Archived News from September 2007
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PREVIEWS - DEARDEN: GET BEHIND THE TEAM
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To watch a full video interview with Jake Buxton by Chad's Stephen Thirkill, click
here STAGS captain Jake Buxton says Mansfield Town know three points is a must in tomorrow's vital match against Dagenham. Buxton, who will return for the Field Mill Division II match after a one-match suspension, also says the players must ignore any protests by the fans against owner Keith Haslam and focus on their game. ---------- Saturday is massive game for us - Mac CHAD.co.uk, 27 Sep 2007, By Stephen Thirkill NEW Stags' striker John McAliskey says Mansfield Town have to work hard to grind out results and lift themselves away from the League Two relegation zone. Target man McAliskey, who has scored twice since his summer switch from Huddersfield Town, missed the disappointing defeat away to basement rivals Accrington Stanley last Saturday with an ankle injury, but is expected to be fit for the crunch game against Dagenham. And according to McAliskey, who has so far formed a profitable partnership with strike partner Mickey Boulding, the basement battle is a must-win match. "The Accrington game was a poor match, I didn't think they were very good and it's really disappointing to have come away with a defeeat,"said McAliskey. "The game on Saturday is a massive game for us and it is important we get three points. We do not want to be in a position where we get adrift and then when we win it counts for nothing because of how far adrift we are. "We have got tough games coming up and it is really important that we beat our rivals. We needed to get something out of Accrington and we have to get the three points against Dagenham." And Huddersfield-born McAliskey now hopes to hit the goal trail and help pull Stags out of danger. Said McAliskey: "I would have liked to have scored more goals and think I was pretty unlucky against Peteborough when my goal should not have been disallowed, but if I score on Saturday it will be much better. "It is good to get a run in the team like I am doing at the moment, but I want to be winning games rather than playing in a losing team. "We now need to work hard and grind the results out, we need to battle and I hope to hit the back of the net and play a part in getting better results." Protest doesn't help team, says Billy CHAD.co.uk, 27 Sep 2007, By Stephen Thirkill STAGS boss Billy Dearden is urging fans to get behind the team during their crunch 'relegation six-pointer' against Dagenham at Field Mill on Saturday. Hundreds of fans are expected to protest before and during the vital game to show their frustration at the time it is taking owner Keith Haslam to sell the club and the club's worrying slide into the League Two drop zone. But speaking ahead of the basement battle Dearden told Chad the supporters must unite to cheer the side on to three crucial points. "The protest does not interest me. It has been going on for a long time now and it doesn't help the team," he said. "We are here to play football and all we can do is concentrate on what is happening on the pitch and on our game. "We had this unrest all last season and during this season. The fans now need to get behind us and cheer us on. We all want the same thing, three points against Dagenham on Saturday. We all want to see a full ground and a successful team." And Dearden is confident that if Stags improve on their defensive problems, which has seen them concede the most goals in the entire division, they can bag maximum points against the London side. Said Dearden: "I saw Dagenham play against Notts County the other week and they played well in patches. They impressed me in some of their game and work very hard to chase lost causes. "This is a very important game for us and for our season. We do not want to be in the bottom two like we are, but If we play how we can play then we have enough to win this game. "We want to get out of the position we are in and it is important that we start to defend better as a team. At the start of the season I thought our back four would be strong, it has not turned out that way yet. "We have to do more to stop the crosses getting into the box and defend better from the front. It is disappointing how teams are not having to do much to score against us. "We are gifting them goals and we have to do more to make it much harder for them to score against us. The best way to put things right is with three points against Dagenham on Saturday." -------------- Simon Brown told Evening Post website that he is hopeful of starting against Daggers: "It seems to be ok now and I was just happy to get on the field at Accrington. I'm a bit down of my fitness but I'm getting the levels up all the time and with this week's training, hopefully, I'll be available for selection. I had two chances (against Accrington) but I missed them both. That has been the story of our season and it's not good enough." Read the full story here: http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Brown-is--ready--to-227869.aspx Meanwhile Safety officer Les Norman told Evening Post website about safety concerns: "We had one turnstile which wasn't working (against Chesterfield). We are now confident it is in working order." Read the full story here: http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Club-says-turnstile-52105126.aspx ---------- 'Bap' back for Dagenham CHAD.co.uk, 27 Sep 2007, By Stephen Thirkill INFLUENTIAL Stags' defender Alex John-Baptiste is likely to be in the starting line-up for the crunch clash against Dagenham if he successfully comes through training today. The powerful centre-back has missed Stags' last six games during which they have leaked 12 goals and won only once against Stockport County. And the return will be welcome news for boss Billy Dearden, who will be going into the basement battle without experienced defender Martin Mcintosh (hamstring injury), Danny Sleath (dead leg) and long term absentee Jonathan D'laryea. Speaking ahead of Saturday's vital home game Dearden told Chad: "He is back in training and has a good chance of playing, but we will have to see how he does in training today. "He is a quality player who can hold the back four together. He is a massive part of our defence and we have obviously missed him. We need him back in the team and back at his best." Stags are also expected to welcome back striker Simon Brown, who came on as subsitute in the disappointing defeat against Accrington and successfully came through a reserve game against Doncaster on Tuesday, and John McAliskey, who is expected to overcome a twisted ankle. Said Dearden: "It is good news that we have players coming back to bolster the squad. We have missed them and having these players back is a big boost to us and will allow us to pick a stronger squad. "Having Simon Brown back is like having a new signing because he has been away for so long. He is not match fit yet but is training very well and it is great to see him back in the squad again." Lee Bullock . . . loan deal at Field Mill may be extended CHAD.co.uk, 27 Sep 2007, By Stephen Thirkill MANSFIELD Town boss Billy Dearden is hopeful he can extend the loan deal of midfielder Lee Bullock when his one-month loan spell runs out after Saturday's game. Bullock has played four games for Stags since signing from Hartlepool United and has impressed Dearden with his work-rate and versatility. Dearden, who has had talks with Pools' boss Danny Wilson about extending the deal, told Chad Bullock had been impressive during his brief time at Field Mill. Said Dearden: "I want Bullock to stay here, I think he wants to stay here and Hartlepool say we can take him so it is now down to the player and we will be holding talks in the coming days. "He has been a different class when he has been here and has been great to have in the dressing room. We have not been at our best when he has been here, but he has performed very well and we would like to extend his deal." Boss Dearden has also been watching a number of games in recent weeks as he attempts to bolster his struggling squad for the fight ahead. "I am always looking for new players. I went to a game last night and one on Tuesday night to see what was there,"said Dearden. "We are always looking to improve the squad that we have here. "It is not as urgent now as it was because players are beginning to return to the squad. If the right player is available I will be doing my best to bring them in." |
Latest | September 2007