{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from February 2016

MURRAY ON DANIEL, PEARCE RED CARD, YUSSUF
27th February 2016 11:11


twitter, Mon 22 Feb 2016

Mansfield Town @mansfieldtownfc

Stags' boss Adam Murray has confirmed that he will 'have a conversation' with Port Vale about the availability of winger Junior Daniel.

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

Murray keen on Port Vale winger
mansfieldtown.net, 22nd February 2016

Stags’ boss Adam Murray has today declared his interest in bringing Port Vale’s versatile winger Colin Daniel back to One Call Stadium on loan.

The 28-year-old, whose nickname is ‘Junior’, made over 70 appearances for the Stags during a two-year spell between 2012 and 2014, helping the Stags win promotion back into the Football League before leaving for Port Vale.

And manager Murray has stated that he is keen on bringing the versatile Eastwood-born man back to Nottinghamshire and plans to continue discussions with his parent club over the move.

“He was a great player in his first spell here. From my point of view, we didn’t see half of what I believe is in Junior Daniel. It depends on Port Vale, I know he’s not been in the last couple of squads.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/murray-keen-on-port-vale-winger-2967860.aspx#E1sqLzwumd6aUtmB.99

“We will have a conversation with them (Port Vale). He was here watching the game [against Dagenham & Redbridge]. I like him, he’s a very good person, which you know is big to me in my recruitment.”

Speaking further, Murray also believes he can help Daniel fulfil his potential and thinks the winger possesses the attributes that would aid Mansfield’s Sky Bet League 2 promotion push.

“I think there’s so much in there, ability-wise. He would give you options across the frontline. If we could do something, I would be interested in it because I do believe that even moving forward into next season, I could get a lot more out of Junior Daniel than we’ve probably seen.

“He’s got a lot of pace, a lot of energy [and] a superb left foot. He can create, he can score. The chairman I know is really proactive in us getting promoted now we’re in the mix so we’ll see where that goes.”

You can view Murray’s full news conference on Stags Player.

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

Port Vale: Colin Daniel poised to join Mansfield Town
stokesentinel.co.uk, By Mike Baggaley, February 22, 2016,

PORT Vale winger Colin Daniel is poised to join Mansfield Town on loan, manager Rob Page has revealed.

The 28 year old has only started 13 games this season, scoring twice, and has dropped down the pecking order at Vale behind wide-men, Byron Moore, Matty Kennedy and Sam Kelly.

Daniel joined Vale in the summer of 2014 when Micky Adams brought him in on a free transfer from Mansfield. His return to the Stags on loan will give him an opportunity to play regular football rather than be confined to action in the reserves with the Valiants.

Page said: "I have spoken to Mansfield. A couple of clubs have shown interest in League Two and a couple of non-league as well who are ambitious to get back into the league.

"He is not in my 18 at the minute, so go out and play games. Mansfield have shown interest so he went to have a look at their game on Saturday. We will hopefully get it confirmed later today that he will be going on loan there."

Read more: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Colin-Daniel-poised-join-Mansfield-Town/story-28784021-detail/story.html#ixzz40urgIcve

-----------

twitter, Sat 20 Feb 2016

BBC Nottingham Sport @BBCRNS

Adam Murray says former #Stags winger Colin Daniel was at Field Mill today as he left out of Port Vale squad. 1/2
Murray says that he will talk to his chairman about Daniel because #Stags "need another option when going for games." 2/2

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

Manager praises fans' contribution
mansfieldtown.net, 22nd February 2016

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray heaped praise on the club’s ‘outstanding’ supporters who helped his side surpass the 50-point mark in Sky Bet League 2 on Saturday at One Call Stadium.

The Stags’ dramatic 3-2 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge at the weekend was their 14th win of the season and Murray believes the fans have played a big part in the Stags' progression.

“The fans were outstanding on Saturday, it was pleasing to hear them. They’re not criticising people, they’re not getting on players’ backs. They’re backing their team and in the dictionary I think the definition of ‘supporter’ is that. They want us to succeed.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/manager-praises-fans-contribution-2968154.aspx#iw7uTG2jVejHcGPt.99

“It (surpassing 50 points) was a good milestone for us, we’re up there on merit. Now we want to get to 60 points as quickly as we can; that’s our next target. We’ve got some tough games coming up but we’re ready for the fight.”

Mansfield have played the most fixtures in the top half of the division and Murray thinks that obtaining the points on the board is preferable to having surplus matches to play.

“I’m 'over the moon' we haven’t got games in hand because that’s more pressure; you have to win when teams above you have got points. If they [the teams in and around the Stags in the league table] don’t win, we stay ahead of them so we’ve got to keep doing our business.

“The pressure’s on everyone else at the minute, we’re just enjoying being in there [the play-off pack] and enjoying our football. We’ll do our job and watch what happens around us.

“It’s ‘do or die’ time now. This is where it matters. We’re up there [in the League Two table] because we are a good team so we don’t want to let it slip away now. There’s going to be more twists and turns.”

Murray also lauded the influence of Adi Yussuf, who came on in the 51st-minute against Dagenham and provided a much-needed spark to Stags’ attack as he scored and inspired them to victory.

“He scores goals. If he doesn’t score, he creates. He’s been out of the professional game for a long time and when he was in it, he only had three games so he’s a baby. He can’t do any more, fitness-wise, off the pitch.

“He’s constantly in the gym, he’s got a personal trainer. The big thing that’s going to improve him is game time. I thought he was superb on Saturday, [the] best I’ve seen him. He’s going to be an asset for the football club.”

Off the field, chairman John Radford announced in Saturday’s matchday programme, ‘The Stag’, that ticket prices won’t be increased next season, and Murray isn’t surprised by his gesture of goodwill.

“It sums the man up," added Murray. "I know if he could let everyone in for free, he would! That’s the type of bloke he is. He wants everyone in the town to be part of it."

You can view Adam Murray’s news conference, in full, on Stags Player.

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

Mansfield Town weigh up appeal against Krystian Pearce red card
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Monday 22 February 2016

Mansfield Town are today weighing up whether to appeal against Krystian Pearce’s red card in Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Pearce was dismissed for what referee Sebastian Stockbridge saw as a foul on Daggers sub Jamie Cureton, awarding a penalty that Cureton missed.

Video replays show the offence was outside the box and boss Adam Murray also believes it shows wily veteran Cureton made the contact with Pearce rather than the other way round and has been advised he has a good case.

If the red card stands, Pearce will be suspended for the next two games.

However, an appeal costs money, rarely gets upheld and players can have an extra game slapped on their suspension.

“It wasn’t a penalty,” said Murray. “First and foremost it wasn’t a foul.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-weigh-up-appeal-against-krystian-pearce-red-card-1-7742975#ixzz40u5mD3nj

“I think he’s been very cute and when you watch it back in slow motion, he’s leaned into Pearcey rather than the other way.

“He obviously knows Scott’s (keeper Shearer) coming rushing out and if he doesn’t lean into Pearcey, Pearcey probably makes a tackle.

“He has gone down very easily a yard outside the box and eventually got his just rewards.

“We are just in the process of deciding what to do. We feel there is a case there. The referee’s position is not even in shot (on the video) and the linesman is not in line with the actual incident.”

He added: “Obviously these things are tough. Pearcey will miss two games as he has already been sent off which is a kick in the so-and-so’s.

“It could have been even worse as those decisions can cost you three points and the fact it was outside the box is tough to take.

“We got what we deserved in terms of the penalty miss and went on to win the game which was the main thing. But this does affect us moving forward.”

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

Mansfield Town confident FA will take no action over Adi Yussuf ‘Wee-gate’ furore
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town are not expecting any repercussions from the FA over reports that substitute Adi Yussuf was allegedly seen by home fans and staff urinating next to a stand during the 3-0 defeat at Plymouth two weeks ago.

Although he was reported after official complains were made, manager Adam Murray said Yussuf had been told to go there by a steward and home players had done the same.

Murray felt the incident had been blown out of proportion by the media and to avoid any such issues at home, the Stags now have a Portaloo installed for use by substitutes on the Quarry Lane side of the pitch.

Murray smiled: “He’s had to start wearing a nappy!

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-confident-fa-will-take-no-action-over-adi-yussuf-wee-gate-furore-1-7745294#ixzz410qkRLoj

“No, it was blown out worse than it was. Adi had followed the Plymouth players to where they’d gone to the toilet.

“He’d asked a steward as the Plymouth changing room is a million miles away and it was in the middle of a game. If he was due to go on he would have been somewhere round the ground

“So he followed the Plymouth players and asked the steward am I okay to go. No one could see him, they’ve caught him coming out from behind the stand and someone has obviously said something, which we respect.

“We’ve told Adi next time go to toilet and take the punishment from me for not being available to go on for that five minutes. But we have cleared it up at our own end and we’re waiting to hear from the FA.

“We’ve took the step of getting our own Portaloo next to the dug-outs so if anyone needs to go they can go. But it topped off an eventful week.”

He added: “It is tough. You need to hydrate to get your peak performance - and if you hydrate too much you need to go to the toilet. That’s the way the human body works.

“He is now known as the serial pee-er in the dressing room! But the press made it sound seedy like he’d ran on the pitch naked.

“He desperately needed the toilet and though he’d done the right procedure, following the home team’s players and asking the steward and he got the nod.”

Yussuf came on and scored the second goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Morecambe and Murray could not resist saying: “As the Scottish people would say, he always gets into these ‘wee’ situations doesn’t he?

“All joking aside, he scores goals, if he doesn’t score goals, he creates, he sets someone up.”

Yussuf’s fitness has been an issue since he arrived at the club from non-League football at Oxford City.

But Murray said: “I think we’re getting there and he played 45 minutes on Saturday.

“It frustrates me that every time he scores a goal or sets a goal up, he will have 10 minutes where the enthusiasm and the euphoria of it meaning so much to him, he just loses total control of his body and he can’t breathe and he can’t see.

“It’s a learning curve for him. He has been out the professional game a long time and, when he was in it, he only had three professional games. So he is a baby.

“It’s a learning curve for him. He can’t do any more fitness-wise off the pitch. He is one of these who do extra work and is constantly in the gym, he has a personal trainer, and he works with our strength and conditioning coach constantly.

“He wants to learn, he wants to get fit. But the big thing that is going to improve him is game time. You can’t replicate match situations.

“He can only get that by playing and the situation for us has been that we can’t afford for you not to breath while we’re trying to win three points.

“But he’s got a lot better. Not having a reserve team he’s not been able to get regular games.

“So he’s had to learn on the job and get fitter on the job. I thought he was superb on Saturday - the best I’ve seen him. Not just his goal, but his hold-up play and his intelligence.

“Tactically he is becoming so much more aware and he is going to be a massive asset to the football club.

“He’s got a price on his head at the moment and as time goes on I imagine that will get bigger which can only bode well for the club.”

Every time Yussuf does score, his celebrations with his family and fans are quite a sight.

“That’s one thing I’ve liked about this group,” said Murray.

“On Fridays we always give players tickets for their families and we always need more. It shows the tightness of this group that everybody’s families are involved in it, everybody wants to be a part of it.

“When Adi scores, it’s carnage in the stands. He is really close to his parents, especially his dad, who is a big driver in his career.

“It’s brilliant to see - that bond is super. When he does score it’s one of them - five minutes later he is still clapping the crowd!”

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

Adam Chapman back to win Mansfield Town doubters over
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray said he knows all too well what it’s like when the fans turn on you as Adam Chapman tries to fight his way back into the affection of Stags fans.

Chapman had a successful loan spell at the club, helping them to promotion in 2013 and began this season well enough.

But once his form took a dip he took some vicious stick from home fans who jeered him off the field while being substituted.

However, after five games out the side, Chapman came back for Saturday’s 3-2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge and Murray, who also took some stick at times as a usually successful Stags player in the past, said “He is a great player and I think he came out at the right time.

“Adam took a lot on personally. He played every game, he trained every training session. Mentally and physically he had given everything and it caught up with him. So we gave him a breather.

Read more: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/adam-chapman-back-to-win-mansfield-town-doubters-over-1-7745375#ixzz412NNURRt

“Now he is looking strong and I thought he played well on Saturday. When you get a scapegoat, it takes time to change that.

“I had it here at times where (they shouted) your legs are gone, you’re not good enough, can’t run blah blah blah. Then you come out the team and it’s ‘we’re missing you, we need you ‘ - that’s football.”

He continued: “Chappy is a big guy - a big character. People think he’s older than he is because he’s done so much. But he’s only 26, so he’s got a long time to go in his career and he is very important for us.

“The real fans get behind him and back him, like on Saturday. If you get the odd mumbling that someone doesn’t like him, then that’s football opinions which we appreciate and respect.

“There are people that don’t like me - that won’t change what I am doing.”

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

Manager Adam Murray pleased as happy majority of Mansfield Town fans shout down angry minority
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Adam Murray is delighted to hear Mansfield Town’s happy majority shouting down the angry minority as his side strive to make the play-offs.

Murray’s side are fifth with only 13 games to go against all the odds, yet it seems they simply can’t please some.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Dagenham & Redbridge, Murray was not entirely shocked to hear voices calling for him to quit the club as he headed for the tunnel.

“I thought the fans were outstanding on Saturday. It was pleasing to hear them,” he said.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/manager-adam-murray-pleased-as-happy-majority-of-mansfield-town-fans-shout-down-angry-minority-1-7745410#ixzz414nf5trV

“Obviously we got the normal half-time ‘Murray - it’s time to go, your time’s up young man, get out’, but it makes me laugh.

“At half-time we were in the play-offs and I am getting sacked.

“The good thing at the minute is I’m proud of the real fans because they turn around to the minority - which it is - and go ‘what are you doing? Why are you doing that? It’s just silly’.

“The majority being the true supporters I know they are, they were fantastic on Saturday. They really were.

“They are enjoying seeing us win football matches and a team giving everything they’ve got. They are not criticising people, they are not getting on players’ backs, they are backing their team.

“In the dictionary, I think the definition of supporter is that - so that’s what they are doing at the minute and I am proud of them.

“They’re getting behind us and want us to succeed.”

He added: “The minority can sit there and grumble and they’re obviously having a tough time at home with the missus aren’t they?

“So if they need to take their frustration out on us on a Saturday so be it.

“It doesn’t faze me or the boys. We are focused on winning, as are most of the fans.”

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

Boss Adam Murray urges Mansfield Town on to next milestone
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Having defied the bookmakers and broken through the magic 50-point barrier last weekend, Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray is urging his side to quickly get to the 60-point milestone.

Pre-season, bookies were tipping the Stags to go down, so to go over the 50-point mark last weekend - which should all but guarantee safety - was significant in mid-February

“It was a good milestone for us, but it’s not an acceptance we’re there,” said Murray as he prepared his side for Saturday’s trip to Newport County.

Read more: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/boss-adam-murray-urges-mansfield-town-on-to-next-milestone-1-7746091#ixzz417eFF2Gu

“We are up there on merit and I know how good we can be. The group know how good we can be. Now we want to get 60 points as quick as we can.

“That’s our next target - how quickly can we get there? We’ve got some really tough games coming up but we’re ready for the fight.

“We are in a good vein of form, the boys are really confident at the minute and everyone’s putting a shift in.”

He continued: “When I get punched in the face I like punching people back, so I say to my players - whatever people put in front of you as an individual - get up and go again.

“As much as it sometimes hurts, you have to get up and sometimes you can’t see as you’ve been hit that hard. But you have to get up. We keep doing that as a team.

“When we do get smashed in the face we get up and punch back, not to prove people wrong but to prove us right which is a better feeling.

“I believe in myself as a manager. I believe in my coaches. I believe in all the staff. Everybody - the groundsman, the cleaners, the office staff - we’ve worked tirelessly this season to get where we are.

“Everyone has given everything they can. So for everyone to look up at us now and say ‘I didn’t expect that’ is pleasing.

“For us to go ‘ we knew we could do that is even more pleasing’, so keep punching us. We will roll with the punches and we’ll hit you twice as hard.”

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

Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray wants wins, wins, wins
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town head to relegation-haunted Newport County with manager Adam Murray urging his sixth-placed Mansfield Town side to win, win, win.

The Stags are in the middle of a run of three games against bottom five clubs, having beaten Dagenham & Redbridge 3-2 last weekend and head for South Wales knowing draws are no good to them in a tight table with just 13 games left.

“It’s do or die time now with 13 games to go and we need wins, wins, wins,” said Murray.

Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/mansfield-town-boss-adam-murray-wants-wins-wins-wins-1-7749649#ixzz41CEvfrjH

“It’s the back end now and this is where it matters. We’re not expected to be up there, we know that. But we are up there on merit as we are a good team.

“So we don’t want to let it slip away now. If we can prove everyone wrong right to the end then let’s do it.

“It’s important we stay focused and ruthless with that. There will be a lot of ‘shaky Jakes’ going on around us now. There were some big results on Saturday like Accrington going to Oxford and beating them. And there will be even more twists and turns.

“I am over the moon we haven’t got games in hand as that’s more pressure. You have to win when teams above you have got points. If these teams don’t win we’ll stay ahead of them.

“We have to keep doing our business and just focus on that. Away from us teams have got to play Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday/Tuesday now which with little squads is going to be tough.

“The pressure is on everyone else at the minute. We’re just enjoying being in there, enjoying our football and picking results up. It’s now up to everyone else to put points on the board.

“We will do our job and watch what happens around us.

“We are playing with a lot of freedom. In this position you enjoy proving people wrong. We need to enjoy the environment we’re in at the minute. We are sixth in the table with 13 games to go.

“For this club with how quickly it’s happened, it’s dream world.

“I’ve told them enjoy it and give it everything you’ve got. If it doesn’t work out so be it. If we sit back and go we messed it up because we were anxious or nervous then it’s a crime.

“If we go out there, play our game with energy and enthusiasm, we will stay up there. I am confident in that. These are good moments.

“This time last year it was horrendous and we all wanted to cry every day. “So let’s enjoy coming to work, let’s enjoy playing football, let’s enjoy playing for Mansfield Town as the club is in a great position.”

Stags have some difficult games coming up against promotion rivals after this run of games against strugglers.

They certainly made hard work of finishing off bottom club Dagenham last weekend after Krystian Pearce was sent off near the end of a thriller.

“Our first half bad wasn’t as bad as I first thought,” said Murray after watching the game back on DVD.

“There was just a lack of an end product really. We put some great balls into the box in that first half and just didn’t get enough bodies in there or the timing of our runs wasn’t right.

“They started how we knew they would start - they are fighting for their lives - and it was a scrappy first half.

“We sorted a few things at half-time and second half we were outstanding. It should have been a lot more, though when you go down to 10 men you’re always going to be holding on.

“Dagenham are in a horrible position. It’s not nice being down there, but we said to the boys beforehand that these are the games in which you’ve got to be ruthless. We don’t feel sorry for anyone.

“Unfortunately we have to tread on people’s heads at these times and the boys showed unbelievable spirit again - great togetherness to fight back. We’ve got to keep being ruthless.”

Under new boss Warren Feeney, Newport’s results have picked up recently, only losing once in five games, victories at Morecambe and at home to Carlisle followed by a fine 1-1 draw at Exeter in their past three outings.

“It will tough as they have picked up and got some decent results of late,” said Murray.

“They have some really good performances under their belt.

“It will be a tricky environment. The pitch is obviously tough down there - it won’t be a bowling green of a surface.

“But we can cope with that. We’re used to it as we train on it every day.

“It’s about winning for us now. We need to keep on the path. If we lose football matches, we can’t dwell on it.

“We move on to the next one as we need a certain amount of wins and we’re going to try to get them.”

Mansfield will be without suspended defender Krystian Pearce, whose appeal against last weekend’s red card failed, but the Stags will welcome Junior Daniel back into the squad for the first time in three seasons after he rejoined the club on loan from Port Vale this week.

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

Manager Adam Murray welcomes Mansfield Town pricing plans
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray was full of praise for the club’s announcement it will at least freeze admission prices next season - and try to cut them if possible.

Chairman John Radford is looking into costs now and Murray said it underlines the positive steps the club is taking to build a strong future.

“If he can do it he will,” said Murray of Radford’s efforts. “If he could have everyone coming in for £1 he would, I know that.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/manager-adam-murray-welcomes-mansfield-town-pricing-plans-1-7751082

“It sums the man up. This club is life and soul to him - I know how much he cares about it.

“I see the off-the-pitch stuff, I see him trying every day and giving me ideas of what we can do to improve things.

“I know if he could run it for free he would - that’s the type of bloke he is and that’s how he wants to run the club. He wants everyone in the town to be a part of it.”

Murray added: “The chairman and the board are doing all they can to keep driving this club forward and progressing.

“That’s my biggest driver as a manager is to progress it. It might be one per cent, it might be 50 per cent. Those guys off the pitch are doing the same. “We’ve seen this year, as I said pre-season, the one per cents will add up - and they have.

“Even the rain covers we brought in on Saturday - massive. We were putting them on on Saturday and I was standing there saying I feel like we’re a proper football club now.

“We’re not there yet, but we are getting there. It feels like we are building something here with everyone buying in.

“The rain covers show how far we’ve come. That’s the type of thing. I know the training ground is well on course for next season as well.

“We should be a very proud football club at the minute.”

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

COUNTY SIGN JAKE GOSLING ON LOAN
newport-county.co.uk, 26th February 2016

The Exiles sign winger Jake Gosling on loan from Bristol Rovers.

The twenty-two-year-old midfielder joins the Exiles on a month long loan, that will run up to and including our Easter weekend fixture against Accrington Stanley at Rodney Parade

Jake, who has represented Gibraltar on eleven occasions, started his career at Exeter City, before joining Bristol Rovers ahead of the 2014/15 season.

During his time at Rovers Jake has made over forty appearances and was part of the side that won promotion back to the Football League last season.

“I’m excited to play some games during my time here,” said Gosling.

Read more at http://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/article/county-sign-jake-gosling-on-loan-2975363.aspx#FTdrii0zHrJhQlYB.99

“It’s a situation where I can hopefully help the team out and also benefit myself by getting game time.”

Describing his playing characteristics, Jake explained that he is very much a flexible player, "Most people recognise me as a winger, but I can also play in middle of the park and get on the ball.”

“I’m a player who likes to create chances and I am looking to chip in with some goals as well, which will hopefully excite the Newport fans.”

“I joined in with training today and it seems like there is a great bunch of players here, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Jake will be eligible for tomorrow’s game against Mansfield Town, subject to the Club receiving international clearance.

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

 

Latest | February 2016