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Archived News from March 2005

PALMER AND HUNTER REACTION, ASAMOAH ON HIS WAY
1st March 2005 14:28


mansfieldtown.net:
Disgraced Derek Asamoah will not play for Mansfield Town again whilst Carlton Palmer is in charge, The caretaker Manager told the official website this afternoon.

Asamoah was conspicuous by his absence during the goaless draw at Nene Park against Rushden & Diamonds over the weekend and raised questions as to his future at Field Mill:

"There seems to be some backlash amongst the supporters about my decision to put Derek on the transfer list. I have heard them saying why is he letting one of our best players go? The answer is very simple:

"Derek breached club discipline displaying a lack of respect to the rest of the team and the management staff and I think that is all that needs to be said. We don't want to wash our dirty washing in public. I have spoken to Derek this morning who tried to explain his side of the story but it didn't wash with me I later had his agent on the phone and ultimately Derek has accepted that he has breached club discipline and so I have to make a stand." Palmer said.

" I believe that there is no way back for him now because he has shown total disregard for the management team, his team mates and the club. And, apart from that he is a centre forward that has only scored five goals with the season almost over which is not really acceptable. So by breaching club discipline he has only highlighted the need to get somebody in who can score us goals." He added.

This is not the first time that Asamoah has over stepped the mark with his manager requiring Palmer to speak to him on a number of other occasions about discipline matters.

"This is not the first time I have had to speak to Derek about his attitude. But it has been the last straw really. I need somebody who is fully committed to the club and his team mates and not just a crowd pleaser. I need somebody who is capable of scoring me 20 or more goals. Everybody else can conduct themselves in the right manner Tom Curtis was left out of the side on Saturday and the difference is he has been the model pro. He hasn't once gone into a sulk, he has got on with training and I know that when he gets his chance to get back in the team he will give 100%." Palmer said.
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Audio interview with Carlton Palmer from Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2005/stags_rushden_away_palmer.ram
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CHAD website:
DEREK Asamoah has been transfer-listed after a bust-up with Stags caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer.

Striker Asamoah was left out the 16 that played at Rushden and Diamonds toady and Palmer said afterwards: "Derek Asamoah will not kick another ball for this club as long as I am in charge.

"Derek was transfer-listed as of just before kick-off.

"This is something that has been ongoing but then something happened this morning which was disrespectful to me, Paul Holland and his team mates.

"He is telling everyone that all and sundry are after him so let's see.

"I won't have anyone here who is not a team player. Derek does not want to play for me or the rest of the boys and he has insulted us by his actions."

Caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer said: "I was delighted with the players today, we played very well.
"I have told them they shouldn't be disappointed. Obviously we want to win it but you can also lose it and I was pleased we kept our discipline and kept trying to do the right things.
"As on Tuesday the ball didn't roll for us and we are not getting the rub of the green.
"But we were by far the best team in the first half. You expect Rushden to come out and have a little say in matters. But we defended well and made chances of our own.
"The same as at our place, their keeper has got man of the match again so that says it all.
"We deserved to win the game today and there's nothing more we can do."
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EVENING POST WEBSITE
Mansfield boss Carlton Palmer :"I was delighted with my players' performance. I was just disappointed that we did not take all three points," he said.


"We had enough chances to take the points and I thought we deserved to win.

"We're a young side who will only get better and of course I wanted the win, but you have to put things into perspective."

Palmer joked that Adam Murray and Scott Shearer were having their own private duel.

"They were having their own private competition and were putting on their own special show," he added.

Palmer also clarified the situation regarding Derek Asamoah.

"I have placed Derek on the transfer list and as far as I am concerned he will not play for Mansfield again while I am in charge," he said.

After seeing his side extend their unbeaten run to three matches, Rushden manager Barry Hunter declared himself happy with his side's goalless draw against Mansfield.

The nearest either side came to scoring was in the eighth minute when Mansfield's Colin Larkin saw his close--range effort deflect off Sean Connelly and against the foot of the post.

Hunter was felt the draw was a fair result and said: "At half-time we could have been a couple of goals down. We were not particularly happy with the two centre-halves as they were getting bossed by Mansfield's strikers.

"We are going to take the positives out of it after a very difficult week which has given us seven points (correction by Martin - should say five) out of a possible nine. I am particularly pleased with the spirit, togetherness and a never-say-die attitude.

"I've got to credit Mansfield for a very open game. We refuse to be beaten and always had chances to win."

Referring to the relegation fight, Hunter said: "I feel we are going in the right direction. We know the teams below us will pick up points, but so will we.

"We've got some tough games to play but it has been very promising for us in the last three games and I hope that the players will continue to play by reflecting my own personality."

 

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