Archived News from April 2017
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EVANS WANTS BIG CROWD FOR POMPEY CLASH
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Boss wants big crowd for Pompey clash
mansfieldtown.net, 24th April 2017 Manager Steve Evans wants a big turnout of Stags' fans for this Saturday's vital match against Portsmouth at One Call Stadium. Saturday’s 1-0 win over Stevenage saw us close the gap to the play-offs to a point and a place with two games of the Sky Bet League Two season remaining. And already-promoted Portsmouth will visit One Call Stadium on Saturday with faint hopes of securing the League Two title - they are five points behind leaders Doncaster - and the boss wants a big crowd roar the Stags on as they try to attain a positive result. "It’s a great test for the people of Mansfield, for me. I’ve got no doubts about the people of Mansfield. They’ve been fantastic since I walked in, they’re good people, the people I’ve met in and around the club," the Stags' chief said. "Even this morning when I arrived, there’s people queuing for tickets and it’s a fantastic feeling. We do need a big support; the away end will be full and they’ll be in good voice, as they are around the country. It should be a great atmosphere. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/boss-targeting-six-points-to-clinch-play-off-spot-3691175.aspx#evPEJQmq0f1QGh6l.99 "You see the kids queuing up here on a regular basis just to get a selfie with the players or the signatures of players, and it's great. We want lots more of them here on Saturday." The gaffer also reiterated that he is targeting a maximum points haul from our two remaining games - at home to Pompey and away to Crawley on the last day - to achieve a top seven finish. “We’re currently a point outside it so if we can close that gap to zero points going down to Crawley on the last day, we’d have certainly accepted that when we walked in the door and we’d have accepted that a month ago. “If we take six from the last two, we’ll be in the play-offs. I’ve said that before we went to Stevenage; if we took seven from nine we’d be knocking on the door but if we took nine from nine, we’d be in there and I still believe that. “We need to add to the points tally and I’ve got a little feeling - if we add to the points tally on Saturday, the minimum is we take it to Crawley. So that’s one point, I think if we get three, we probably take it to Crawley in our own hands.” Stags play Rotherham United in their final Central League fixture of the season tomorrow at Rainworth Miners Welfare (2.00pm kick-off) and the gaffer says it will be used for some of his players to get some much-needed game-time. “There will be a number of the boys who need some action in that. Off the top of my head, Paddy Hoban will play, [Yoann] Arquin will play, Lee Collins will play, Lewis Collins will play, [James] Baxendale will play, [Jamie] McGuire will play, [CJ] Hamilton will play, [Ashley] Hemmings will play. From that point of view, we just want people to get some match time. “This is the last reserve game for us; we have the option of taking one [behind] closed doors one next week if we want to get another hour into some players but tomorrow gives us an opportunity to play those lads. “The others will train, they’ll train really hard and then we’ll give them Wednesday to freshen themselves up and then the real preparation starts on Thursday morning.” The former Leeds United manager also passed on his congratulations to the club’s youth set-up, after the under 18s clinched the EFL Youth Alliance title with a win over Burton Albion on Saturday. “I think the good thing is, it’s not about winning. It’s about player development and getting players ready to join into the under 21s and into the senior squad. “But you’re always doing a lot right if you’re winning those competitions because it means you have the best players. The best players normally win promotions and titles. “I’m really pleased for the kids, I’m pleased for the staff and I’m pleased for the parents of the kids.” Supporters can login to Stags PlayerHD to view the manager’s news conference in its entirety. To purchase your tickets for this Saturday's game, login to http://www.stagstickets.co.uk. ------------------- Bruising week ahead as Stags players battle for a place in the big game chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 24 April 2017 Steve Evans admitted he can hardly bear to watch some of Mansfield Town’s training sessions this week as the tackles fly in with players desperate to be part of Saturday’s huge home clash with Portsmouth. With the Stags just a point off the top seven with two to play, manager Evans knows he needs to keep his players sharp and ultra-competitive but also acknowledges that carries its own risks. “We need all our players fresh and ready,” he said. “But that’s always the biggest challenge as you need a real energy and a real application in training where people are getting in and about each other. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/bruising-week-ahead-as-stags-players-battle-for-a-place-in-the-big-game-1-8509823 “You have to prepare for the Saturday, but once or twice in the training sessions you shut your eyes as you know it’s a really competitive session and you need your players to come through it. “We are in good shape right now with no injury worries. But this is Monday. I’ll be pleased if I am saying that next Saturday.” ------------------ Strong Stags side to end reserve fixtures chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 24 April 2017 Mansfield Town will give an outing to all their fringe players in tomorrow’s final Central League reserve/U21 clash at home to Rotherham United (2pm). Pat Hoban, Lee Collins, Lewis Collins, James Baxendale, Jamie McGuire, CJ Hamilton, and Ashley Hemmings will all figure in the game at Rainworth MW’s Kirklington Road ground in what is likely to be the last chance for them to impress boss Steve Evans for new deals next season. “There will be a number of boys playing who need some action,” said Evans. “We just want people to get some match time. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/strong-stags-side-to-end-reserve-fixtures-1-8509821 “This is the last reserve game for us though we have the option of taking one closed doors next week if we want to get another hour into some players.” ---------------- Tough task for youth players offered deals chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 24 April 2017 Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans congratulated the club’s youth team on retaining the league title and said at least two or three of them would be offered professional deals next season. However, he warned it would be far harder for players to get near his first team next time around with the quality of players he is chasing this summer. John Dempster’s side clinched the title with a 2-1 win over Burton Albion on Saturday and Evans said: “It’s not about the winning, it’s about player development and getting players ready to join the U21s and into the senior squad. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/tough-task-for-youth-players-offered-deals-1-8509818 “But you’re always doing a lot right if you’re winning those competitions as it means you have the pick of the best players. Best players normally win promotions and titles. “I am really pleased for the kids and the staff and I am really pleased for the parents of the kids as it shows when they go home at night, what they talk about and how they are getting prepared to develop as young men and footballers really helps.” He added: “I think there are two or three in the pipeline who are going to be offered deals. “Paul and I like watch them at different times so we don’t share opinions during the game but there is three or four who may get deals. “But they have to earn them. There is a difference in coming in here last year and getting near the first team and what you will have to do this summer to get near the first team.” ------------------ Stags boss half-expecting Stevenage invoice for handing fan match ball chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Steve Evans admits he is half-expecting a bill from Stevenage after handing the match ball to a young Stags fan at full-time. “I just saw the referee drop the ball so I picked it up and walked off,” smiled the Mansfield Town manager. “There was a young Mansfield supporter hanging over the wall with his arms up. “I’ve been a supporter of the club that I love and when the manager or staff and players come over and give you a bit of appreciation, good or bad days, that is important. “So some young four or five-year-old will have gone home the happiest kid in the world with the match ball.” Evans added: “He will remember that day now. I think the chairman at Stevenage, Phil Wallace, who is a friend of mine, will remember it as well as he will be thinking who’s nicked our ball? “I’ll not be surprised if an invoice doesn’t pop up. “But supporters mean the world to me. You see the kids queuing up on a regular basis to get a selfie with the players or a signing. It’s fantastic and we want lots more of them here on Saturday.” Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-boss-half-expecting-stevenage-invoice-for-handing-fan-match-ball-1-8516901 -------------------- |
Latest | April 2017