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Archived News from March 2009

HOLDSWORTH, STALLARD AND HARVEY REACTION
18th March 2009 20:20


David Holdsworth interview with BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Cribb here

David Holdsworth video interview from Stagsworld freeview here

Mark Stallard video interview from Stagsworld freeview here

Don't miss the Stagsworld Sunday Supplement, with Nigel Pinnick, Dave Jervis, Mark Kearney and Andy Perry here

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Jim Harvey reaction from BBC Radio Gloucestershire here

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Referee under fire after two red cards in Stags win
CHAD
By John Lomas and Tim Morriss
BOTH managers were unhappy with referee Colin Harwood as Stags and Forest Green ended up with 10 men and three bookings apiece in Mansfield's 3-0 victory at Field Mill on Saturday afternoon.
But the victory continued the Stags' unbeaten home run under David Holdsworth without conceding a single goal in those six games.

It was also Forest Green's first defeat in 10 outings, Andy Mangan's 45th minute red card for foul and abusive language leaving them short-handed and Matt Somner joining him for the early bath for a clash with Adriano Rigoglioso on 75 minutes.

Mark Stallard in the first half and then Rob Duffy from the penalty spot and Scott Garner late on secured the victory - the first time the Stags have scored more than two goals under David Holdsworth.

The Stags boss - who revealed afterwards that Scott Gardner has agreed a deal to keep at Field Mill until the end of next season - said: "It was a convincing win in the end and we could have doubled that. We were far superior with attempts on goal and opportunities.

"It was a perfect cross for our opener. I was delighted to see Mark Stallard score. It was a textbook header from a textbook centre forward."

On the referee, he added: "I have got to be careful what I say as I had a go at the referee in midweek and have taken some stick for that.

"I spoke to their manager and he was disappointed with the referee before the game so who knows how he felt afterwards!

"I thought there were a couple of naughty challenges on the little man, Ryan Williams. We have had a man sent off for barely nothing yet one of the tackles on Ryan was X-rated – a real leg-breaker. Their lad may have just mistimed it - but it didn't look good."

On the red cards, he added: "For verbal and bad language I would fine my player and Mr Harvey will be disappointed with his striker as they were doing okay at that point.

"Our sending-off was so soft and I have asked the referee if he will look at it again to see if it shows there was not a coming together. But I can only defend players to a certain level.

"Sometimes it can be hard against 10 men. Especially with expectation levels high. But we really put them to bed

"I had a go at our midfield at half time as I didn't think they were competing enough. But they were better after the break."

One interested spectator was new signing Daryl Clare who joined in with the pre-match warm-up.

"I won't be rushing Daryl, he needs to get fit and is working very hard," said Holdsworth.

"We have created a number of chances today and there is a guy sat there in the stand who might have put them away.

"He can't wait to get started and just watching the ones he scored in the warm-up excited me! He will play in the reserves on Wednesday and we'll take it from there."

Forest Green boss Jim Harvey said: "We had two teams intent on playing football, there wasn't a bad tackle in the game and yet the referee has ruined it.

"He has sent two players off and booked goodness knows how many more. I have got to be mindful of what I say but the referee has taken the game away from us.

"Things happened out there that shouldn't have and it's very, very disappointing. We played exceptionally well in the first half and didn't deserve to be losing at half time.

"Their first goal was offside, albeit there was poor marking from us. Then came the sending off.

"Andy (Mangan) had burst through into the area and been bundled over. He thought it was a penalty and was full of adrenalin when he made his outburst.

"He used industrial language, but not a game goes by when that doesn't happen. A quiet word from the referee would have sufficed, but to send him off ruined the game.

"The penalty came out of nowhere and I couldn't see why it was given. That's taken the game away from us and I know that David Holdsworth is also disgusted with the management of the game."

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Evening Post:
Stags boss Holdsworth: I'm relishing fight for places
Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 08:00Comment on this story

DAVID Holdsworth today said he is relishing the competition for places up front with Daryl Clare on the brink of his debut.
The prolific striker took part in the warm-up before Saturday's victory against Forest Green Rovers but did not make the bench.
Holdsworth then saw strike pairing Mark Stallard and Rob Duffy get on the scoresheet in the 3-0 win.
But he cannot wait for when Clare is ready for action.
Holdsworth said: "There was somebody in the crowd who cannot wait to get himself a bit fitter.
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D775068/acc_random%3D3538413006/pageid%3D/RS%3D10307.%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"He might put some of those chances to bed that we have missed in other games.
"We will keep working on Daryl and he has worked very hard. He was in for a double session on Monday and double session today and he will play in the reserves on Wednesday.
"He took part in the warm up and some of the goals he scored in the warm up excited me but we have to be careful and manage the situation correctly.
"We want him in the 16 but if the boys keep scoring we won't have a problem.
"Any manager is delighted with competition and I know I have brought in quality players and long may that continue.
"I have tried to bring the levels up and get the players smiling. And they are smiling.
"They got a rollicking at half-time on Saturday and quite rightly so but they are smiling now because they won.
"Next season I want to make sure I have everyone singing from the right hymn sheet."

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Evening Post
Holdsworth: I want even more from Stags
Monday, March 16, 2009, 08:00Comment on this story

MANSFIELD Town boss David Holdsworth was delighted with the way his side demolished Forest Green Rovers.
But he will demand more from his men to ensure they finish their Blue Square Premier season on a high as they plan for a promotion push next year. The 3-0 victory at Field Mill on Saturday means the Stags are still unbeaten under Holdsworth at home and have yet to concede a goal in six games.
He said: "I still believe we can offer a lot more, I want more, I demand more. I was pleased with another clean sheet and we really put them to bed.
"I asked my players to be disciplined and correct in the way they proceeded; we did that and I was very pleased with the ethic.
"It was a convincing win in terms of opportunities. Of course we want to win games by more than 1-0 and we created a number of chances but we have done that in other games. We are making good progress."
Forest Green had striker Andrew Mangan sent off and Matt Somner saw red in the second half.
But in the final minutes, Forest Green skipper Darren Jones escaped with a yellow for a late lunge on winger Ryan Williams. Holdsworth said: "I spoke to their manager and he was disappointed with his assessment (of the referee) before the game, let alone afterwards so I don't know what he is going to say.
"There was a couple of naughty challenges, especially on the little man Ryan. I thought it was a harsh tackle and we have had a man sent off for hardly nothing. We might appeal against it. Yet the challenge on Ryan was X-rated. It was a leg-breaking challenge."
The Stags boss also revealed that Scott Gardner has now agreed a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of next season.
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Evening Post:
Holdsworth's harsh words does the trick for Stags
Sunday, March 15, 2009, 09:19Comment on this story

DAVID Holdsworth said he had harsh words with his midfield at half time – but was delighted with their response as Mansfield Town beat Forest Green Rovers 3-0.
The Stags were 1-0 up at the break and the visitors had Andrew Mangan sent off for foul and abusive language on the stroke of half time.
But manager Holdsworth was unhappy with the amount of possession Forest Green were enjoying in the middle of the park.
He revealed: "I had some harsh words with my midfield at half time. I did not think they were competing enough and they needed to be told. Jon (D'Laryea) and Soms (Matt Somner) were better."
Somner saw red late in the game for kicking out at Adriano Rigoglioso and Holdsworth is planning to appeal.
But he was pleased with Mark Stallard's opener that put Mansfield on their way to victory.
"As for the first goal it was a perfect cross and I am delighted for Mark Stallard," he said. "It was a great ball in from Ryan Williams and great execution and a textbook header from a textbook centre forward.
"I was delighted with the win. It was deserved."
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Evening Post:
Stags striker Stallard thrives on quality service
Monday, March 16, 2009, 08:00Comment on this story

MARK Stallard struck his ninth goal of the season for Mansfield Town and said more would follow if the excellent service continued.
The veteran forward rose to head home a superb Ryan Williams cross after only ten minutes to put the Stags on their way to a 3-0 win against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
And Stallard, who made his second start under David Holdsworth after being out of the team, hopes to continue that form.
He said: "It was a great ball in from Ryan and any striker will tell you they will score goals if you give them quality service. It is about getting in the right places to put them away.
"But it was a great ball in from Curtis [Woodhouse] for Scott Garner's goal so they were two goals from decent crosses.
"It is frustrating when you are not playing but I have trained hard, got my head down and worked on my fitness and things like that.
"When I was asked to play I tried to do my best and I told the gaffer I will give it everything I have got."
The swirling wind caused havoc at times at Field Mill on Saturday but Stallard was pleased with how Mansfield handled the elements.
"It was a great win in difficult conditions," he said. "We did not play as well as we would have liked to.
"But they were a decent team on a decent run, nine unbeaten, so for us to win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet is a good win.
"There are things to improve on and we will take three points any day.
"The wind made it difficult. Every time it was in the air it was hard to read but you have to play these conditions, it is the same for both teams and you cannot always play in perfect conditions."
The Stags are now unbeaten in all six home games under Holdsworth and have yet to concede a goal at Field Mill.
Stallard insists it is imperative they continue to build on that as they prepare for a promotion challenge next season.
He said: "It is a really good run and one we want to keep on and take it on until the end of the season and then give us something to build on next season.
"There are things to improve on but it is about results.
"We probably played better on Tuesday night and came away with nothing at Cambridge.
"We have not played as well here but come away with a 3-0 win and three points.
"That is what football is like and here we stuck at it, battled and got a convincing win."
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Latest | March 2009