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Archived News from December 2009

GATESHEAD PREVIEWS. ISTEAD TO ALFRETON LOAN
4th December 2009 22:04


mansfieldtown.net confirms on Tuesday morning that the game at Gateshead goes ahead --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1891522,00.html?

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Stags match is ON
Evening Post, December 01, 2009

MANSFIELD TOWN'S match at Gateshead tonight (7.45pm) will go ahead as planned after a successful early pitch inspection.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-match/article-1565654-detail/article.html?

Local Gateshead referee Billy Khatib inspected the pitch this morning and deemed it playable.
"The pitch is fine for this time of year," he said. "It's damp, as you would as expect but it is playable. The ball is rolling fine.
"The weather forecast for the rest of the day is bright and breezy,"

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Stags' Burgess determined to make his mark
Evening Post, December 01, 2009

NEW boy Andy Burgess insists Mansfield can put the misery of Ebbsfleet behind them at Gateshead tonight.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-Burgess-determined-make-mark/article-1561547-detail/article.html?

The Stags were strongly tipped for victory on Saturday at Stonebridge Road but succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.
Midfielder Burgess made his debut in the game after signing from Luton Town and was as frustrated as anyone with Stags' performance.
But he says there is a determination among the players to put things right in the north-east.
"It was a very disappointing game at Ebbsfleet – the first half was OK but in the second half we just didn't come out of the traps," said Burgess.
"We gave away two sloppy goals at important times and them scoring so early gave them a massive lift.
"I didn't get the ball as much as I'd like and we didn't pass the ball as we can.
"We have had the chat and meetings and now the time for talk has gone and we have to put it right on the pitch.
"The good thing is that we have another game and it is important to bounce back.
"We are going to need to compete and we are not going to play the ball long because of the strikers we have out.
"But if we can win the battle we have the players who are more than capable of winning the game."

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'Best Stags squad' must prove worth, says boss
Evening Post, December 01, 2009

DAVID Holdsworth believes he has the best set of players at his disposal since he arrived at Mansfield Town – and has urged them to go and prove it.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Best-Stags-squad-prove-worth-says-boss/article-1561540-detail/article.html?

The Stags were left reeling by a 2-1 defeat at lowly Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, despite the squad being boosted by loan signings Andy Burgess and Lee Morris.
But Holdsworth maintains his view that Mansfield are better equipped than ever to cope with the rigours of a Blue Square Premier promotion race.
He hopes they can show why by bouncing back at Gateshead tonight.
"The boys were very honest and apologetic after Ebbsfleet, recognising it was not good enough – and they have to roll their sleeves up," he said.
"All games are important but when you have suffered a defeat you are looking for players to show character.
"You can't look on things too negatively and I believe we have got the best squad since I have been here.
"Certainly there is enough experience and quality there and if the boys show intelligence and commitment, then they won't go far wrong."
Holdsworth felt Mansfield's defending was their biggest problem at Ebbsfleet and is looking for a stark improvement in the north-east.
He said: "You have to have strong foundations, as we did in the victory we had at Crawley."
Midfielder Steven Istead has joined Alfreton on a one-month loan.

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Gateshead hoping to strike it lucky
Dec 1 2009 by Jeff Bowron, The Journal
GATESHEAD face a Mansfield Town side stripped of three frontline strikers at the International Stadium tonight, with both sides needing points for different reasons.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/football-news/non-league-football/2009/12/01/gateshead-hoping-to-strike-it-lucky-61634-25292084/?

Leading scorer Rob Duffy, Kyle Perry and Jake Speight – 28 goals between them this season – are all out, increasing hopes Gateshead can heap more misery on the fifth-placed Stags.

David Holdsworth's side gave lowly Ebbsfleet United their first win in 16 games on Saturday at the same time Gateshead were coming from behind to beat Crawley Town.

Both sides will feel the loss of Daryl Clare, currently on loan at the International Stadium from Mansfield, as the experienced front man is not allowed to face his parent club.

Gateshead manager Ian Bogie expects a reaction from the wounded Stags, and which weakened attack performs the best could determine who comes out on top.

He said: “Clare will be a big miss because he is a good player in a rich vein of form.

“However, Mansfield have their own problems up front and anyone can beat anyone else in this league.”

Clare's absence is softened by the return of joint leading scorer Graeme Armstrong but new loan signing from Rochdale, striker Jon Shaw, is again out with a calf tear.

The last time Mansfield played on Tyneside was as a Football League club in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2006 - a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United at St.James' Park.

There was a 42,000 crowd present that day, but tonight's clash at the International Stadium could be in front of three rather than five figures.

Bogie added: “Mansfield Town are a league club in all but status.

“They are a big draw in Blue Square Premier terms. and hopefully there will be a decent crowd for what is a big game for us.”

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30 November 2009
Istead joins Alfreton on loan --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1891025,00.html?

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Istead joins neigbours on loan
CHAD.co.uk,30 November 2009, By John Lomas

Alfreton Town have today signed midfielder Steven Istead on loan until the New Year.
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Istead-joins-neigbours-on-loan.5870261.jp?

The 23-year-old has joined the Conference North outfit for a month.

Istead has made only four starts since signing in the summer from Ilkeston Town and has appeared as a substitute 10 times.

Manager David Holdsworth today told mansfieldtown.net: "I am sure Steven Istead will have a successful spell working with Nicky Law and Alfreton Town.

He added: "It's important that our fringe players are able to get minutes on pitch and this opportunity will give Steven that chance."

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David Holdsworth video interview. Gary Silk with start ---->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~1890432,00.html

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Stags' 28-goal trio miss Gateshead trip
CHAD.co.uk,30 November 2009, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD Town must make the long haul up to Tyneside tomorrow night and take on Gateshead without all three of their 28-goal strike force.
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags39-28goal-trio-miss-Gateshead.5870045.jp?

With Kyle Perry and Jake Speight already ruled out injured, Rob Duffy picked up a fifth booking of the season in Saturday's shock 2-1 defeat at Ebbsfleet United and will be suspended.

Unless Perry makes a miraculous recovery overnight from his thigh strain, manager David Holdsworth will have to rely on Blair Sturrock, new signing Lee Morris and Louis Briscoe.

But he said today, it was time for the rest of his squad to start chipping in with goals from other positions.

"With 'Pezzer' out, we will miss Rob Duffy's height up there," he said. "But someone else has got to take responsibility now.

"I felt sorry for Rob on Saturday as it was a soft booking and the referee could have been a bit more leniant but I think he was trying to even things up a bit.

"You always miss players who score goals. Now we need players who are brave enough to get in the box and make runs off the ball. They need that energy to get in there and score."

Holdsworth will decide on a side after training today before they make the long haul up the A1 tomorrow and could revert to his 4-3-3 away formation with Sturrock in the centre.

Gary Silk will return at right back in place of stand-in Michael Brough who kept Silk sidelined on Saturday.

After Saturday's dreadful display Holdsworth had his players in yesterday for a heart-to-heart and was pleased with what he heard.

"One or two of them rang me last night to say it had ruined their weekend like it had for me and the fans so there is no question that they care," he said.

"They are willing and honest and have done a lot of hard work this season. I enjoy working with them.

"When they came in they were apologetic about some of their performances. They know you cannot defend like that at any level from ours right up to Arsenal against Chelsea.

"Now they have to roll their sleeves up and come up with the correct response tomorrow night. We need to shown the right type of character.

"I firmly believe this is the best squad I have had since I came here."

At least Stags won't have to face their own strike star Daryl Clare, who has bagged six goals on loan at Gateshead and can't play under the terms of the loan agreement which ends in the first week of January.

"At the time we sent Daryl out he wanted to play games but couldn't get in our side as Duffy and Perry were scoring goals," said Holdsworth.

"Also we have to manage the books here. But if he comes back here still firing in January then no one will be more delighted than me. He will be welcomed back with open arms."

Other than Perry, Kyle Nix and Gary Mills, Stags should have a full squad tomorrow with Holdsworth saying most of the weekend's knocks were 'bruised egos'.

And it is hoped that on-loan midfielder Ollie Hotchkiss, who had to travel home last weekend for a private family matter, will be back involved tomorrow.

He added: "Gateshead are doing fine right now and it is never an easy place to go.

"It is a huge journey like we had on Saturday and that doesn't help. But we have to show the character I know they have inside them"

One of Gateshead's new signings, Rochdale striker Jon Shaw, looks set to miss out with injury.

The improved Tynesiders have won four and drawn one of their last six home games.

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