hoping to affirm a first team place, as we approach a busy period in our Sky Bet League Two campaign. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/stevo-aims-for-regular-starting-place-1188499.aspx#bRWyte48WIf7oD21.99 The 29-year-old has made eight appearances so far this term, and was on target for us in the 3-1 loss to Oxford United last Saturday. Stevenson, who also netted in our 8-1 thrashing of St Albans City the previous week, is determined to work hard in his bid to earn a regular starting spot. He said: “I’m in the team to score goals and get on the end of things. I’ll work hard to try and put myself in the gaffer’s options.” “I wouldn’t say so much [that I need to] prove myself, as my record speaks for itself. “Last season, you could say that [I was playing at] non-league [level], but this season I’ve scored three in my last six games, and [averaged] one in three starts. “I’ve been that throughout my career, so it’s not bad for a midfielder.” Reflecting on our recent league form, Stevenson said: “We’ve had lots of injuries and suspensions and I think we have been unlucky. “We were unlucky in the Bristol Rovers match, but that’s football, we might be saying the opposite after the next seven games.” He added: “We got off to a flyer this season and everyone was a bit more optimistic then saying ‘Let’s push for promotion’ and that sort of thing. “If you look at the league table, we’re seven or eight points off the top, and there’s so little in it, it’s the same as last year really. “Football is weird sometimes. If we put a run of three or four wins together, even if we got four or five points, then we are right back in the mix.” Stevenson also believes that midfielder Jamie McGuire is unfortunate to be missing this weekend’s trip to former club Fleetwood Town through suspension. McGuire, 30, received a straight red card for a challenge on Danny Rose in the 3-1 defeat to Oxford United at One Call Stadium in our last outing. “I was probably the closest person to the challenge and I don’t think it was a red card,” added Stevenson. “[Both players] went in whole-heartedly and they both got the ball. It was very unfortunate and it puts a downer on the game when somebody gets sent-off.” ------------------- Recalled Speight touch and go for Fleetwood tester chad.co.uk Jake Speight remains touch and go for tomorrow’s trip to Fleetwood Town as the Mansfield Town striker hopes his latest attempt to resume his Stags career doesn’t suffer another blow. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/recalled-speight-touch-and-go-for-fleetwood-tester-1-6258983 Speight was recalled from loan at Alfreton for last weekend’s home defeat by Oxford, but has not trained since and is now a major doubt. “I have had a bit of fluid on my knee this week. I have just been resting it and icing it and hope it will be right for the weekend,” he said. “The season has been stop-start for me. I was a bit disappointed not to be given a chance. But that’s football. There was no falling out. It was just circumstances and different things were put in front of me that I had to deal with. “I had a hamstring injury pre-season and I wasn’t able to get in the side when the season started. “But I don’t think I have anything to prove. I have confidence in my own ability and know if I play then I will score goals. It is just about getting a run of games and fitting in with the style so I can settle in.” He added: “We just need to get back to winning ways. The league starts to open up around Christmas. That’s when it starts to take shape and you can see where you are going to be. “Earlier in the season we were up there and how we were playing was effective. Every team has a blip and better we have our’s now before Christmas when the league takes shape, We have come strong after Christmas in the past and there is no reason we can’t do that again this year.” Speight admitted his recall from a very successful loan spell at neighbours Alfreton had taken him by surprise. “I had signed until January and expected to be staying there until then. So I was a little bit surprised to be recalled,” he said. “I went there for games and to improve my fitness levels and it took a couple of games to get going. Then I scored a few goals. “The sending-off last weekend killed us a bit. I was up there on my own for most of the game, so it was tough.” Speight knows, whether or not he plays, Stags will have a hard afternoon tomorrow, adding: “Everyone knows what you will get from Fleetwood. They are strong, organised and direct.” ------------------- Stags can follow in Fleetwood’s footsteps, says Stevenson chad.co.uk Lee Stevenson insisted tomorrow’s opponents Fleetwood Town provide an example that Mansfield Town can learn from. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-can-follow-in-fleetwood-s-footsteps-says-stevenson-1-6258952 Stevenson bagged his third goal in four starts for Mansfield Town last weekend as he maintained his impressive career record, and ahead of the Fleetwood trip, explained that current Conference champions Stags should be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the previous year’s Conference winners, who are now flying high in League Two. Said Stevenson: “Fleetwood are a bit like us in that they’ve come up from the Conference, established themselves at this level last year, cemented it and are now pushing on for promotion. They are a team we can look up to really.” Mansfield have gone seven League games without victory, but Stevenson insisted: “Team morale is fantastic, the lads are loving coming into work and there is a buzz about us. We feel like we are going to come through it. “We have got to be a group, stick together as a club and come out of the other side.” Mansfield will be without midfield tiger Jamie McGuire tomorrow as his controversial red card in last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat by Oxford sees him suspended for a return to his old club. “I was probably the closest one to the challenge and I don’t think it was a red card to be honest,” said Stevenson. “He was very unfortunate. Both had gone in wholeheartedly and I think both got the ball. “We started the game very well and, even when they scored I thought we were still on top until the sending-off. “I thought my early header was in, I was off! Unfortunately their keeper pulled off a good save. He is a decent keeper.” However, Stevenson did volley the 10 men level, briefly, in first half stoppage time and said: “I enjoyed that. Being under the cosh, that got us back in the game. I wasn’t going to hit it, but then the kid moved so I thought I’d have a gamble. “It always nice to score a goal and, with three in four now, statistics don’t lie. I am in there to score goals, got on the end of things, work hard and put myself into the gaffer’s options. “I am scoring one every three starts which is not bad and something I have maintained throughout my career, not bad for a midfielder.” Stevenson is convinced Stags can still make an impact at the right end of the table. He said: “There is so little in this league. Football is weird. Put a run of three or four wins together or even four or five points and you can right back in the mix.” Mansfield will be boosted tomorrow by the returns from injury of Chris Clements and Martin Riley and Stevenson added: “We’ve not won many since Chris has been out the team. He is a good player and class on the ball. Martin Riley is a top defender too so it will be a big plus getting them both back.” ----------------- Mansfield Town Football Club facebook page 19 November 2013 Ryan Tafazolli, Martin Riley and midfielder Chris Clements have played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-door friendly match at Huddersfield Town this afternoon, Paul Cox has confirmed to our press office in the last few moments. --------------- Triple injury boost for suffering Stags? chad.co.uk, 19 November 2013 Depleted Mansfield Town are hoping for a triple boost this week as Martin Riley, Chris Clements and Ryan Tafazolli look set to be back from injury in time for Saturday’s tough trip to big-spending high-flyers Fleetwood Town (3pm). http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/triple-injury-boost-for-suffering-stags-1-6254207 Injuries and suspensions have cost Stags dearly recently and they are now without a win in seven League outings. But the centre half Riley and midfield playmaker Clements have been particularly missed and they could also be joined in the squad by Tafazolli and possibly even more recent injury victims Ollie Palmer and Ben Hutchinson, who have made better-than-expected progress. Riley, Clements and Tafazolli all came through the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 defeat in a behind-closed-doors friendly away to a very strong Huddersfield Town side today and Cox will now hoping there is no bad reactions for any of tomorrow. But Stags will be without suspended former Fleetwood midfielder Jamie McGuire who was shown Stags’ sixth red card of the campaign in Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Oxford. “We do need to learn to keep 11 men on the pitch,” said boss Paul Cox. “But, although I don’t want to bleat on about it, we have had the worst injury list since I came to the club and we lost the spine of the side from the start of the season. “So it would be a massive boost for us to get these players back this weekend. We have had to dig deep and go into the loan market, but everyone always wants to play their best XI.” He added: “Fleetwood will be a tough game, but six to eight weeks ago we were up there with them and we need to get back there and back to the standards, ethics, morals and everything that had us winning football matches. We need to stop making silly errors. “But I can’t ever remember everything being rosy throughout a whole season. It’s the human element. Players are human and they feel pressure, they feel hurt, they lose form, they get ill and they lose confidence. “There are so many ups and downs. But it’s all about mindset in the end. Start believing the hype and that you have arrived and that’s when the wheels come off.” Fourth-placed Fleetwood were knocked off top spot by a last minute goal at struggling Northampton last weekend and have already lost three times at home. Stags face another trip then on Tuesday when they head to 11th-placed Burton Albion, who have just lost two League games on the bounce after three straight wins. ---------------- Huddersfield Town U21s put four past Mansfield in friendly http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-u21s-put-four-6323337? Despite the scoreline, it was a solid workout for Town and their opponents, with Steve Eyre's side having the more clinical edge to their finishing Fringe strikers Cristian Lopez and Duane Holmes were on target as Huddersfield Town's Development Under 21s scored a 4-0 friendly success against Mansfield. Despite the scoreline, it was a solid workout for Town and their opponents, with Steve Eyre's side having the more clinical edge to their finishing. Tommy Smith and Jordan Sinnott were Town's other scorers in the match, which was played at Canalside and provided action for the Development squad during a break in their league fixtures. Town's team was Ed Wilczynski, Jake Carroll, Murray Wallace, James Burke, Tommy Smith, Robbie McIntyre, Dale Hopson, Jordan Sinnott, Duane Holmes, Paul Mullin and Cristian Lopez. Town used three late substitutes from the Academy in Nathaniel Pells, Fraser Horsfall and Joe Wilkinson. ---------------------- Highbury heartbreak for Fleetwood Mac http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/fleetwood-town/highbury-heartbreak-for-fleetwood-mac-1-6257764 21 November 2013 Mansfield Town will be missing an influential man when they travel to Highbury this weekend, a figure very familiar to Fleetwood fans. No club knows better than Fleetwood Town the passion Jamie McGuire brings to the game. And more than a few will surely be relieved the former Town midfielder won’t be lining up against his former club when Saturday comes. McGuire ensured he would be watching Saturday’s clash from the stands when he was sent off for a tackle on former Highbury team-mate Danny Rose in the Stags’ 3-1 defeat to leaders Oxford United last weekend. The 30-year-old, who got his first taste of League Two football with Fleetwood last season before being released in the summer, would love to have been involved. “It’s just one of those things,” he told The Gazette. “It wasn’t a red card. “Their players have crowded round and the decision’s been made literally as it’s happened. “If you see it on the television replay, I don’t think the angle helps. They said I went in two-footed but I haven’t. “But the club haven’t appealed and I’ll have to watch on Saturday from the stands.” McGuire was one of a number of Fleetwood players in contention for a new deal over the summer who ended up a victim of boss Graham Alexander’s first-team cull. An almost ever-present during the club’s first Football League campaign, he’s still got a great affinity with the Highbury club. “I’ve missed the fans,” he admitted. “They were fantastic during my time at the club and gave me so much support. “The chairman did too. Whenever I needed help he’d make sure I was seen right. “He was brilliant for me and I’ve a lot to thank him for. “I had a great four years at Fleetwood and I’ll always remember those years. “I still look out for the results, it’s good to see them doing well.” The Birkenhead-born midfielder wasted no time in finding himself a new home. And he’s been able to run the rule over his replacements at Highbury, Steven Schumacher, Jeff Hughes, Stewart Murdoch and Antoni Sarcevic. “They’ve brought in real quality,” said McGuire. “With the players they’ve got, Fleetwood can win that league. “They’ve not really got ahead of the pack yet, nobody has. “But you can see them going on a bit of a run, somebody is going to at some point.” McGuire is hoping that run won’t start this weekend when the Stags visit Highbury. He was in the Fleetwood side when the clubs last met, in March 2012, when goals from Jamie Vardy and Shaun Beeley helped Fleetwood to a 2-0 win, extending their lead at the top of the Conference to nine points. McGuire is hoping Mansfield will be more of a match for Town this time around. “We’ve got a decent side,” he said. “I expect we’ll go to Highbury and give it a good go. That’s what you want. “We’ve got some good players, like Sam Clucas. “Hopefully the gaffer will choose a team to give Fleetwood a game. “There’s no point going there, putting men in behind the ball and hoping for something. “We want to give it a real go and try to come back with the points.” ------------------------ Welcome returns for Fleetwood clash chad.co.uk The Stags finally have positive news on the injury front, as they prepare to welcome back four of their first team squad for the tough trip to Fleetwood. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-welcome-returns-for-fleetwood-clash-1-6261993 Chris Clements, Martin Riley, and Ryan Tafazolli all completed 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Huddersfield in the week, and Ollie Palmer has recovered from a hamstring injury, as all four come back into contention for Saturday. It’s a much welcome boost for the Stags, who are looking to arrest the slide after a winless seven games. Though the ranks have been depleted, poor discipline has cost them this season too: Jamie McGuire is suspended for tomorrow’s game, after picking up Mansfield’s sixth red card of the season. Forward James Alabi is also ruled out for his on-field indiscretions. There’s an interesting name in the Fleetwood Town squad, as Nathan Tyson is expected to feature after joining them on loan this week. The former Forest and Derby striker has joined the Cod Army from Fylde coast rivals Blackpool. Fleetwood will also have Daniel Carr ready to make his début, after joining on loan from Huddersfield. The north-west outfit have had to act quickly to replace injured strikers Jamille Matt, and David Ball. Both sides go in to the game looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats: As the Stags languished against Oxford, Fleetwood were knocked off top spot by a 90th-minute winner from Northampton. Ominously, Stags have never beaten Fleetwood, and have failed to score at Highbury in every visit. Fortunately though, it’s record that only stretches back to 2010, when the teams first met. Despite being the joint top scorers in the division, Fleetwood have lost six of their 16 league fixtures this campaign, and Mansfield will be hoping to capitalise on those inconsistencies. --------------------- Alfreton Town: Nicky Law says Jake Speight recall is a blow http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24993201? 19 November 2013 Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law says Mansfield Town's decision to recall striker Jake Speight is a blow. The injury-hit Stags used the 24-hour recall clause to get the on-loan striker back to play in Saturday's League Two game against Oxford United. "We had just extended the loan from a month to three, so it's a blow." Law told BBC Radio Derby. Speight scored five goals in six games for the Reds and was not due back at his parent club until late December. Law added: "We thought he would be with us for the foreseeable future. It's disappointing but what can you do? We will just have to get along without him." Speight, 28, joined Alfreton in early October and extended his stay at North Street two weeks later. ----------------- |
Latest | November 2013