{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from March 2005

CHAD LATEST: TRIALIST ONIBUJE
1st March 2005 17:35


Striker search on after Asamoah axing
CHAD website, 1 March 05
THE search is on for a new striker at Field Mill after this week's shock axing of Derek Asamoah.
Asamoah has been transfer-listed after a bust-up with caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer.
He was left out of the 16 at Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, where Stags were held to a 0-0 draw 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 on Saturday 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 wont 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."
Palmer refused to make the full details public saying: "I do not want to wash our dirty linen in public but it was for a breach of club discipline.
"Derek's agent rang me up to offer an explanation on Monday but it wasn't good enough. It didn't wash with me.
"I have to make a stand on this and there is no way back now. I have spoken to Derek on two or three occasions before and this was just the straw that broke the camel's back.
"I know fans are saying we are losing a flair player. But he has only scored five goals all season.
"And I didn't like his body language in games when I asked him to play wide right and he didn't want to play there.
"I know when Alex Ferguson had problems with David Beckham at Manchester United and left him sat in the stands for a couple of games.
"But, for the money Derek Asamoah is on, I can't afford to do that here. I need someone committed who I can rely on
"I would rather get someone else in who wants to play for me and their team mates."
He added: "I left Tom Curtis out on Saturday, but he is a model pro and he has not sulked or moaned.
"He just gets on with it and if I picked him to play this Saturday I know he would do me a job.
"We are playing well at the moment but can't put the ball in the net. We have managed nine clean sheets in 15 games which should be promotion form.
"We are creating the chances but not putting them away.
"So, even before this happened with Derek, we knew we needed a new striker. This just makes it more important to get someone in."
However, Asamoah's agent Charles Collymore hit back saying: "As far as we are concerned this dispute between Derek and Carlton should have been dealt with internally.
"Instead it was done in exactly the opposite manner which was disappointing. It didn't need to go to these extremes.
"These were very trivial issues which could have been dealt with by some serious talking.
"It is a very disappointing end to his Mansfield Town career. The boy wanted to play for Mansfield Town and loved the club and players.
"He had bought a house in Mansfield and saw his long term future there."
However, Palmer was much happier with what he saw from Colin Larkin, another striker he had recently threatened to axe, at Rushden on Saturday
And he said that, even if he brought someone else in before Saturday's home clash with Shrewsbury (3pm), he would have to start on the bench.
"I thought Colin did well for us on Saturday and, with a bit of luck, could have had a hat-trick in the first half.
"With hindsight maybe I pulled him too soon on Saturday, but I felt the earlier misses may have affected his confidence.
"He is getting into the right positions and they are just not falling for him. If he carries on as he is then he will score us goals - no argument.
"So I will be starting with Colin on Saturday no matter what. I just hope I am right about him.
"We are not a million miles away right now. All we need to do is score some goals.
"Those two home defeats have set us back and we know we need to win this Saturday to keep ourselves in the hunt for the Play-offs."
Palmer revealed that Jake Buxton battled on at Rushden with a groin strain and flu, Alex John-Baptiste was not 100 per cent with an ankle problem that had kept him out of training, and Adam Rundle is still suffering the effects of flu.But all three are expected to play on Saturday while winger Simon Brown has now completed his four-game suspension.
The visiting Shrews have just put together a run of four wins and a draw in their last six games to ease their relegation worries.
"We need to get back to winning at home, starting with Shrewsbury," said Palmer.
"But we know it won't be easy. They beat Chester 5-0 last Saturday and that was no surprise. They have already beaten sides like Yeovil and Swansea.
"We need to get out there firing on all cylinders and put away the chances we make."
As at Field Mill in December, Stags had to settle for 0-0 draw with Rushden on Saturday, despite creating the better chances.
Palmer said: "I was delighted with the players on Saturday, we played very well.
"I have told them they shouldn't be disappointed. Obviously we wanted to win it but you could also lose it and I was pleased we kept our discipline and kept trying to do the right things.
"As against Wycombe in midweek 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 and there's nothing more we can do. We are due some luck and someone is going to get well beaten by four or five goals soon."
Of the injured quartet, Rhys Day is coming along well in training while Scott McNiven is just enjoying being back and well short of fitness.
However, both may take some part in a specially-arranged reserve game tomorrow (Wednesday) if there was no reaction from training yesterday.
A trialist from non-League Kingstonian is also expected to play as well as 6ft 7ins Barnsley striker Fola Onibuje.

----------
Fola Onibuje from Barnsley,

Barnsley have allowed two members of their squad to leave Oakwell for trials.
Fola Onibuje and David Scarsella have both been given permission by Tykes boss Paul Hart to train elsewhere this week.
Nigerian striker Onibuje has linked up with Mansfield Town as he attempts to secure more regular first team football.
Onibuje has made just four substitute appearances since signing a 12-month deal with Barnsley and recently undertook a trial at Shrewsbury Town.
He failed to impress Shrews manager Gary Peters and will be hoping for better luck with his League Two counterpart Carlton Palmer.

Folawiyo Onibuje
Height 6.06
Date of birth 25-09-1984
Place of birth Lagos
Position Forward
Nationality Nigerian
Current Club
Currently playing for Barnsley
Signed on 01-07-2004
Fee Free

All time playing career

Club From To Fee League FA Cup League cup Other
Barnsley 01-07-2004 Free 0 (3) 0 0 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Huddersfield 20-11-2003 21-12-2003 Loan 0 (2) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Preston 01-07-2003 01-07-2004 Trainee No appearance data available
Totals £ 0 0 (5) 0 0 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
goals / game 0 0 n/a n/a
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

 

Latest | March 2005