{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from July 2009

FRIENDLY:WALSALL TONIGHT (7.30 KICK OFF) -PREVIEWS
31st July 2009 12:30


David Holdsworth audio interview previewing Walsall game (7.30pm kick off) --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1734985,00.html

----------------

Silk is the only Stags doubt for Saddlers test
CHAD.co.uk, 27 July 2009, By John Lomas
ONLY Gary Silk is an injury doubt for Mansfield Town as they prepare to face League One Walsall at Field Mill tomorrow night.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Silk-is-the-only-Stags.5497618.jp

A weaker Mansfield Town XI crashed 3-0 in Saturday's friendly at Blue Square North neighbours Alfreton Town on Saturday.

But Kyle Nix, Paul Heckingbotom, Jake Speight, Steven Istead and Rob Duffy have all come through training today and should be in contention to face the Saddlers tomorrow for a match which kicks-off at the earlier time of 7.30pm.

"We will monitor them over the next 24 hours but all of them should be fit to take some part of the game," said boss David Holdsworth.

"But Gary Silk has a sore toe after a tackle on Saturday and is 80 per cent certain to miss out.

"With having four or five injury niggles I thought it was necessary to give a few of the youngsters and a trialist a game on Saturday. I knew it would be a tough game and so it proved.

"Now we are loking forward to taking on another Football League side at home tomorrow."

However, former Chesterfield youngster Ben Algar was released after Saturday.

"It is very hard to integrate trialists at this time of the season and I feel we have enough cover here," added Holdsworth.

"I am content with the squad I have here once they are all fit. I am not the sort of manager to rotate players and, if I do need anyone, there are plenty out there."

But Stags will continue to keep and monitor trialist Karim Ibrahim (18), who also played on Saturday.

Gary Mills, Scott Garner, Kyle Perry and Louis Briscoe will all return tomorrow after being rested on Saturday.

Walsall held Championship neighbours West Brom to a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

------------------

Clare wants to be on the spot for Stags
Evening Post, July 28, 2009

IF a penalty is awarded at Field Mill tonight, the likelihood is Daryl Clare might be caught up in a bit of a friendly scuffle with one of his strike partners.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Clare-wants-spot-Stags/article-1198279-detail/article.html

Clare, who boasts a prolific goalscoring record at non-league level, is desperate to take on penalty-taking duties at Mansfield Town.
But first, he knows he has to get the ball off co-striker Rob Duffy.
The Welshman took on the responsibility when he arrived from Newport County and successfully converted three spot kicks out of three last season.
That helped him to a tally of nine goals in 21 games and saw him finish as the club's joint-top scorer, along with Mark Stallard.
Even so, Clare is keen to take over the role in what he hopes will be the kind of prolific season that has earned him a fearsome reputation at this level.
And if a spot-kick is awarded in the favour of Stags tonight when they host Walsall, Clare hopes to be on the pitch to take it.
"I have always taken penalties my whole career and they are a nice little bonus to your goal tally," said Clare.
"You tend to get five or six penalties in a season and that can potentially make the difference between scoring 20 goals and 25 or 26.
"In the coming season, I would hope to have the job, but it all depends on who is playing in the team at the time and doing the business.
"It could be down to who does well in pre-season as to who gets the nod."
So far, Mansfield have not been awarded a penalty in the games against Newport, Leicester and Alfreton.
Clare has started two of those and made one substitute appearance and is hoping to get on the scoresheet against League One Walsall tonight.
And the striker has been encouraged by the standard of new players brought into the club by boss David Holdsworth.
Clare said: "It's an exciting young team the manager is putting together. He has been targeting good quality players.
"We have a good young manager in charge as well, so it is all looking good, but now it is down to the players to perform.
"I know the boys who have come in more by reputation than anything else, but I think the gaffer has made some astute signings."
Clare has signed for a year with the option of a second 12 months if the club wishes to take it up.
"I think it works both ways," he said. "If I do the business and score 25 goals, then the club have the opportunity to keep me.
"It also gives me the incentive to go out and do well, but I'm hungry anyway. I know you have to earn your bread in this day and age.
"I want to rise to the challenge."

----------------------

 

Latest | July 2009