Archived News from March 2007
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PREVIEWS AND TEAM NEWS
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DEARDEN: NO MERCY BY STAGS
Evening Post, 16 March 2007 Billy Dearden today urged Mansfield to show the same killer instinct they have shown against promotion-hunting sides when they tackle League Two's strugglers. The Stags have gone five games unbeaten against teams in mid-table or higher, including wins over Lincoln and Wycombe. But Mansfield have not always fared so well against teams battling for their Football League survival, having already lost at home this season to Bury and Grimsby. The Stags now have successive Field Mill games against Boston and Macclesfield - both in the bottom five. "We have slipped up against the bottom sides and have to put that right - and we will do if we play and fight like we have been doing," he said. Dearden denied reports he is to sign striker David Stone from non-league Rugby Town. -------------- Conlon back for Boston game CHAD website, 15 Mar 2007 BIG striker Barry Conlon is back in the frame for a starting place against Boston United on Saturday. Conlon missed last Saturday's clash with local-rivals Notts County after returning to Ireland with what the club described as a 'personal problem'. He has scored four league goals since signing from Darlington and figured for the reserves in a 3-1 defeat at Loughborough University yesterday (Wesnesday). Dearden told Chad: "Barry has trained a couple of days this week. "He played at Loughborough for 70 minutes, he didn't want to come off, because that's the kind of lad he is. "But I didn't want him to pick up an injury, and he will be in the squad for the Boston game." * Danny Reet was on target for Stags in the defeat at Loughborough. Irish eyes are smiling! CHAD website, 15 Mar 2007 IRISHMAN Stephen Dawson is planning to enjoy St Patrick's day on Saturday with three points against Boston United . . . and a pint or two of the black stuff! Dawson is flying back to Dublin straight after the game to celebrate the occasion and have some quality time with his family. But before jetting home for a celebration, Dawson has his eyes firmly set on extending Stags' impressive five-match unbeaten run. "Training has been good and sharp this week and the players know that we have to aim for six points out of six in our next two home matches," said the midfielder. "It's a shame we will be without John (D'Laryea), he's been one of our best players all season, and we'll miss him. "It could mean Hodgey (Bryan Hodge) moving into the centre of midfield, but that is obviously a decision for the gaffer to make." * For all the latest Stags news, visit http://www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk. D'Laryea a 'big doubt' CHAD website, 15 Mar 2007 STAGS' influential midfielder Jon D'Laryea is almost certain to miss Saturday's visit of lowly Boston United. D'Laryea has not recovered from a twisted ankle picked up in the goalless draw at Meadow Lane. Mansfield boss Billy Dearden told Chad: "He's a big, big doubt for Saturday. "He's a lad who wants to play, even if he's injured. He's done tremendously well for me. He's injured his ankle ligaments and I personally cannot see him being fit for Saturday. "He has been one of the most consistent players since I came back to the club. He just gets on with the game, works his socks off, and he will be missed." There is better news, though, on the fitness of his central midfield partner Stephen Dawson who has recovered from a calf strain picked up in the same game. Dearden expects the Boston encounter to be a physical battle for his players, and has been warning against any complacency all week. "There is no such thing as a home banker," said Dearden. "We must treat Boston with a lot of respect, but I know that if we are at the races, and show as much fight as we did last week at Notts, then we should get the result that we are looking for. "We could possibly win the next two matches, which we'll be going all out to win, then we can look at it again differently. "I think we've got some very tough games coming up, because we've got to play all the bottom six or seven, and people will be expecting us to beat them, but it doesn't always work out like that. "We must be at the races, we've got a good chance of picking up a lot more points." Stags are eight points behind the play-off places with nine games left. * For all the latest Stags news, visit http://www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk. |
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