{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from January 2018

NO INTEREST IN RICKY MILLER / WYCOMBE PREVIEWS
3rd January 2018 23:59


Gaffer earmarks trio of signings in transfer window
mansfieldtown.net, 28 Dec 2017

Stags' boss Steve Evans has revealed that he'd like to make three additions to his squad to reinforce the push for promotion when the January transfer window opens next week.

Last season, the gaffer made eight signings in January as he revitalised the Stags' squad, who were 17th at the turn of the year, and took the battle for a spot in the top seven of Sky Bet League Two to the final day of the season.

And with his current side sitting just one point off the top seven and three off the automatic promotion places, the gaffer has identified his targets who he believes will make the Stags even stronger in the second half of the campaign.

"I think we'd like to bring three into the building. Our chairman (John Radford) and chief exec (Carolyn Radford) were having dinner a night or so ago with a chief executive of a football club in the Championship about a signing," the Stags' chief said.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/december/gaffer-earmarks-trio-of-signings-in-transfer-window/

"Where that's gone, I don't know; I'm waiting to hear from the chairman or Carolyn and they'll do that in due course. We've got some names that we will make moves for but only after we come out of Wycombe.

"We have a little period because most of the lads that you'd be going for now would be cup-tied for the FA Cup. When we come out of Wycombe, of course we're not getting carried away about where we go, but we're going to Cardiff so we've got a 10-day window to make sure we're stronger than what we are going into the window, if that makes sense.

"We certainly want them to be in the building to be training for five or six days with the team. We're going to try and be as selective as we can but we've got names at the top of our list and we obviously have a descending list below that.

"We have some names and one of them I gave a week or so ago to the chairman and he said 'we know these people well, let us deal with it' - that's why he's the boss."

The former Leeds United manager would like to bring in a central midfielder, to compete with Joel Byrom, as well as a frontman to provide a different option to Stags' current attacking quintet.

"I think there's two or three possibilities, depending who we can get in, what specific areas we'd like to strengthen. I think there's no hidden secret we'd like someone in to compete with Joel [Byrom], because when Joel goes out the team, it's a huge loss.

"I think he'll be back maybe for Cardiff, which would be brilliant because he's a huge loss for us. We can't run the risk; he's had two longer term injuries this season, he's been more out than in.

"We need to bring someone in and balance that for us and it's very difficult, because you're asking to bring a top player in, in that position, and it's hard to get. I don't think it's any secret that we'd like to bring someone in up top that adds to what we've got."

In addition to Byrom being sidelined, the boss revealed that defender David Mirfin has undergone a small knee operation after being forced off in our Checkatrade Trophy clash with Blackpool earlier this month.

"David Mirfin's had a minor op, so we'll see where that goes in the next couple of weeks.

"The prognosis on that was good from the medical department, and Joel Byrom had a little setback two or three weeks ago but I think last week was the first week the medical department came and said 'he's not far away now, we're getting him there very quickly'."

One striker who Stags have been linked with is Peterborough United forward Ricky Miller, but the gaffer insisted that no conversations have taken place about the former Dover man.

"I've had the Peterborough press ask me about that - I've not had one conversation about Ricky Miller with Peterborough United.

"I speak to Barry Fry here and there, I speak to Darragh MacAnthony here and there because I go back with those guys a long time, as long as Darragh's been at Posh and Barry for 20 years, when he was helping me out when I was a young manager at Stamford. I've had absolutely no conversation about Ricky Miller."

Supporters will be able to view the manager's full news conference on iFollow Stags later today.

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

Tough task awaits Mansfield Town at high-flying Wycombe
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town face a huge task tomorrow as they try to go level on points with fourth-place Wycombe Wanderers in the chase for a top three automatic promotion spot. In-form Wanderers are only outside the top three on goal difference and only top two Luton and Notts County have won there in League Two games. “Wycombe are up there most years,” said Stags boss Steve Evans. “They’ve got a good manager and a good chairman and I am looking forward to seeing them. “People talk about Wycombe having another wonderful season, but if we win - and it’s a big task - then we are level on points. But we are doom and gloom and they are happy chaps!” Evans is a big fan of Wycombe’s man-mountain striker Ade Akinfenwa. “They play a very systematic, direct way and get it up to big Ake,” he said. “I love that big fellow. He knows I love him. But I keep looking up at him and the only thing I don’t want to do is have a bear hug with him. “He is so strong. Did you see his goal at the weekend? He’s held about three defenders off, chested it and volleyed it in. “It is a very direct style but they’ve got some good players behind that who go and support the big fellow and Gareth (Ainsworth) continues to do an outstanding job.” Stags are unbeaten in their last three games, have lost just once in 16, and came away with a fine 1-1 draw from Grimsby last weekend. However, Evans said: “Without a shadow we should have won it. I watched it back yesterday. “It’s quite interesting, I’ve seen some media reports from Grimsby almost having a little dig at the fact that I thought we should have won it. “They are obviously watching the game with Grimsby glasses on as the Mansfield press would watch Mansfield with Mansfield glasses on.” Stags’ 1-0 win at Wycombe last season was their first success over the Chairboys in eight outings.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/tough-task-awaits-mansfield-town-at-high-flying-wycombe-1-8931009

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

Steve Evans continues to target automatic promotion
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans continues to target automatic promotion. Despite their sluggish form Stags are just three points off top three and Evans knows his side can make it if theyh turn draws into wins.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/steve-evans-says-mansfield-town-can-get-automatic-promotion-1-8931002

Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans believes his side can make a serious bid for third place and automatic promotion this season.

He also finds it hard to understand why, when the rest of the football world believe that Stags are having a good season - being just three points off third place - a section of Mansfield supporters seem to think otherwise.

Evans said: “I was with a director of football yesterday just having a coffee and his opening words were 'I've just checked the table on my way to see you and you are three points off the automatics' and I said 'there's doom and gloom and funerals all over Mansfield'.”

Evans and assistant Paul Raynor took some personal abuse from home fans near the dug-out at the last home game with Morecambe and Evans said: “It's hard to understand. “It's getting harder to manage some of the individual stuff, but collectively the supporters have been brilliant.

“I thought their backing at Grimsby was brilliant. In the last 20 minutes they sucked an equaliser in from Lee (Angol) and they were trying to suck the one in from Rosie (Danny Rose).

“I have always said that when they are en mass like that and right behind you they are that 12th man. You see that at Luton and Notts County right now.

“Our supporters are coming good at the right time.”

The race for the top three places remains open as the season reaches halfway.

“There are a number of clubs involved,” said Evans.

“You look at the way Luton are performing, the £600,000 or £700,000 they invested in the likes of James Collins and Luke Berry has been money well, well spent.

“They are monies we wouldn't have asked as a management team as it's probably money the chairman would have said he's not comfortable with. You then have the players' packages on top of that.

“Notts County are working so hard and are a very efficient team under Kevin Nolan. I expect County to be there with Luton every step of the way now.

“They have had that squad assembled for 18 months, Luton the same if you take away Collins and Berry - they have a very consistent nine or 10 in there most weeks.

“Second place is still there at the moment as Notts County still want to do what Luton are doing. “But I think third place is a real objective.”

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

Good news on injury front for David Mirfin and Joel Bryom
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has revealed that David Mirfin and Joel Byrom are close to a return from injury. Here’s what he had to say during yesterday’s pre match presser.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/good-new-on-injury-front-for-david-mirfin-and-joel-bryom-1-8930989

Mansfield Town centre half David Mirfin has undergone a knee operation.

But it went well and he is expected back quickly as is midfield ace Joel Byrom, who should be back in training next week.

“David Mirfin has had a minor operation so we'll see where that goes in the next couple of weeks,” said manager Steve Evans.

“The prognosis from that was good from the medical department.

“He came back in the Blackpool game and he went down in a heap about 10 minutes from time.

“He was running with no one near him and he went down because of a bad divot. That can happen.

“He tried to come back from that again but the surgeon looked and said I can tweak this and that.

“David's at home recuperating. But he will be back in with us as early as next week.”

On Byrom, he said: “Joel had a little setback about two or three weeks ago, but last week was the first time the medical department came and said that he is not far away now.

“I spoke to Joel on Friday and he felt really good.

“We have been patient with him - he is so important for us. We need to get him right as there's no doubt we are a better team with him in it.

“Hopefully he will be back on the grass next week which would allow him to be involved straight away at Cardiff, as we saw him against Notts County in the Checkatrade.

“But hopefully there will be another player in the building competing with Joel by then. So if Joel goes down again we'll have that type of player available - if we can get him.”

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

Oxford United give Mansfield Town permission to play Kane Hemmings in FA Cup
(comment by Martin - Hemmings has already played in the FA Cup against Shaw Lane, so he already had permission)

chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town can play striker Kane Hemmings in the FA Cup trip to Cardiff City. But will he be a Stags player until the end of the season. Here’s what boss Steve Evans had to say on the subject in yesterday’s pre-match presser.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/oxford-united-give-mansfield-town-permission-to-play-kane-hemmings-in-fa-cup-1-8930971

On-loan Oxford United striker Kane Hemmings can play in Mansfield Town's FA Cup third round tie at Championship Cardiff City.

But Stags manager Steve Evans is still unsure if Oxford will then recall the player or allow him to stay for the rest of the season.

Evans explained: “Kane is officially with us until the second or third week in the month anyway so we'll get New Year's Day out the way and I will have a chat with Pep Clotet.

“He has permission to play for us in the FA Cup so there's no issues with that.

“But Kane is an Oxford United player. I have to give full respect to my opposite down there and let him, first and foremost, decide if they see him playing a part. If they do we have no say in the matter, he goes back.

“I know Kane would like to stay if it's possible.”

Hemmings said: “I don't know what the situation is yet but I'm sure the clubs will speak in the next few days.

“Whatever will happen will happen, but it's probably not in my hands to be honest.

“So I'll let the two clubs get on with that and see what happens.

“I signed here to play games and end enjoy my football and I have really enjoyed it since I've been here.”

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

Mansfield Town may let two to three players go in transfer window
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town may allow two or three players to go out of the club during the January transfer window. But boss Steve Evans said that had no bearing on incoming transfers and he was under no pressure to shed players. Evans said: “If the question is will we balance it and some go out, the answer is yes. Do some have to go out before we can bring any in? No.” As to whether they would be permanent moves or loans, he said: “It all depends what options come up for the players. “If we said we don’t see Player A getting a lot of game time and tell him and his representatives that, Player A has to have a club and somewhere he has to go. “We are fortunate we do not need players to go to bring players in. “We will go about doing our business coming in, but if you are straight and up front with players and say you’re not going to be getting game time, at least they know that is the case unless there are injuries. “All players want to go and play football.” He added: “It may be two or three that go out. I don’t think it would be any shock to supporters. “But we’ve not had chats yet. We are planning to sit down with every player in the squad, which we’ve done season after season, just to review the first five or six months of the season. “We know we need to be stronger in the second half of the season - we always thought that would be the case.”

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-may-let-two-to-three-players-go-in-transfer-window-1-8930977

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

Stags boss Evans lines up transfer targets, but denies Miller move
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 28 December 2017

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans is ready to swoop for up to three signings in the January transfer window when it opens next week - but denies Peterborough striker Ricky Miller is one of them. Evans has his targets drawn up, which include a midfielder and a striker, but denies reports he has out-bid several other clubs to sign Miller, who was so prolific for Dover in the National League.

“I have had the Peterborough press ask me about that too,” said Evans. “But I have said I have not had one conversation about Ricky Miller with Peterborough United.

“I speak to Barry Fry here and there and I speak to Darren McAnthony here and there as I go back with those guys a long time.”

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-boss-evans-lines-up-transfer-targets-but-denies-miller-move-1-8930654

On his targets, he said: “I think we’d like to bring three into the building if we can. “I know our chairman and chief executive were having dinner a night or two ago with the chief executive from a club in the Championship about a signing. Where that’s gone I don’t know. I am waiting to hear from them in due course. “We have got some names we will make moves for, but only after we come out the Wycombe game. “I will present the other couple of players that we’d like to do business with and then our chief executive will decide whether they pick up the phone or I do.” Evans said that still being in the FA Cup meant it was less urgent to conclude deals early than it was last year when he threw new faces in straight away. “When I arrived last year, the FA Cup, like most of it, was in ruins already,” he said. “We were out and the league campaign was a survival situation, but we took it to the last day for the play-offs. “If we’d have got up last season I think we’d have got knighted given the job we had to do. It was so tough. “But we do have a little period this time as most of the lads that you’d be going for will be cup-tied. “With going to Cardiff, we’ve got a sort of 10-day window to make sure we are stronger than we are now. “I’d be confident we’d get players by around the Cardiff game - not to play in the Cardiff game unless, of course, they are not cup-tied. “We certainly want them in the building to be training for five or five days with the team. “We are going to try to be as selective as we can but we’ve got names at the top of our list and a descending list below that. “One name I gave to the chairman a week or two ago, he said ‘we know these people well, let us deal with it’ and that’s why he’s the boss.” He added: “There are two or three areas we are looking at depending on who we get in. “It’s no hidden secret we’d like someone in to compete with Joel Byrom because when Joel goes out the team it’s a huge loss. “I think he will be back for Cardiff which will be brilliant. “But we can’t run the risk. He’s had two long term, injuries this season and he’s been out more than in. We need to balance that for us. “It’s very difficult as you’re asking to bring a top player in for that position and they are hard to get. “I don’t think it’s any secret that we may like to bring someone in up top that adds to what we’ve got as well.”

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

LATEST NEWS: Peterborough United close in on a new signing and reject million-pound bids for Marriott and Maddison
peterboroughtoday.co.uk, by ALAN SWANN, Thursday 28 December 2017

Peterborough United have rejected £2 million bids for star men Jack Marriott and Marcus Maddison. And Posh director of football Barry Fry, the man responsible for the club’s transfer negotations, insists it would take a ‘massive’ offer to persuade chairman Darragh MacAnthony to lose either of his prize assets.

Read more at: https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/latest-news-peterborough-united-close-in-on-a-new-signing-and-reject-million-pound-bids-for-marriott-and-maddison-1-8307808

Leeds United were this morning linked with both players. Fry is also confident a new Posh player with ‘good League One experience and form’ will arrive at the ABAX Stadium early in the January transfer window. Posh are chasing a second new Posh player whose arrival might depend on Fry managing to sell unwanted striker Ricky Miller.

Miller, a free agent signing last summer on a three-year contract, has rejected potential moves to two League Two clubs and a League One club because of an unwillingess to move to the north of the country. Fry is currently negotiating with another, more southern-based, League Two club. Fry said: “Interest in Maddison and Marriott is inevitable. We’re prepared for it, but we don’t have to sell them. Obviously if we get bids of £10 million for them it’s a different story, but we have had nothing like that so far. “We’ve had £2 million bids from Championship clubs, but that isn’t enough for us to even start talking. We don’t want to lose either of them. Maddison has nine goals and 23 assists this season which pretty much makes him irreplaceable. “I’ve been asked by the chairman to make two incoming transfers happen. We’re after two players with good League One experience and form. One is pretty much done and that will be financed by some of our lesser players going back out on loan in January.

“Ricky Miller leaving could help the other deal. We want a fee for him and so far three teams have agreed to pay what we want, but they are all based in the north and Ricky doesn’t want to move up there. There’s also a team based nearer to us interested, but we haven’t agree a fee with them yet. “The stuff going on with Ricky off the field is affecting his transfer. The baggage is putting some teams off making a bid.”

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

Notts County are NOT in the chase to sign Peterborough forward Ricky Miller
nottinghampost.com, ByLeigh Curtis, 28 DEC 2017

Notts County are not in the chase to sign Ricky Miller with the Peterborough forward attracting plenty of interest from other League Two clubs.

The Magpies had enquired for the striker when he was at Dover last January, but he subsequently agreed to join Posh on a free transfer this summer.

Peterborough are set to allow the forward to leave in next month's transfer window after Miller, who scored 42 goals in the National League last season, struggled to make an impact at London Road.

http://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-not-chase-sign-982426

It has put a host of clubs on alert, but Notts are not thought to be among them with three League Two clubs and one in League One keen on landing the 28-year-old.

Mansfield had been linked with the forward, though the Post understands the Stags are not among the list of potential suitors.

Miller has made 13 appearances for Peterborough this season failing to score in any of them.

He also has a court case looming next year after pleading not guilty to assaulting a police officer, using threatening behaviour and failure to provide a specimen of breath following an incident at the Ortongate Shopping Centre on Sunday, November 5.

The 28-year-old will appear in court on April 30.

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

Cambridge United one of six League Two teams linked with former Cambridge City and St Ives striker - reports
cambridge-news.co.uk, ByAndrew Georgeson, 28 DEC 2017

Peterborough United striker Ricky Miller is on Cambridge United's radar, according to reports.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-among-league-two-14089180

The former Cambridge City and St Ives man has failed to make a mark at London Road since joining from National League side Dover Athletic in the summer and hasn't been able to find the net once in his 13 appearances for Posh.

He was prolific in the National League the season before, however, scoring 46 goals in 45 games - including against the U's in the FA Cup.

According to reports in the Peterborough Telegraph , six League Two teams are in for the striker.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Notts County and Mansfield Town are among those teams, but managers of all four sides have cooled their interest today.

Miller has his fair share of off the field problems, however. He missed the first six games of the season after picking up a ban for biting while he has a looming court case next year.

The 28-year-old pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer, using threatening behaviour and failure to provide a specimen of breath following an incident at the Ortongate Shopping Centre on Sunday, November 5.

He will appear in court on April 30.

Peterborough have said that they want a fee for the player.

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

In-form frontman enjoying hectic run of games
mansfieldtown.net, 28 Dec 2017

Frontman Kane Hemmings is hoping to extend his good run of form as the busy festive period continues with two games in three days against Wycombe Wanderers and Carlisle United coming up.

The Oxford United loanee has scored three goals in his last four games as he continues to show why boss Steve Evans swooped to bring him to the club in the summer transfer window.

And as the game continue to arrive quickly, Hemmings hopes to continue his purple patch in the Stags' team.

"I enjoy this period," said the 26-year-old. "There are a lot of games that come thick and fast so it's always an enjoyable period to be involved in and it can, at times, make or break your season.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/december/frontman-enjoying-good-form-during-busy-period/

"I think I've been playing well. Against Morecambe on Saturday, I'd like to think I played really well in the short time that I played.

"I wasn't involved as much at Grimsby but I was always there or thereabouts. I was making a lot of runs and the ball wasn't quite falling but that's how it is.

"I think I'm playing alright at the minute, I think I'm playing well and I've scored a few goals now so hopefully I can keep that going.

"As a striker you always get judged on goals, I don't think it matters at all how you play really.

"Although I feel like I did play well for long spells, I didn't get that goal and that's ultimately what you'll be judged on but now I think, in the latter few months, I've scored a few goals and it makes all the difference.

"I was just disappointed not to get the goals within so many games but once obviously the first one came, they've seemed to come since then."

Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to fourth-place Wycombe Wanderers, Hemmings said: "It's definitely a physical test. Going to somewhere like Wycombe's not going to be easy, they're going to put it on you. It's going to be a physical game and probably a high tempo game as well.

"I think [Wycombe] have shown they're a very strong team over a number of years. Even when we played them out here [One Call Stadium] earlier on in the season, it was a tough game and they come here and they put it on you and they work hard so we're under no illusions what we're going to get going down there.

"They get it in to the strikers, they've got big men up there and they've got a lot of running power off that as well. They've got good players to back it up.

"They're a very strong, physical team. Not many teams will match that to trounce them so you need to go there, you need to understand what you're up against and just look to counter and impose your own game on them.

"If we can go there and play good football, I'm sure we can get a good result."

Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view Kane Hemmings' full news conference.

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

Hitman Hemmings happy with flourishing Rose partnership
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 28 December 2017

On-loan Oxford striker Kane Hemmings is enjoying his flourishing partnership with Danny Rose as Mansfield Town challenge for a top three place in League Two.

The pair have begun to gel superbly in recent games and Hemmings admitted: “Rosie is good to play with.

“You know he’s always going to throw himself about there up front and win everything.

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/hitman-hemmings-happy-with-flourishing-rose-partnership-1-8930857

“If I can get on the end of things, bring my team mates into play and me and him can get in the box, then I think we’ll be a real handful for most defenders in the league. I am enjoying playing with him.” Hemmings is now winning over the doubters after taking nine games to open his account. “As a striker you always get judged on goals. I don’t think it matters at all how you play really,” he said. “Although I do think I played well for long spells, I didn’t get that goal which is ultimately what you’re judged on. “Now I have scored a few I think it makes all the difference. “I was just disappointed not to get the goals within so many games. But once the first went in they’ve seemed to come since then.” Hemmings added: “I just want to play and play well. If I am playing well I’d like to think the goals will come. “We have a good squad here and a good atmosphere among the boys and hopefully that will push us forward in the second half of the season and we can really give it a good go.” Stags are in the midst of a hectic festive period, but Hemmings says he relishes the challenge. “I enjoy this period as there are a lot of games that come thick and fast. It can at times make or break your season,” he said. “I think we can maybe say we got away with one against Morecambe, but then we drew a tougher game away against Grimsby. “Maybe if you put them the other way round it probably would have worked out better. But four points out of six, we’ll take that going into two tough games against Wycombe and Carlisle. “It’s very tough on your body. But you just play, recover, then get ready to go again. There’s no thinking about it.” Hemmings is aware how hard it will be at Wycombe on Saturday. “Going somewhere like Wycombe won’t be easy,” he said. “It will be a physical game and probably a high tempo game as well. “They put it on you and work hard. We are under no illusions how tough it will be. “They have big men up there and a lot of running power off that as well. Then they have good players who back it up. “They are a strong, physical team and not many teams will match that and trounce them. “We will do our best down there and then get ready to play Carlisle.” Hemmings now has five goals under his belt in his last 10 games and said: “I think I’ve been playing well. “I’ve scored a few goals now so I’d like to keep that going. “Against Morecambe on Saturday I’d like to think I played really well in the short time I played. “I enjoyed my goal at Port Vale but I think Saturday’s was my best. It probably meant a lot more in context of the game and it was a decent finish as well.” Hemmings had just come back from a calf injury and was withdrawn exhausted just after half-time against Morecambe only to hear the home fans boo the decision to take him off. He smiled: “It was a weird one, but obviously I knew the reason and the gaffer and everyone else knew the reason. “I could understand the reaction but I knew the reason.” He added: “I wasn’t involved as much at Grimsby but I was always there or thereabouts, making a lot of runs but the ball wasn’t quite falling and that’s how it is. “But physically I felt all right on Tuesday after I’d felt a bit rusty against Morecambe. Hopefully going forward now there are no more problems.”

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

Gareth: We have to plan for six points
Boss looks ahead to New Year double-header.
wycombewanderers.co.uk

Gareth Ainsworth says he and his staff will consider how to maximise the strength of their squad with two games in three days against Mansfield and Forest Green over the New Year.

Wanderers take on the Stags on Saturday at Adams Park - where they’ve won six successive games in all competitions - before looking to return to winning ways away from home, visiting Forest Green on Monday.

With Adam El-Abd and Marcus Bean likely to come back into the fold after injury and illness, Ainsworth says he will have a plan to get the best from his squad in order to achieve the highest possible points return from the two fixtures.

“You have to look at the whole weekend and both games - you can’t afford to just look at the first one. Squad selection comes into and you need to make sure the fitness levels are right and that everyone can give their maximum for the team when they’re on the pitch.

https://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/2017/december/gareth-we-have-to-plan-for-six-points/

“Our medical and sports science departments really come into it around this time and there are all sorts of factors to calculate to make sure we’re firing on all cylinders. We’d love to pick up six points but Mansfield and Forest Green will be giving everything to do the same.”

Recent form has seen a change in the Chairboys’ fortunes over the past few seasons, where they have tended to excel away from home yet find it tougher to find consistency on home turf. However, on the back of six straight victories at Adams Park, Ainsworth says his players are relishing the prospect of stepping out in HP12 again on Saturday.

“It’s been a brilliant run and the results are testament to how well the boys have been playing,” he said. “Over my five years we’ve developed from a team that’s fantastic on the road to now making our home a bit of a fortress - we feel comfortable playing at Adams Park, we’ve got an excellent pitch which has helped us, and we’d love to keep this run going. We’ve made it a tough place to come for opposition teams.

“The fans have really got behind us as well. At times I can hear frustrations from the crowd but the majority are right there with us, even when things aren’t going our way, and that’s true support. It’s fantastic to have that - they know this could be our season and we want to achieve something together.”

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

 

Latest | January 2018