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Archived News from September 2016

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8th September 2016 20:35


Murray preparing for visit of strong U's side
mansfieldtown.net, 1st September 2016

Stags’ manager Adam Murray wants his side to continue their good form on Saturday when Cambridge United visit One Call Stadium (3.00pm kick-off).

Murray bolstered his defensive options with the deadline day signing of youngster Alex Iacovitti from Nottingham Forest following the injury sustained by centre-half Kyle Howkins in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

And Murray says his side will have to be focussed on Saturday when they face a Cambridge side who he expects to be ‘up there’ this season, despite currently sitting bottom of the entire EFL and yet to record a League win in the 2016/17 season.

“Cambridge are a very good team, a very strong side; they made some very good signings in the summer,” the Stags’ chief said.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/murray-preparing-for-visit-of-strong-us-side-3286593.aspx#tl8fMswF4qxIVduQ.99

“Personally, I think they’ve got a very good manager and more importantly, a top bloke. I’m hoping it’s not going to be this weekend but I backed them at the start of the season to be up there in the top seven so these things happen.

“We need to make sure that on Saturday, we’re on our game and we hope they don’t have a good day on Saturday and after that we wish them all the best. But Saturday will all be about us again and we’ll make sure we focus on us and we want to continue our good form.”

Despite suffering injuries to the aforementioned Howkins and midfielder Jamie McGuire in midweek, Murray revealed that midfielders Chris Clements and Jack Thomas are recovering well from their respective hamstring and groin injuries.

“[Those] two are positive, very positive. We’re getting to where we need to be with them two now so [they're] both massive pluses for us.

“[Them] being able to be able to come back in to the squad was one thing that was able to put a smile on my face this morning and then I think being able to get certain people minutes [on Tuesday] night has been really beneficial to us.

“[McGuire] took a big bang [on Tuesday] night, he couldn’t walk this morning so he’s just going to have to see how he comes through the next few days, see how he reacts over the weekend and in to next week.”

Following the announcement of Forest defender Alex Iacovitti on a season-long loan deal, we also confirmed that young forwards Tyler Blake and Jason Law have joined Sutton Coldfield on a month’s loan, whilst defender Corbin Shires has joined Bradford Park Avenue for a month.

And the manager believes that the short-term deals will provide the trio with invaluable experience at this stage of their careers.

“You forget how young, especially Jason, you forget how young he is. He’s been in our environment now for coming up to 12 months and his growth has been phenomenal.

“They’ve all got a lot of ability. Tyler has come on leaps and bounds in the last month and it’s a step up for them in terms of the loans that Corbs has previously had and the level that Jason’s previously played at. It’s a step up and for Tyler it’ll be a step in to men’s football where you have to win of a Saturday and I’m a big believer that this growth period is huge for them.”

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Bosses’ mutual fan club as Stags take on bottom side Cambridge
by John Lomas, chad.co.uk, 02 September 2016

Despite a strong mutual respect, Adam Murray and Shaun Derry will be enemies for 90 minutes when Mansfield Town try to prevent visiting bottom side Cambridge United conjuring up their first League win of the season.

The Stags sit fifth after the first month of the season and manager Murray is surprised where ex-Notts County boss Derry’s men are at the moment - but he doesn’t believe they will stay there for long.

“They’ve probably not had the start they would have desired, but they are a very strong outfit, they made some very good signings in the summer, and I do believe they will be top seven at the end of the season,” said Murray.

Read more at: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/bosses-mutual-fan-club-as-stags-take-on-bottom-side-cambridge-1-8101290

“I think they’ve got good strength in depth. “I think it will be a tough game, they are always tough games to go into when teams haven’t picked up that vital win.

“So we’re going to have to be on our mettle and the operation has already started.”

Murray continued: “They have got a very good manager and, more importantly, a top bloke.

“I am hoping it’s not going to be this weekend, but I backed them at the start of the season to be up there in the top seven.

“These things happen. We must make sure they don’t have a good day on Saturday and after that I wish them all the best.

“Saturday will be all about us again. We’ll make sure we focus on us and we want to continue our good form.”

Cambridge manager Derry said: “We know that they’re a tough opposition. They’re a very physical team that don’t shy away from the way that they play.

“Adam and his team are very forceful in the way that they approach the game, so we’ll have to match that and we have to hope the way we can take the game to the opposition will be a factor.”

He was full of admiration for the job Murray has done at Mansfield, adding: “Adam’s done really well, he really has.

“When he took over at the football club he tried to implement his own style. “It’s took a while and he’s made gains every season he’s been there. You look at where they are in the league this year and they’re a very accomplished team.

“I look at people like Adam and I take great comfort from the fact he’s done it at the right time and staggered the improvement at the right time as well.

“It’s not just been a one-season wonder where he’s come in and sought an improvement. It’s been gradual and he manages the football club in the right way.”

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Shaun Derry tells Cambridge United to prepare for physical battle at Mansfield Town
CambridgeNews,September 02, 2016,By Michael Vaughton

Shaun Derry wants Cambridge United to build on their first clean sheet of the season gained in midweek when they visit Mansfield in Sky Bet League Two tomorrow.

The U's go into the match at the One Call Stadium sitting bottom of the table, but Stags manager Adam Murray believes they will still finish in the top seven.

And United boss Derry, who saw his team win 1-0 at Shrewsbury in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night, has rallied his troops ahead of what he expects to be a physical encounter.

"We know that they're a tough opposition. They're a very physical team that don't shy away from the way that they play," said Derry.

Read more at http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/shaun-derry-tells-cambridge-united-to-prepare-for-physical-battle-at-mansfield-town/story-29676746-detail/story.html#I0m53AkQEJku5Ug9.99

"Adam and his team are very forceful in the way that they approach the game, so we'll have to match that and we have to hope the way we can take the game to the opposition will be a factor.

"We've not been able to manage those clean sheets like we did last year.

"Not just as a back four and a goalkeeper, but as a collective unit we need to address it and we started addressing it on Tuesday night."

Mansfield have started the campaign well and are fifth in the standings thanks to a 10-point haul from their opening five fixtures.

And Murray is wary of a wounded United side who are looking to get their first league success on the board.

"They've probably not had the start they would have desired, but they are a very strong outfit, made some very good signings in the summer, and I do believe they will be top seven at the end of the season," said Murray.

"I think they've got good strength in depth. I think it will be a tough game, they are always tough games to go into when teams haven't picked up that vital win.

"So we're going to have to be on our mettle and the operation has already started."

Adam McGurk and George Maris could both be in contention for the U's, with the pair due to be assessed today as they come back from knee and thigh injuries respectively.

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Latest | September 2016