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Archived News from March 2009

DIAMONDS COMMENTARY LINK+PREVIEWS/GARDNER/MARRIOTT
2nd March 2009 11:25



Commentary of Saturday's game at Irthlingborough will be brought to you free-to-air by BBC Radio Nottingham online.
Following the gremlins last Saturday, the technical guys have assured that everything is now fine.
Follow the link here or go bbc.co.uk/nottingham and click on Listen Live.
Commentary will be by Dave Cribb and Martin Shaw.

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Video interview with David Holdsworth --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~1570969,00.html

Video interviews with D'Laryea and Woodhouse --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1570936,00.html

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Stags boss issues rallying cry
CHAD.co.uk, 26 February 2009, By Stephen Thirkill
STAGS boss David Holdsworth is demanding his players give him a big response against Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday after he tasted his first defeat at the club.
Full story at CHAD.co.uk here

His spirited Mansfield side crashed to a 1-0 defeat away at Oxford United to bring the club's impressive six game unbeaten streak to an end.

But Holdsworth is now urging his side to create another long unbeaten run, starting on Saturday against the Rushden side who spanked troubled Weymouth 9-0 last weekend.

"I expect a response from the team and if I don't get one they will know about it,"he said. "I do not like to lose, it hurts me and it hurts our fans. You cannot go the whole season without losing.

"The defeat is something we have to accept and respond well to with eagerness and hunger. Rushden have gone on a good run and they beat York comfortable on Tuesday night.

"Burgess is a good player, he makes them tick and links their play and he is someone who we need to watch very carefully."

The game could see Curtis Woodhouse face his former opposition, depsite a gentleman's agreement made by Holdsworth with former Rushden boss Gary Hill not to play Woodhouse.

Said Holdsworth: "Gary Hill is gone from the club now and the agreement was with him and is therefore null and void. I have talked to Justin Edinburgh who is in temporary charge and the subject has not been mentioned so I'm sure it is not a concern to him. Curtis is eager to play and is available for selection."

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Gardner closing on Stags return
Evening Post, February 26, 2009

SCOTT Gardner could be back in the Mansfield squad as soon as next weekend's game at home to Lewes.
Full story at Evening Post website here

It was feared the right-sided player had badly damaged his hamstring.
But it has now been confirmed the injury is to another muscle and tendon close by – and will not take as long to heal.
"We are hoping Scott will be back in light jogging at the end of this week, which is really good news," said boss David Holdsworth.
"Jason (Truscott) is working very hard with him and he is pleased with his progress."
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3Dfffffffcfffffffcfffffffc/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D730338/acc_random%3D6884248769/pageid%3D/RS%3D10484.10340.10183.10232.10236.10244.10257.10278.10281.10307.10323.10330.10331.10332.10364.10319.10419.10420.10425.10427.%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/anmdefaultad.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3ELouis Briscoe is definitely out with a back injury, while Rob Duffy is struggling with a tight calf.
Holdsworth said: "You could tell by the way he was running during the game again at Oxford last week that he was struggling – and he still is.
"But we have got a squad and others players have an opportunity. If they don't take it they will find themselves back in the stands."
Meanwhile, Holdsworth has indicated Curtis Woodhouse will be in his squad for the Rushden game at the weekend.
The Stags boss made a gentleman's agreement with former Diamonds boss Garry Hill that the midfielder would not play in games between the two sides when signing him in January.
But Holdsworth insists that deal was struck with Hill himself, not Rushden, and so no longer applies.
"I have spoken to Justin (Edinburgh) a number of times and he has not mentioned it," he said.
Holdsworth is still considering whether to offer trialist Ryan Williams a deal until the end of the season.

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Marriott: Fight for deals is driving Stags
Evening Post, February 26, 2009

ALAN Marriott today predicted Mansfield Town would finish their Blue Square Premier campaign season strongly – because so many players are vying to be part of the club's future.
Full story at Evening Post website here

The Stags' first choice goalkeeper is one of those already under contract for next season along with the likes of Scott Garner, Jonathan D'Laryea and Louis Briscoe.
But a raft of other players – especially those brought in by ex-boss Billy McEwan – are on one-year deals that run out in the summer.
Players in that category include Adie Moses, Michael Blackwood, Alan O'Hare, Alex Jeannin, Mark Stallard, Matt Somner, Gary Silk and Aaron O'Connor.
But Marriott, 30, is convinced eagerness to be part of David Holdsworth's new-look squad can only be good.
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3Dfffffffcfffffffcfffffffc/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D727309/acc_random%3D4373417630/pageid%3D/RS%3D10484.10340.10183.10232.10236.10244.10257.10278.10281.10307.10323.10330.10331.10332.10364.10319.10419.10420.10425.10427.%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/anmdefaultad.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"A few years ago there were three and four-year contracts around and people were not having to worry about their futures," he said.
"That's just the way it's evolved because clubs can't afford to do that anymore.
"There are a lot of players out of contract here in the summer, but players can often thrive in that situation because they want to show they deserve to be part of the future.
"You can see that everyone is putting the effort in during training. There are 14 games to go, and even if we finish in mid-table there is still a lot to play for because there are bills to be paid."

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Play-off dream still alive, say players.
chad, 26 February 2009 ,By Stephen Thirkill
MANSFIELD Town's distant play-off dream is not over yet, according to members of the Stags' squad.

Many fans had given up on the unlikely end of season Wembley appearance following the 1-0 defeat against Oxford and had instead settled for seeing the club progress on and off the field.

But club captain Jon D'Laryea said Saturday's disappointing ADVERTISEMENTsetback had not completely killed off their hopes.

"Two months ago we just wanted to pull away from the relegation zone and we have managed to do that,"he said. "We will now just take each game as it comes and see where it takes us, if we can put another good run together then who knows.

"If we do that then there are enough games left still to reach the play-offs."

Boxing midfielder Curtis Woodhouse also believes the club's Wembley hopes have not entirely disappeared.

He said: "Until the play-offs are no longer a reality then we will not give up.

"We can still make the play-offs so we will still be trying to achieve that until it is no longer mathematically possible.

"Sometimes club's at the top drop off at the end of the season when they begin to feel the pressure. If we go on another good run of results then it could be enough, we will do what we can and then see where it leaves us."

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Stags put new players on hold
Friday, February 27, 2009, 08:00Comment on this story

MANSFIELD are unlikely to bring in any more players until they trim their existing wage bill, manager David Holdsworth confirmed today.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-new-players-hold/article-731197-detail/article.html

The Stags boss targeted a loan striker from a Football League club earlier in the week with Louis Briscoe (back) already out and Rob Duffy (calf) struggling for tomorrow's trip to Rushden.
But with the possibility of winger Ryan Williams signing, should he impress in his trial, Holdsworth's budget is stretched to its limit.
"I don't think anything is going to happen before the weekend and we need to get players out on loan first," he said.
"I'm working my socks off to try to make it happen.
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3Dfffffffcfffffffcfffffffc/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D731197/acc_random%3D3903979566/pageid%3D/RS%3D10484.10340.10183.10232.10236.10278.10281.10330.10331.10332.10319.10419.10420.10425.10427.10428.10429.10464.10486.10504.%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/anmdefaultad.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"I'm working with the chairman and the board and I understand that we are top heavy.
"Managers now have to be aware of their budgets and when they can and can't bring in players.
"It is frustrating for the supporters, but the financial situation is the same all round Britain and the world."
Holdsworth gave his strongest hint yet that he is keen to tie up Williams, who started his career at Field Mill.
He said: "Alan Lewer (Williams' manager at Weymouth) couldn't speak highly enough of him. He would be quality for this season and for next season."
Holdsworth is calling for a "response" at Nene Park after Mansfield's first defeat under his charge at Oxford last weekend.
"I don't like losing and if I don't like what I see at Rushden the players will know about it," he said.
"I know I can't go the whole season unbeaten, otherwise I would be Jose Mourinho, but I expect a hunger from the players."
Scott Gardner is progressing well after a thigh injury and could be available as soon as next weekend's clash with Lewes.

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Players must be sold before I can buy, Holdsworth
CHAD, 27 February 2009
By Stephen Thirkill
MANSFIELD Town will have to release current first team squad players before they can bolster their ranks, says boss David Holdswoth.
The news could mean that any potential deal to bring former Stag Ryan Williams, who was released by cash-strapped Weymouth, back to Field Mill may collapse.

Williams, who started his football career at the Stags as a junior, playing in 29 matches in two years from 1995-97, has been training with the club since Monday and has impressed his possible future team-mates.

Ryan Williams training with Stags

Holdsworth said: "I don't think we will be bringing people in. I am trying to find loan opportunties for our players, but clubs are not ringing right now.

"I would like to think it is because of the current economic climate and not a lack of quality at this club. With the way things are at the moment it is going to be very tough for players, especially in the summer.

"There will be a lot of battling for contracts. At Mansfield Town players need to go out before I can bring in new players. I am working with the board and chairman, but I understand the situation."

Currently goalkeeper Jason White, Nathan Arnold and Alex Jeannin have been placed on the transfer list, but no bids have been forthcoming.

 

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