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Archived News from January 2008

CUP PREVIEWS
3rd January 2008 13:39


Stags told to cope without star player
By Andy Naylor, 3 Jan 2008
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion

SIMON Brown admits it is time for him and the rest of Mansfield's attacking players to step up to the plate in the absence of star man Michael Boulding.

The struggling Stags' chances of causing an upset at Withdean on Saturday have been hit by the loss of 15-goal Boulding with a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat at runaway League Two leaders MK Dons on New Year's Day.

Boulding has scored more than half of Mansfield's league goals. Fellow striker John McAliskey was also forced off on Tuesday with a groin strain and the injuries could not have come at a worse time for beleaguered boss Billy Dearden.

Mansfield face a hectic January, with home games against Wycombe, Wrexham and Darlington and trips to Chester, Stockport and Lincoln, as well as tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie.

Brown insists others like Ian Holmes, who completed Mansfield's 3-0 victory in the first round against Lewes, can fill the gap.

"There is extra pressure on the players now to get goals because you take Mickey Boulding out and it is a big loss," Brown said.

"Our second top scorer only has four goals but it is up to the players who aren't injured to chip in.

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Meanwhile Brown told Evening Post website: "It is up to the players who aren't injured to chip in. Ian Holmes did well at Mk Dons so hopefully he can get a few and I'm confident that I can get goals at this level. When you come to the league leaders (MK Dons) you know you are going to be in for a tough game. The performance against Accrington was pathetic so we wanted to put it right against MK Dons."
In the end a single, deflected goal off Brown sunk the Stags and he said: "Things like that have been costly for us, but we still need to be more creative around the box."
Full interview and story at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk
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