Archived News from March 2015
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HARTLEPOOL PREVIEWS
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Boss hails players’ good form
mansfieldtown.net Murray hopes good recent form can continue in Saturday’s game with Hartlepool. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/boss-hails-players-good-form-2346135.aspx#iGYoS2C2Qx1cmmEj.99 Manager Adam Murray has hailed the efforts of our players, whose recent good run of form has lifted us up to 16th position in the Sky Bet League Two table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hartlepool United. Over the last 10 games, our team have amassed 17 points to move eight points clear of the bottom two with nine fixtures of the season left to be played. Since the start of February and during the same time-frame only league leaders Burton Albion (22), Bury (20), Northampton Town (19), Portsmouth (19) and Dagenham & Redbridge (19) have amassed more points than ourselves. Nevertheless, our boss wants supporters to have a sense of perspective as we head into the closing weeks of the campaign. “Nothing has changed from our point of view,” said our boss. “When we lost to Bury, there had to be perspective and when we won on Tuesday there was still perspective. “I think we’re something like fifth in the form guide now and the teams above us are [mostly] the teams in the play-offs. If that doesn’t speak volumes about the journey that we’ve been on, then I don’t know what does. “As I said in my programme notes on Tuesday, we’ve got to be realistic of who we are and where we are at this current moment. “We all know where we want to go and it’ll be brilliant to click our fingers and be there, but at the minute we’re not. “We’re in a situation where we’re fighting for points with a large group of teams and I think Tuesday’s results probably sucked a couple more teams into the fight zone. “So it’s going to be entertaining. We know what we’ve got to do, which is take care of our own business.” Our team will be hoping to extend their good recent run when they visit bottom-of-the-table Hartlepool United on Saturday. The Pools themselves go into the game having recorded back-to-back away wins, which has given them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation to the Conference Premier. Murray continued: “Fair play to them. They’ve kicked in and got some good results, back-to-back. I watched their game at Oxford yesterday and they performed really solidly. “We go there in good form and with confidence, as do they, so it makes for an entertaining game. “The group of teams down there, which I include us in, have all got to go on a good run again to put more points on the board. I said three months ago that this is a battle which will go down to the last day and nothing changes.” In team news, striker Rakish Bingham has picked up a knock and is a doubt for the game against the club where he spent time on loan earlier this season. Otherwise, our boss has no fresh injury worries. For more from Adam Murray - log in/sign up to Stags Player. --------------------- Mansfield manager Murray explains his motivational messages http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02mb1dk ------------------ Stags boss Murray maintains belief that relegation battle will go to the wire chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Thursday 19 March 2015 As Mansfield Town prepare to head to bottom club Hartlepool United on Saturday, boss Adam Murray once again reiterated his belief that the League Two relegation battle will go down to the wire. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-boss-murray-maintains-belief-that-relegation-battle-will-go-to-the-wire-1-7164902 Stags maintained an eight-point gap to the drop zone with Tuesday night’s 2-1 home win over AFC Wimbledon, which was vital as Harlepool, Tranmere and Carlisle below them all won away from home. We know what we’ve got to do and that’s take care of our own business The Stags probably only need to win two of their last nine games to be safe, but Murray will take nothing for granted. “I have said all along I think will all go down to the last game and nothing has changed,” he said. “After Tuesday we are fifth in the form table and the only teams above us are teams in the play-offs. That speaks volumes about the journey we’ve been on. “But we have got to be realistic about where we are. We all know where we want to go and it would be brilliant if you could just click your fingers and be there. “Tuesday sucked a couple more clubs into the fight so it’s going to be entertaining. But we know what we’ve got to do and that’s take care of our own business.” Hartlepool, who looked adrift and doomed at one stage, have just won two away games on the bounce to close that gap to four points and Murray said: “Fair play to them. They have kicked in and got a couple of good back-to-back results. “Their performance was really solid against Oxford. We go there on good form with confidence and they are they are the same, so I am sure it will make for an entertaining game.” Stags’ match-winner on Tuesday was Rakish Bingham, who netted three minutes from time after coming on as a substitute. He enjoyed a loan spell at Hartlepool earlier in the season and will be desperately hoping he has earned himself a start on Saturday. However, Murray said: “He has done well when he’s come on. But I will pick the team based on three months and not on 15 minutes of a game. We will just have to see what fit bodies we’ve got. We have a lot of tired limbs. “Also Rakish picked up a knock when he came on. He is having treatment on that so we will have to see how he recovers.” Murray was delighted with the way his side closed out the win over Wimbledon and feels it showed how his squad is learning. “I am full of beans,” he said. “It was a big three points. I had a good day yesterday recapping it and spent part of the day studying Hartlepool. I feel full energised and ready to go. “The best part of the night was the final whistle. We started really well, set the tempo of the game, and should have been ahead by half-time. “But in the second half we let them back in it halfway through and they had couple of chances which, fortunately for us, they didn’t take. Then we showed our character and spirit we are building in the group. “I was pleased how we put them on the back foot for the last 15 minutes and how we managed that last 10-15 minutes. It was very professional.” He added: “You have to have a strong mindset. Instead of being 1-0 or 2-1 up and going onto the back foot and inviting pressure, we saw the game out well. It’s whatever it takes to get three points on the board. It’s not about entertaining and going for another goal. It’s about being professional and not being gung ho. “If you stick everything in the box, their keeper could claim and pump a long ball downfield where your centre half falls over, the centre forward scores, and it’s 2-2. “Bury did it excellently on Saturday. With 15 minutes to go they headed for the corners and put the tents up. This is football and it’s nothing new. That’s happened over a million years and I can’t see it changing. “We need a balance between entertainment and being effective and winning games. We are starting to understand that now. We have a young squad and probably showed a bit of naivety in the second half. We came under some pressure and we rocked a bit. It’s part of our learning curve and when we had to stand up tall and go again we did, so all credit to them.” -------------- Stags manager Murray not worried about loss of loans system chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Thursday 19 March 2015 Adam Murray is not too worried about FIFA’s plans to do away with this country’s emergency loans system next year, despite making full use of it this season. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-manager-murray-not-worried-about-loss-of-loans-system-1-7164995 The Stags manager said he would be happy to concentrate on building a squad of his own players. “It would be a lot better if you were working with and preparing your own group of players, then a club can get away from the loans,” he said. “It gives you a strong base. The loans we have had have been absolutely excellent. But if we could make them permanent and grow with what we are trying to build here, it would be good for everyone. “You do have to be analytical about who you are bringing in as well. They need to be the right character. Whatever their ability, if someone comes in and upsets the applecart you are right in the so and so.” Murray said he had received enquiries about current players from elsewhere, but no one was going anywhere and he would love to sort out keeping some of his players for next season once safety is achieved. “There has been interest in a large group of our players, both for permanent moves and loans,” he said. They do want to stay on board and enjoy the culture we are creating here. “They want to be a part of it. But I won’t let our focus come off the green grass as we are not where we need to be yet. Then I will pay a bit more attention to securing players. “There will be no movement going out at the minute, even with the boys not in the squad. Even they are kicking every ball from the sidelines. “The team spirit we have created here in three months, you’d be happy to create in a year.” Stags are currently trying to end the loan of Brighton winger Jeffrey Monakana, whose month expires this weekend. “We are a bit further forward down the line, it’s looking positive and we are hoping for some news in the next 48 hours,” said Murray. ---------------- Hartlepool United v Mansfield Town: Match preview By Sarah Clapson, Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town boss Adam Murray revealed he has had to fend off interest in some of his in-form players. Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Hartlepool-United-v-Mansfield-Town-Match-preview/story-26201599-detail/story.html?#ixzz3Uul07CTd But he states no-one will be leaving the club before the emergency loan window closes next week, and talks are already underway about turning some of their loanees into permanent signings. Murray has already stated he would like to extend striker Billy Kee's stay from Scunthorpe United into next season. The likes of goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley (Newport County), defender Callum Elder (Leicester City) and forward Vadaine Oliver (Crewe Alexandra) have also impressed. And with Stags on a good run of form, other clubs are beginning to take note. The manager though, is keen not to take his eye off the job in hand and concentrate on securing survival. "There's interest in a large group of our players at the minute, permanents and loans," said Murray, who is close to extending Jeffrey Monakana's spell from Brighton and Hove Albion. "And that's a credit to them. "We've got the players here who want to stay here. They want to stay on board with the environment and the culture we're creating here. They're enjoying it and they want to be part of it. "We've had brief talks with people. At the minute, I won't let the focus come off the green grass. We need to complete the job. There's a lot of work still to do yet. "Once that's done and I feel we've achieved that, then we'll put a little bit more attention into securing players. "There will be no movement from us going out at the minute. "We're happy - even the boys who aren't in the squad at the minute. "They've bought into everything and are kicking every ball with the lads." World governing body Fifa wants to bring an end to the emergency loan system, which allows clubs to make signings outside of the two transfer windows. Although Murray would like to rely on a group solely of Mansfield players, he appreciates the difference loanees have made to his squad this term. "It's going to be a little bit more down to our planning and our preparation," he said, when asked how Fifa's initiative would affect him. "But as a club, if we can get away from the loans and have our sole group here as our players, it adds to a strong place. "The loans we've had this season have been absolutely exceptional. "The ones we've got in the building at the minute have been a major part of what we've done. "If we can make them permanents and help them grow into what we're trying to build here, then I think it's best for everyone." -------------- Bingham aims for fitness to face old club mansfieldtown.net, 19th March 2015 Frontman hoping to shake off a knock in time for trip to North-East. Striker Rakish Bingham is relishing the prospect of facing former club Hartlepool United this weekend, should he shake off an injury in time for the match. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/bingham-aims-for-fitness-to-face-old-club-2345343.aspx#TVaDzVy1u1ZXqZhc.99 The 21-year-old came off the bench to score the decisive goal in our midweek victory over AFC Wimbledon, but picked up a knock in doing so, which means he could now be a doubt for the game at Victoria Park. “I was delighted to get the match-winner and help push us forward,” said Bingham. “I came on for 15 or 16 minutes and the thrill to get the winning goal is all that matters. “I think the substitutions have been vital over the last few games. Everyone in the camp has brought a positive vibe and an impact to the team and us three coming off the bench on Tuesday helped [the result].” The youngster continued: “The gaffer and ourselves were all hurting over the Bury performance, because we know that we’re better than that. So we made sure as a team that after that result, we worked hard to put things right. “It will go down to the wire for who gets relegated and who stays up, but I feel that as a team we need to focus on ourselves and not look too much at which teams are down below us or which teams are around us [in the league table]. “As long as we keep picking up points and doing well as a team then I see us having no worries.” Speaking about his current knock, which seemed to occur after he was pushed towards the ball just seconds before hitting the winner, he said: “I took the momentum into it and my hip is still sore. I thought ‘Where did I get that bump from?’ but looking back at the video I can see why.” Reflecting on his one-month loan spell at Hartlepool earlier this season, he said: “I had a great time there. I made some good friends there and had a good relationship with the manager (Ronnie Moore) as well as the fans. “I had a feeling that they were going to get some results and push up [towards a safe league position] and my feeling was right. That’s the feeling I had leaving the camp there. The striker added: “It’s going to be an interesting game, but I’m going to put my personal stuff aside and focus on our team and hopefully we can get a win there.” --------------- No sentiment as Stags striker Bingham lines-up Hartlepool in his sights Loan deal was good for player and both clubs chad.co.uk, by John Lomas Rakish Bingham returns to Hartlepool United tomorrow with one aim - to help Mansfield Town to three more crucial safety points against the League’s in-form bottom club. http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/no-sentiment-as-stags-striker-bingham-lines-up-hartlepool-in-his-sights-1-7164959 The young striker enjoyed every minutes of his time there on loan in January and made a lot of friends, but he said all that would be put to one side as he tries to help his parent club push the North-East outfit closer to the Conference trapdoor. Bingham, signed from Wigan Athletic earlier in the season, will also be hoping for a rare start, a sore hip permitting, after bagging the late winner as a substitute in Tuesday’s 2-1 home win over AFC Wimbledon. “I was delighted to be the matchwinner and push us forward,” he said. “I took the momentum into a challenge as I shot and my hip is still sore. Looking back at the video I can see why. “I came on with 15 or 16 minutes to go and just the thrill of getting the winning goal was all that matters in the end. “I thought the substitutions were vital in the last couple of games. There is a really positive vibe in the camp. “The gaffer was hurting and we were all hurting over the Bury performance as we know we are better than that. We made sure we put it right on Tuesday.” Stags are eight points clear of the drop zone with nine games to go and he said: “It will all go down to the wire for who gets relegated and who stays up. “As a team the focus must stay on us. As long as we keep picking up points I can’t see any worries for us.” On his time at Hartlepool, who have just won two away games on the bounce to raise hopes he added: “I had a great time there and I made some good friends down there. I have a good relationship with the manager and the fans. I have learned quite a lot since coming from U21 football to men’s first team football “But I will put my personal stuff aside, focus on the team and hope we can win there. I need to focus on Mansfield and what we can do. “It is always very windy there and it will be tough conditions. But we will both be playing on the same pitch and we have just got to handle it better than they do. “I had a feeling they were going to get some results and push up and my feeling was right. There is a positive vibe in the camp. “But I have always been a Mansfield player. I went there for the experience and it turned out to be a positive thing for both clubs, the gaffer and me as well. Now I am here fighting for Mansfield. “When I got to the club, confidence seemed very low. But Ronnie Moore came in as manager and his experience has really helped a very young group of players there. “I don’t think they should be where they are as they are a huge club not long out of League One. I always knew they were going to turn it round. “I was a little low on confidence at the time. You wonder if you can do it at this level, not just at Mansfield. It helped me get that confidence back. “I don’t have any grudges or bitterness. I just felt I needed to be playing first team football to aid my development and help Mansfield in the future as I need game time and experience.” With Billy Kee’s loan from Scunthorpe set to expire early next month, Bingham knows he will move up the pecking order of strikers. “I am ready whether he stays or goes,” he said. “I need to focus on me and what I think I can do to help the team. “Billy has been great for us since he’s been here. He is a great character to have around and has had a positive impact on the team. “We are all in it to win it together. We are all good off the pitch too which helps. We all stand together. One man won’t do it alone. “I have learned quite a lot since coming from U21 football to men’s first team football. On a personal level it’s been a positive season for me with a lot of ups and downs. I have learned an awful lot that helps me as a player and on a personal level as well.” ----------------- Team News: Pools v Mansfield Town Posted: Thu 19 Mar 2015 hartlepoolunited.co.uk We take a look at the latest from both camps ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two meeting with Mansfield Town at Victoria Park (3pm kick-off). Ronnie Moore could name an unchanged starting eleven for the third game in a row after his new-look line-up recorded back-to-back victories on the road. Read more at http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/article/team-news-hartlepool-united-v-mansfield-town-2345663.aspx#by5RDOO4uOjqgwRG.99 The Pools boss opted for a 3-5-2 formation during wins at Morecambe and Oxford United, and now he must decide whether to deploy the same tactics as his side return to home soil. Moore has no new injury worries to contend with ahead of the game; Matthew Bates (leg), Scott Fenwick (ankle), Stuart Parnaby (knee) and Michael Woods (ankle) all remain sidelined. Mansfield striker Rakish Bingham - who spent a month on loan at Pools at the start of the year - picked up a knock scoring Town’s winner against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday and is racing to be fit. Stags boss Adam Murray also changed his shape during that midweek triumph over The Dons and will ponder whether to stick with 4-4-2 for his side’s trip to Victoria Park. ------------------ Hartlepool boss hopes ex-Pools loanee Rakish Bingham has “off day” for Mansfield by Richard Mennear, hartlepoolmail.co.uk RAKISH Bingham has been a “big miss” at Hartlepool United since being recalled by tomorrow’s opponents Mansfield Town. And Ronnie Moore hopes the pacy striker leaves his finishing boots at home when Adam Murray’s 16th-placed Stags head to Victoria Park for the Sky Bet League Two clash. We have missed Bingham, Ronnie Moore Bingham has netted seven goals this season - including one during a five match loan spell at Pools earlier in the season - and he scored the winner for Mansfield against Wimbledon on Tuesday night after coming on as sub. http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/hartlepool-boss-hopes-ex-pools-loanee-rakish-bingham-has-off-day-for-mansfield-1-7165991 Moore is fully aware of the threat posed by Bingham as he ponders whether to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that has served him so well away from home this week. “We have missed Bingham,” Moore told SportMail. “We brought him in because he is a good player and he’s gone back there and scored goals. “We were a bit upset they took him back, they had a panic on, I think. “There was a day left when they could call him and they dropped second bottom - I would have done the same as a manager and took him back, so I can understand it. “He’s scored goals, but hopefully he leaves his scoring boots at home this time.” Moore is considering whether to tinker with his formation for tomorrow’s clash, with Pools now just four points from safety with nine games left to play. He added: “3-5-2 has certainly given me food for thought. “Sometimes people think it is a negative way of playing but there are a lot of teams at this level - and above - that play it and get results. “Everybody knows their role, it isn’t complicated. “Mansfield have been 3-5-2 most of the season but they switched to 4-4-2 the other day. “I don’t think it is about systems though, it is about your players coming in, performing and having a go - that has been evident in the last three games. “You can see the progression we have made since the away game at Mansfield (a 1-1 draw)and the renewed belief and togetherness in the side, even the subs. “We have had nobody being mardy, with their bottom lip out. “If they are going to do that then I won’t sit them on the bench. “I don’t expect them to send me a Christmas card or a cake - it is what is best for the group. “If they perform, then they stay there. And the subs know if they come on, the opportunity will be there for them.” Pools (likely): Flinders, Austin, Harrison, Mirfin, Jones, Duckworth, Featherstone, Walker, Tshibola, Franks, Bird. Subs: Maxted, Richards, Holden, Nearney, Compton, Smith, Hawkins, Compton, J. Jones, Harewood, Morgan. Mansfield (likely): Pidgeley, Beevers, Tafazolli, Riley, Elder, Lambe, Clements, McGuire, Brown, Oliver, Kee. Subs: Studer, Sutton, Monakana, Rhead, Bingham, Ravenhill, Heslop. ------------------- Be wary of any slip-ups against Mansfield Town warns Hartlepool United boss Moore by Richard Mennear, hartlepoolmail.co.uk HARTLEPOOL United’s week on the road “couldn’t have gone better” but Ronnie Moore has urged his players not to slip up against Mansfield Town tomorrow. Pools are now just four points from safety after back-to-back victories over Morecambe and Oxford United. http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/be-wary-of-any-slip-ups-against-mansfield-town-warns-hartlepool-united-boss-moore-1-7165959 Nobody in the bottom four or five can afford to slip up as games are running out. Ronnie Moore, Pools manager Next up is Mansfield Town at Victoria Park tomorrow afternoon and Moore is calling on his side to capitalise on the six points they picked up away from home this week. Moore said: “Our home form has been good, much improved and it’s just a pity we conceded right at the end last time out against Burton. “If we slip up then the hope goes again doesn’t it? “Nobody in the bottom four or five can afford to slip up as games are running out. “We have to win, we have to go for wins and can’t afford to sit back. Win and who knows where it takes us. “Two wins in a matter of days lifts everyone and it is good for the spirit and the belief that they now have. “They can see this could happen now. “Deep down, did they really admit we could get out of it? “Right now, judging by the dressing room the other night everyone associated with the club knows we can and we have to carry that belief through and don’t let it slip and hopes and dreams go up in ashes.” The Pools players enjoyed a light training session at Maiden Castle yesterday after a busy week on the road, the players not getting back until the early hours after the midweek win over Oxford. Back-to-back wins and an away clean sheet for the first time in a year, coupled with the first away win in five months has boosted spirits at the club. “This week has been fantastic - it couldn’t have been any better,” reflected Moore. “The clean sheet thing has been put to bed and six points sets it up nicely. “Could we win five in a row? At this level you never know. “The wins have boosted everyone, but there’s been a good spirit about the place for a while now anyway. “We’ve been seven points, then six, back to seven or more and now it’s a realistic four. “Everyone looks and see it as gettable and other teams now have that fear factor which they’ve not had and how do they handle it.” Pools have no new injury worries. Matthew Bates (thigh), Scott Fenwick (ankle) and Michael Woods (ankle/leg) all remain out injured. * POOLS have slashed ticket prices for Saturday’s clash with Mansfield Town at Victoria Park as club bosses look for a bumper crowd in the relegation battle. Prices are as follows, seating: Adults £12, concessions £6, Standing: adults £10, concessions £5. Ronnie Moore said: “It’s a tremendous gesture from the chairman, he sees the position we are in. “The fans are brilliant and we want the place rocking here tomorrow and it’s up to us to make sure they all go home happy and celebrating.” Tickets are on sale from the Victoria Park ticket office and on the turnstiles prior to kick-off. -------------------- |
Latest | March 2015