Archived News from September 2014
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STAGS CHASE LAMBE + WYCOMBE PREVIEWS
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Football - Lambe set for Stags? Mansfield are set to offer former Ipswich forward Reggie Lambe a deal with the club, Press Association Sport understands. PA Sport https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-lambe-set-stags-133436346--sow.html Lambe, most recently with MLS team Toronto FC, has been on trial with the Stags and impressed in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Worksop this week - scoring two goals in a 3-1 victory. Former Plymouth defender Durrell Berry also featured as a trialist against the non-league side. Manager Paul Cox revealed at his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he hoped to start negotiations with an unnamed player who played in the MLS last season, and it is thought that player is Lambe. "We'll hopefully sit down over the next 24 hours and talk with one, maybe two, players and see if we can bolster the numbers for Saturday," said Cox, who has just 16 fit players available for the trip to Wycombe this weekend. "We know that we've been given the go-ahead to get one, maybe two, players in, but we've got to make sure that they're the right ones. "We're sifting through the players that haven't got a club yet, as well as the players that are available in the loan market, so we've just got to get on with it. "Everyone at the football club is working extremely hard to try and bolster the numbers and hopefully we can get the right players in at the right price and in the right timescale." Lambe began his career with Ipswich and was given his debut by then-manager Roy Keane. He had a loan spell at Bristol Rovers before joining Canadian club Toronto FC in December 2011. In April 2014, the Bermudan signed a three-month contract with Swedish side Nykopings and he has previously had a trial with Bradford. ----------------- twitter, 11th September 2014 Sean Taylor @seantaylorpress Forward Reggie Lambe & defender Durrell Berry featured as trialists for @mansfieldtownfc against Worksop on Tuesday. #stags keen on Lambe Putting 2 & 2 together, I'd say Reggie Lambe is the ex-MLS player @mansfieldtownfc say they may look to talk to in the next 24 hours #stags As I reported this morning, @mansfieldtownfc set for Reggie Lambe talks. My piece via @EurosportCom_EN https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-lambe-set-stags-133436346--sow.html My @mansfieldtownfc / Reggie Lambe story now also being carried by the @football_league website. http://www.football-league.co.uk/league2/news/20140911/reggie-lambe-set-for-mansfield-town-switch_2293326_4136502 twitter, 11th September 2014 Charlie Slater @CharlieSlater15 BBC Nottingham understands the ex MLS player #stags may look to sign is midfielder Reggie Lambe. He used to play for Toronto and Ipswich. -------------------- Cox looking to enter negotiations with trialist mansfieldtown.net, 11th September 2014 Boss looking to add to squad ahead of trip to Wycombe Wanderers. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-looking-to-enter-negotiations-with-trialist-1907777.aspx#RvIx8w1dRuqSjpyu.99 Manager Paul Cox has confirmed that he may look to enter negotiations with an un-named player, who has been on trial with the club. Our boss, who was speaking at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two match at Wycombe Wanderers, is hoping to add to his squad as soon as possible. “We’ll hopefully sit down over the next 24 hours and talk with one, maybe two, players and see if we can bolster the numbers for Saturday,” said Cox. He continued: “We know that we’ve been given the go ahead to get one, maybe two, players in, but we’ve got to make sure that they’re the right ones. “We’re sifting through the players that haven’t got a club yet, as well as the players that are available in the loan market, so we’ve just got to get on with it. “Everyone at the football club is working extremely hard to try and bolster the numbers and hopefully we can get the right players in at the right price and in the right timescale.” Our boss was also pleased with the displays of a number of displays from young players, trialists and first team members in a behind-closed-doors match with Worksop Town earlier this week, which we won 3-1. “I was impressed by one or two of the trialists that came in - even though they’ve got good pedigrees anyway, and the young players we put in,” said Cox. “It was a good 90 minutes blow for the players that maybe haven’t played as much football as we’d have liked.” He continued: “I wasn’t bothered about the result, because it was competitive and that’s all I wanted. Sometimes you can have these behind-closed-doors games and both teams fizzle out after a bit, but this was a good game. “It was fast, it was furious and we got a good look at individuals and it was positive all the way round.” Meanwhile, up to as many as five players could miss the trip to Adams Park through injury. Defender Ritchie Sutton is rated as 50/50, whilst midfielder Simon Heslop is a doubt having aggravated a foot injury sustained in last week’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Notts County. However, there is some positive news as Fergus Bell, who limped off in the second half of the 2-1 victory at Exeter City, has resumed training today. “’Sutts’ [Ritchie Sutton] is touch and go. We’re not exactly sure whether he’ll be fit and it’s something that we’ll have to deal with because there’s only another two fit centre-halves at the club,” said Cox. He continued: “[Simon Heslop] had a couple of stitches in his foot during the game at Notts County and that’s got a little bit infected and opened up. “He’s another strong boy, a good player, and one where if we’re not going to have him in the squad for Saturday, then he’ll be sorely missed.” A full interview with Paul Cox will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe, click here. ------------- Stags hope on signings before Wycombe tester chad.co.uk, 11/09/2014 Injury-ravaged Mansfield Town hope to bring in at least one player to boost their flagging numbers before Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Wycombe Wanderers. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-hope-on-signings-before-wycombe-tester-1-6834795 Stags boss Paul Cox had 16 fit players this morning (Thursday) and has been scouring the country for possible free agent/loan signings to bolster that. Mansfield beat Worksop 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier in the week when some trialists who had been training with the Stags were given a game. Cox is hoping one midfielder/utility player in particular may sign after he scored a couple of goals in that game and did well, though the deal would need international clearance. “We are going to have to push something and I hope there can be a bit of movement,” said Cox. “It’s where we are right now - 16 fit players from the 21 which is not ideal. “I hope over the next 24 hours we can sit down and talk to one, maybe two, of the players and see if we can get something done for Saturday. “I don’t want to have to put players who are not fit on the bench and we would probably have to give some of the U16s a run-out which is not ideal. “The staff have been working hard all week to try to bolster numbers. I hope we can get the right players at the right price in the right time span. “Spirit has never floundered in any way. We have a tight dressing room. The lads know what is needed as a group and they are very focused. It is probably the most together I have seen a dressing room since I came here. But they now need some help with numbers.” Fergus Bell, who turned his ankle at Exeter City after scoring the second goal last weekend, was expected back in training today. But doubts remain over Ritchie Sutton, who has a hamstring strain, and Simon Heslop, who struggled last weekend after his foot became infected after stitches in a wound at Notts County opened up. Cox was delighted with the Worksop friendly, saying: “It was a good blow-out for players who have not played much football of late. It was competitive. The game was fast and furious. A couple of the young lads got a game too.” Stags will be looking to build on last week’s win at Exeter this weekend at picturesque Adams Park where the Chairboys have lost to Tranmere and been held by Bury so far in picking up 11 points from six games. “Wycombe are flying,” said Cox. “Reports we’ve had say they’ve added to their squad, spent a bit of cash, and brought some good players in. They have had some good results. “They are two points above us so it’s the thrill of the chase that if we win we know we can go beyond them.” After the disaster of arriving late then losing at Dagenham, Cox was delighted last weekend to be allowed to take the team overnight to Exeter which he felt helped with their first half freshness. But he was disappointed not to be allowed to do the same this weekend. “We are travelling on the day of the game so people can take out of that what they want,” he said. “It is not ideal and not something I personally want but it is a situation we have to get on with and I don’t want to be making it an excuse after the game. “I don’t want players feeling sorry for themselves. They have to go out there and perform. “When you balance out all the little things they add up to performance and winning football matches and, ultimately, add up to where you finish.” ---------------------- Beevers given new lease of life mansfieldtown.net, 11th September 2014 Experienced right-back reflects on summer shoulder operation, early form and previews Saturday’s clash at Wycombe. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/beevers-given-new-lease-of-life-1908113.aspx#TX3Fc6QbAWWV3Psh.99 Having started his career with Ipswich Town way back in 2002, Lee Beevers has progressed a long way since his Portman Road scholar days. The wing-back has featured for five different Football League clubs, been capped at Under 21 level by Wales and, most recently, won promotion from the Conference Premier with ourselves. However, despite achieving much and experiencing plenty over the past 12 years, Beevers has also endured his fair share of injuries. One of the most persistent problems for the experienced right-back has been with his shoulder, which he first damaged whilst playing for Colchester United in 2009/10. A recurrence of the problem has hindered Beevers’ progress since he joined us two years ago, but since a second operation on the troublesome shoulder five months ago, the right-back now feels as though he is back to full fitness. He said: "[The shoulder] is something that has gone out of the back of my mind now. Over the last season, it was something that was always there. “I had a little bit of a thought of not going in fully and holding my shoulder out a little bit knowing it could come out so easily. So having the operation has lifted me up. “Once it's done and you're back to full strength, it's a great weight off your mind.” Turning his focus to Saturday’s match at Adams Park, Beevers continued: “Going down there, it's always a hard place to go and get a result, but hopefully we can draw on last weekend's performance and come away with the three points again.” Wycombe, who are managed by Gareth Ainsworth, escaped relegation in dramatic style last term - winning 3-0 at Torquay United on the final day, though it was our nervy 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers which ultimately preserved their Football League status. “It would be nice if they tried to repay the favour and let us walk away with the three points, but I don't think it will be as easy as that somehow," he laughed. “They've got to get on with the new season now. They'll obviously be trying to progress on what they did last year and try and improve - the same as we will be.” On our upcoming home ‘double header’ against Morecambe and Carlisle United, the right-back added: "Any team coming down here, we like to think we're going to do well against them. “We try and make [One Call Stadium] a hard place to come, so that any team that does come down here will find it difficult." Lee Beevers' full interview is now available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here. ------------- Beevers happy after summer operation chad.co.uk Lee Beevers feels his second shoulder-pinning operation in the summer has got him back to full confidence in the joint after a couple of seasons of hell. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/beevers-happy-after-summer-operation-1-6835341 The Mansfield Town defender has been hampered by the shoulder dislocating too often and a first operation didn’t seem to do the trick. Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Wycombe, he said the problem had played on his mind during games. “It was always a thought and you sometimes didn’t go in fully,” he said. “I would hold my shoulder back a bit. But the operation has left it fully stable and good to go. “The confidence factor has now come back and it’s a great weight off my mind. The only thing with it is it feels strange taking throw-ins. It feels a bit more restricted than it used to when I put my arms behind my head, so that’s probably the end of my long throws.” Beevers played as a left wing back in last weekend’s fine 2-1 win at Exeter to cover for the ill Rob Taylor and he said: “It is a position I have played before so was nothing out of the ordinary. “It was a long way down there, but to come back with three points made the journey a lot better. “It was a great performance in the first half, fantastic, while the second half was a battle, but we held on. “Something just seemed to click in that first half. The lads played with confidence and wanted to move the ball forward and create as many chances as possible. “We always knew the second half would be like that and that for the first 10-15 minutes they’d throw everything at us.” Filling in for Beevers at right wing back was youngster Liam Marsden, who has also displayed a long throw equal to that of Beevers. “Liam has done brilliantly since he stepped-up towards the end of last year. He didn’t look out of place at all and has continued that and pushed me all the way,” said Beevers. “It’s good to be training with someone young and coming through and it’s always good to pass on a bit of experience to him to help his career as, when I retire down the line, he will keep playing.” Tomorrow Wycombe fans may applaud Stags in the 36th minute to mark the favour Stags did by winning with a 36th minute Colin Daniel goal at Bristol Rovers to keep Wycombe up in May. Beevers added: “Wycombe is always a hard place to go and get a result. “It would be nice if they did us a favour back and let us have the three points but I don’t think that will happen. It’s a new season now and they are trying to improve on last year as we are.” ----------------- Marsden aims to keep progressing mansfieldtown.net, 11th September 2014 Right-back aims for more starts after playing full 90 minutes in win at Exeter City. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/marsden-aims-to-keep-progressing-1908138.aspx#3ryOAbSJziwxqxtj.99 Defender Liam Marsden is hoping to build on a solid display in last weekend’s win at Exeter City when our team travel south to face Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. The Chairboys, who are managed by Gareth Ainsworth, have enjoyed a bright start to the new campaign and currently sit in fifth position with 11 points from six matches. Their form is in stark contrast to last term when they looked destined for the drop going into the final day, as they were three points adrift of relegation rivals Bristol Rovers. However, a 3-0 thumping of Torquay United - coupled with our nerve-jangling 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers - was enough for Wycombe to defy the odds and maintain their Football League status. Nevertheless, Marsden is expecting no favours in Saturday’s encounter. He said: “They’ve had a very good start to the season. They’re in and around the play-offs and compared to last season they look like a completely different team.” On his own form in recent weeks, the right-back said: “You’ve always got to think of the positives. I’ve had a good pre-season and I guess the little ankle injury I had didn’t help - it was terrible timing. “I picked it up in training and it just kept recurring, which meant I was unable to get to full strength, but its fine now.” He continued: “But things are obviously progressing for me. I’m setting more and more goals every year to hopefully get better and keep progressing. “[My goal] is to get more starts in the first team. Last year was obviously a good season - getting my debut and things I didn’t really expect, so I want to keep progressing as a player.” Liam Marsden's full interview is now available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here. -------------------- Marsden stakes claim as local teen lives the dream chad.co.uk Teenage defender Liam Marsden has enjoyed two game in succession for Mansfield Town’s first team for the first time this week and hopes he can now win himself a regular slot. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/marsden-stakes-claim-as-local-teen-lives-the-dream-1-6835346 The 19-year-old local lad, who also boasts a superb long throw, is vying with Lee Beevers for the right wing back slot and was gutted that a pre-season ankle injury saw his hopes of starting the season evaporate. “I was disappointed as I had a good pre-season,” said Marsden. “But Lee Beevers is a good player and I also had that little ankle injury in training which came at a terrible time to pick up an injury. “I am setting myself more goals and I hope to get better and progress as a player. Last season was a good season as I made my debut, which I didn’t expect. “It’s been good being in and around the first team and it has been quite easy to settle in with the boys. “It is always good playing for your local team. It is a dream when you are growing up and watching them and that dream has come true. “Last year was a good season and I think this is a better squad, though it’s not as big.” Marsden’s long throw was discovered by accident in his youth football days and could become one of Stags’ secret weapons as his career progresses. He said: “I started out playing football for Glapwell in the Chad Youth League. The manager watched me throw the ball up the line and said we need you to throw it like that into the box, which got us a few goals to be fair. “But there is no technique to it. I don’t work on it. It is just one of those natural things.” Marsden will head to Wycombe with the squad tomorrow, knowing the fifth-placed Chairboys will be a completely different proposition to last season, when they only avoided relegation on the last day after Stags beat their relegation rivals Bristol Rovers. “They are a completely different team to last season. They’ve had a good start and are flying in and around the play-off places,” said Marsden. “It’s always a hard place to travel and our legs won’t be as good as a home game, but no excuses, we will go down there and try to get three points.” He is hoping Stags can build on last week’s superb 2-1 win at Exeter. Marsden added: “It was a battle at Exeter, but the lads dug deep. We played to our strengths and played the ball well on the floor and in the air with some good passing.” ------------------- Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Mansfield Town wycombe.vitalfootball.co.uk Wycombe Wanderers entertain Mansfield Town on Saturday in their 7th league game of the season. Read more: http://www.wycombe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=370113#ixzz3D1hBSU7m Last weekend saw the Chairboys continue their decent start to the campaign with a goalless draw at home to Bury. Normally a home draw isn't ideal, but the Shakers are tipped for promotion and the Blues gave another good performance in an entertaining game that sent the crowd home happy. In truth, Wycombe should have won it, and if anything is worrying manager Gareth Ainsworth at the moment it's probably his team's failure to convert their chances. The Blues have failed to score in five of their eight outings in all competitions and it's now over four and a half hours since they last found the net. It would be more of a worry if they weren't creating chances, but having built a smashing team over the summer, the missing piece of the Wycombe jigsaw would appear to be the cutting edge. With Paul Hayes operating as a vital and stylish link between midfield and attack, the mantle of striker is up for grabs but so far there have been no takers - the three contenders having scored only one goal between them. Ainsworth has previously said he considers Matt McClure to be the most natural goalscorer at the club, and it was he who got the nod for the first four games of the season before being dropped in favour of Steven Craig. Some would argue that Craig offers a physicality that McClure struggles to match, but the Scotsman's record of 2 goals from open play in 41 appearances for the club suggests that he's not the permanent solution. The final option is new signing Aaron Holloway. Reportedly still on the road to full match-fitness, Holloway has impressed with his ball-skills and hold-up play in the brief cameo appearances he's made so far. Whether he can put the ball in the net remains to be seen when he finally gets his chance. With Craig likely to be rested on Saturday following a suspected concussion, Ainsworth will probably recall McClure, who bagged the last goal Wycombe scored, four games ago at Stevenage. With six league games played, Wycombe are a point better off than they were last season, but anything less than a win on Saturday will drop them below the tally they had achieved after seven games of the last campaign. After last season's trials and tribulations, this season's performances have been a delight to watch, but having won just one of their last five games and only one of four at Adams Park, Ainsworth will be keen to get back to winning ways against the Stags. ---------------------- |
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