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Archived News from March 2003

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12th March 2003 21:02


Stags begin final the countdown
CHAD
STAGS boss Keith Curle began a frantic search for at least one central defender to face Swindon Town on Saturday as Stags begin their final 10 matches of the season.

Curle's appeal against an automatic red card against Oldham two weeks ago was thrown out by an FA panel on Monday and the ban stands which ses the player-manager miss three crucial games.

However, the automatic red card against central defensive partner Rhys Day is not as clear cut and will now go before an FA commission later this week after no agreement could be reached on the day.

The appeals panel felt the dismissal was harsh but referee Paul Taylor refused to change his mind, necessitating a second hearing.

“The annoying thing is we have been given no time scale when we are going to find out about Rhys,” said Curle.
“I am very disappointed my ban was upheld and also for Rhys. The panel that sat agreed with us that the referee was wrong.
“But the ref said in his view he wasn't wrong and wouldn't change his mind. Because of that we now have to go to another appeal panel who I assume have the authority to overturn the decision.
“I can't understand why that couldn't be decided at this original hearing.”

Nevertheless, the Field Mill phones will be hot as Curle tries to draft in a replacement for himself and place last minute irons in the fire in case Day loses his appeal.

There is also a worry that midfielder Liam Lawrence could face a suspension. He faces an FA hearing tomorrow (Thursday) over his post-match red card against Bristol City on 23rd November.

In last weekend's disastrous 3-1 defeat at bottom club Cheltenham Stags failed to make a real fight of it for the first time since Curle took over.

And with a trip to fellow strugglers Huddersfield on Tuesday (7.45pm) folowed by a long baul to promotion hopefuls Cardiff City next Friday night, it leaves Stags desperate to get something against rejuvenated Swindon Town and former boss Andy King at Field Mill this Saturday (3pm).

This will be former boss King's first return to Field Mill since his sacking in 1996.

King was in charge for almost three years and took the club as far as the Third Division play-off semi-finals before a poor season and then a poor start to the following season saw him axed.

“Andy is well respected and he will probably get a warm reception from our supporters, but hopefully leave without any points,” said Curle.
“I know the Cheltenham game was disappointing. But it's not all doom and gloom - we have only lost one game.
“Look at Swindon, they had a bit of a blip and have gone on to string results together. And Notts County. Fair play to them - they had a blip against us and have kicked on from there.
“It doesn't matter which games we get them from - we just need to win some points. In our changing room we know the way forward and that is getting back to the standard of performance we had been producing.”

Stags' players had their first post-match dressing room lock-in since Curle took over on Saturday.
“I have come to expect a certain standard of effort and commitment from my players and that was the first time they have not produced it.
“It's hard to say exactly what the problem was. Maybe the importance of the match got to them.
“They certainly lacked leadership on the field which is probably my fault for being suspended.
“But they looked like a team of young boys. That's no good to me - I need to be surrounded by men in our position and some of them have got to grow up very quickly.
“I can handle defeat but not without giving all those supporters who came down on Saturday the pride and passion they have shown in the previous 15 games or so.
“It was football naivity. Poeple didn't do their jobs and also didn't make sure other people did their jobs.
“I did have things to say at the end. But it was all done in a positive, constructive manner. The best thing to do is be honest with them.
“And we have to put that one performance behind us as a blip. It's gone now. Yes, it was a bad day at the office on Saturday but now it's back to business.
“It was good that they came in feeling down about the result on Monday. But they are young lads and have to realise there is no use dwelling on it. All they can do is learn from it and move fowards.”

Circumstances conspired against Stags with injuries and suspensions, Cheltenham grabbing a very early goal after Keith Welch's first mistake since he joined the club and the Robin's debut keeper, Shane Higgs, is fine form. Also chances created were missed, notably a great opportunity near half-time by Wayne Corden.
“You can't give any side in our division a two-goal start,” said Curle. “We were two down before we even started thinking about playing.
“I made them watch the video on the coach on the way home - I have seen it three times since - and Cheltenham don't even break us down again with their passing until the 40th minute.
“If we had pulled our goal back much earlier then I think they would have wobbled. It's not like we were complacent. I wouldn't allow that to happen. “They were told Cheltenham would try to put us on the back foot for the first 20 minutes with high-tempo football and we had to stand up to it. Instead we gave them a quick goal and Cheltenham grew in stature and confidence.”
Curle had words of sympathy for keeper Welch who just four days before had preserved the win over Luton with a superb late save.
“Keith has done well since he came and, by his own high standards, he is disappointed as he knows he made a mistake,” he said. “But he's not the only one. There were other things that should have happened before the ball got to him.
“Keepers are the last line of defence and I don't blame them for anything.

Tickets remain on sale at Field Mill until Monday for next Tuesday's trip to fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.
The game is not all-ticket and fans can pay at the turnstiles on the night of Tuesday, 18th March. But buying in advance represents a worthwhile saving.
Tickets cost £12 adults, £5 students and over-60s and £3 under-16s. On the night it will be £14.50 adults, £7 students and over-60s (students will have to produce ID at the McAlpine Stadium ticket office) and £5 under-16s.

Craig Beardsley had a mixed afternoon for Stags reserves in their 2-1 Avon Insurance League clash at Grimsby Town last Wednesday.
Beardsley netted Stags' reply but was later red-carded for his second bookable offence of the game.
The reserve team line-up showed much more steel than its recent youthful composition with Neil MacKenzie, Colin Larkin, Andy White and Danny Bacon involved along with first team squad youngsters Andy Jones and Alex Baptiste.
The reserves have no game this week.

Stags youth team went down 2-0 at Scunthorpe in their latest Merit League game on Saturday.
They will next face Preston at Clipstone Welfare this Friday (1pm).
Next week, Friday, 21st, the youngsters take on Swindon Town in the Midland Youth Cup at Field Mill (7pm).

Stags striker Danny Bacon has gone out on a month's loan to UniBond League Premier Division Hucknall Town.
He made his debut in Saturday's 4-1 win over Blyth Spartans, winning two penalties and having a header cleared off the line.
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There is also a worry that midfielder Liam Lawrence could face a suspension. He faces an overdue FA hearing today (Thursday) over his post-match red card against Bristol City on 23rd November.
Also, a decision has to be taken on Sheffield United full back Ben Doane whose second month on loan is due to expire this week. He is back in training after a slight injury.
Bobby Hassell (calf) is struggling to be fit for Saturday, although Craig Disley (knee) is improving fast and hopeful of a return.
In last weekend's disastrous 3-1 defeat at bottom club Cheltenham Stags failed to make a real fight of it for the first time since Curle took over.
And with a trip to fellow strugglers Huddersfield on Tuesday (7.45pm) followed by a long haul to promotion hopefuls Cardiff City next Friday night, it leaves Stags desperate to get something against rejuvenated Swindon and former boss Andy King at Field Mill this Saturday (3pm).
This will be former boss King's first return to Field Mill since his sacking in 1996.
King was in charge for almost three years and took the club as far as the Third Division play-off semi-finals before a poor season and then a poor start to the following season saw him axed.
"Andy is well respected and he will probably get a warm reception from our supporters, but hopefully leave without any points," said Curle.
"I know the Cheltenham game was disappointing. But it's not all doom and gloom - we have only lost one game.
"Look at Swindon, they had a bit of a blip and have gone on to string results together. And Notts County - fair play to them - they had a blip against us and have kicked on from there.
"It doesn't matter which games we get them from - we just need to win some points. In our changing room we know the way forward and that is getting back to the standard of performance we had been producing."

 

Latest | March 2003