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Archived News from March 2005

McLACHLAN VOWS TO PROVE BOO-BOYS WRONG
11th March 2005 19:15


McLachlan vows to prove the boo-boys wrong
CHAD website, 10 March 2005

STAGS midfielder Fraser McLachlan, target of the terrace boo-boys last weekend, vowed to bounce back against Oxford United on Saturday (3pm).
McLachlan, who has been barracked since becoming new manager Carlton Palmer's first signing, said: "Overall I felt I had been doing all right though Saturday I know I had a bad day at the office.
"But I really couldn't understand why people were booing my name before the game.
"If I am having a bad game, as I did on Saturday, people have every right to voice their opinion as they pay their money.
"But it doesn't help. All you can do is try to be professional, put it to the back of your mind and get on with the job.
"I did start my time at Mansfield quite poorly as I wasn't 100 per cent fit, which didn't help.
"I started to do a lot better but, since then I have injured both knees, one from trying to come back too soon from the injury to the other knee.
"But I love playing football and that's all I want to do.
"This season is not over yet if we can put a run together we can still mke the play-offs. We just need to take it one game at a time and make sure our performances are right."
McLachlan is likely to keep his place in the side against Oxford, although manager Carlton Palmer has promised one or two surprises in his line-up and won't rule out bringing in a new face if it can be done in time. Defender Jake Buxton looks set to be rested after battling on with hip and groin problems in his last two games.
A deal for Derek Asamoah to leave the club is almost complete with another club interested in taking him on a permament signing.
Kiwi striker Shane Smeltz has now moved on to Rushden and Diamonds after spending two months on a non-contract basis at Field Mill.
"Shane's a good lad but not what we want right now," said Palmer.
Visitors Oxford have lost four of their last five matches and are feeling the pinch financially with Argentinian manager Ramon Diaz being told the club may not be able to afford to keep him and his six-strong coaching staff.
French winger Amine Karam could be involved for Oxford after impressing in a trial game this week.
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PALMER MAY HAVE SURPRISES IN STORE
Evening Post, 10 March 2005
New Mansfield Town manager Carlton Palmer says he could have "a couple of surprises" for Stags fans in his first game as boss against Oxford United on Saturday.

Palmer was finally named as manager yesterday, with Paul Holland confirmed as his assistant.

The management duo will be in place until the end of next season.

But Palmer says his appointment is merely the next step in a process that started in November, when he was appointed as caretaker-manager following former manager Keith Curle's suspension.

Palmer - who worked for free during his spell as caretaker boss - is having talks with a Millwall midfielder about a loan move.

He is also talking to 18-year-old Kingstonian midfielder Giles Coke and a striker about permanent deals. He says signing a new player in time for Saturday's game is still a possibility.

Richie Barker and on-loan Birmingham striker Andrew Barrowman look set to start up front against Oxford.

Alex John-Baptiste, who is suffering from migraines and needs contact lenses, will start.

And the Stags' new boss hinted that long-term absentees Rhys Day and Scott McNiven - who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November - could both be in the squad. But Jake Buxton, who has a groin problem, will be rested.

Palmer has promised the fans who booed him on Saturday that he won't let their abuse get to him now he has been installed as manager.

"I did have a think about whether I was willing to put up with the kind of abuse I got on Saturday," he said. "But it won't affect me now. I've been booed by my ex-wife and I've been booed at Wembley, but it feels sweet when you go up the steps to lift a trophy.

"I've made people eat their words before and I'll do it again. I want to be a football manager and I want to see how far I can go with it. I'm going to have a good crack at it.

"It's been a difficult time but it's over with.

I can concentrate on the job in hand now, which is to get Mansfield promoted. It is a big challenge, but I've changed things around already. The play-offs are still a realistic goal.

"We've got a good nucleus of young players and we're trying to bring more in.

"The spirit is very good at this club. It could be a very exciting time for Mansfield Town."

Chairman Keith Haslam said: "A new era has begun and, as far as we are concerned, the Keith Curle situation is over. It's up to Keith (Curle) and his advisers if they want to take it further."

'GET BEHIND PALMER'
Evening Post, 10 March 2005
Dean Foulkes, chairman of the Stags Supporters Association, says he hopes Mansfield Town fans will get behind Palmer.

"The treatment of Carlton on Saturday was disgraceful," he said.

"The fans' frustrations have been based on the uncertainty of the last few months. It's been a transitional period but the uncertainty has been taken away with Carlton's appointment.

"Whether it's Carlton Palmer or Jose Mourinho, the fans need to get behind the manager."

Stags fan Steve Hartshorn said: "I welcome a bit of stability. It gives us a clean start and we can move forward.

"I wish Carlton every bit of success. If he's successful that means Mansfield Town will be successful and that's all I care about."
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SPORTINGLIFE.COM:

FOULKES CALLS FOR FANS TO UNITE
Mansfield fans are being urged to turn Field Mill into a fortress ahead of Oxford's visit which will mark the opening of manager Carlton Palmer's permanent tenure.

Palmer has this week been confirmed as Stags chief after having worked for free since joining the Nottinghamshire club in a caretaker capacity in November.

But a section of the Mansfield faithful have been unhappy with progress and Palmer plus midfielder Fraser McLachlan were the targets of abuse during the 1-1 home draw with Shrewsbury last time out.

However, Stags Supporters Association chairman Dean Foulkes said: "There's a vocal section who I think have been concerned at the amount of chopping and changing but that's been inevitable after Keith Curle left and Carlton arrived.

"I think the booing of Carlton and Fraser at the last game was disgraceful because although it's been a difficult period for us, we're all fans of Mansfield Town Football Club and wanting to move forward.

"It's not about Carlton Palmer as the manager, it's about the club as a whole and I think we should be moving forward united together."

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