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Archived News from January 2010

MILLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN / OTHER NEWS
31st January 2010 22:34


Sturrock out for three weeks with injured neck. Jon Shaw also misses FGR trip

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Stags pair miss Forest Green trip
CHAD.co.uk, 28 January 2010, By John Lomas
JON Shaw and Blair Sturrock will miss Saturday's trip to Forest Green Rovers (3pm).

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-pair-miss-Forest-Green.6024393.jp

But Kyle Nix, who yesterday came through 45 minutes of reserve football following an ankle injury, will travel with the squad and could yet find himself on the bench.

Shaw has not quite recovered from a slight hanstring strain while Sturrock has suffered a neck injury at home.

"Jon is progressing well but we won't rush him and I think he may be more likely for Tuesday's game at Wrexham," said manager David Holdsworth.

"Blair has suffered a freak injury at home, twisting his neck as he was getting out of the shower. He is seeing a chiropractor and will be out for a couple of weeks."

However, Nix is back in the fold after his appearance in yesterday's 6-2 reserve friendly defeat by Chesterfield and Holdsworth added: "It was a good work-out for the lads.

"They needed a competitive edge rather than plodding in training and it was a good game against a very strong Chesterfield squad."

Stags owe Rovers one after Forest Green won their FA Cup first round replay at Field Mill with a late goal in November.

Rovers have won four and drawn one of their last six BSP outings as they battle to stay out of the drop zone and Holdsworth said: "They score goals and are very fluent but seem to be having to compromise their defensive beliefs with their attacking.

"They are scoring but also conceding and need a balance which must be frustrating for David (manager Hockaday).

"The boy Platt (Conal) is a good player as is Tomi Ameobe who did us a good job here at the right time last season.

"Their midfield is also a good attacking force. I played with Isaiah Rankin at Birmingham and he is certainly very capable too.

"We must make sure we deal with their diamond in midfield."

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David Holdsworth video interview: Luke Foster is candidate for captain --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1947518,00.html

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Collett back for second trial
CHAD.co.uk, 28 January 2010
FORMER Coventry City Academy goalkeeper Neil Collett returns to Field Mill for a second spell on trial tomorrow.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Collett-back-for-second-trial.6023353.jp

The youngster did not win a contract during his brief spell at Field Mill in the summer and moved on to play for Nuneaton Town in the Zamaretto Premier Division.

He has been back training with Coventry in recent weeks as well as working with the England C coaching staff.

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Mills can go out on loan
CHAD.co.uk, 28 January 2010, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD Town captain Gary Mills has been told he can go out on loan.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Mills-can-go-out-on.6023371.jp

Mills has struggled to get a regular place in the side after injury and suspension and has not started a game since the FA Cup exit against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday, 17th November.

Since then he has been out in the cold with Matt Somner, Ollie Hotchkiss and Jon Challinor keeping him down the pecking order.

"We have had a chat and feel it's the right thing to do to let Gary go out on loan and have circulated his names to other clubs," said manager David Holdsworth.

"Gary has been very mature about things and acted correctly. He is a very able player but we have a fairly settled midfield right now and if he can get the opportunity to play some first team football we will grant him that.

"He has worked very hard in training and looks in good condition."

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CHAD.co.uk, 27 Jan 2010
Arch-rivals Chesterfield inflicted a painful 6-2 defeat on Stags in a reserve friendly this afternoon. But Kyle Nix began to shake off the rust after injury as he came through the second half as an interval substutute. However, Blair Sturrock withdrew at the last minute after hurting his neck at home and will now be out for up to three weeks. Mansfield trailed 3-0 before Stevie Istead pulled one back. The Spireites then added two more before Kyle Perry made it 5-2. Stags' starting XI was Sandercombe, Gardner, Garner, Brough, Ludlam, Mills, Istead, Challinor, Higginson, Perry, Ryan.

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Mills available for loan
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 27 Jan 2010
Boss David Holdsworth has made midfielder Gary Mills available for loan.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1946701,00.html?

The 28 year old midfielder has been out of the team since late October and manager David Holdsworth believes a prospective loan move will be beneficial to both he and the club.

"First team chances have been limited for Gary recently and I feel a loan deal would be good for both parties," the manager told http://www.mansfieldtown.net

"Gary has trained hard even though he has been out of the team. He has acted in a professional manner."

Mills, who was named team captain after his signing last summer, boasts of three Championship medals in the last ten years, He was also part of the Stevenage team which claimed the FA Trophy last season.

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Nix plays 45 minutes in friendly
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 27 Jan 2010
Kyle Nix was in match action for the first time in over three months, as he played 45 minutes in today's friendly match against Chesterfield.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1946604,00.html?

The midfielder has been sidelined since early October through an ankle injury, but returned to play a part in both of our goals, as we fell to a 6-2 loss.

At 3-0 behind, Nix crossed for Perry who was upended inside the penalty area. The burly striker reduced the arrears from 12 yards with a cool finish.

Nix then started the move for the second goal after Chesterfield bagged two more to increase their lead to 5-1.

Perry, receiving the ball from Nix on the touchline, swung the ball into Steven Istead who blasted it home to pull a goal back.

Meanwhile, Blair Sturrock missed out and will be out for up to three weeks having injured his neck.

Manager David Holdsworth said: "It was a good work out for our players and very positive to see Kyle Nix get 45 minutes."

Line up: Sandercombe, Gardner, Garner, Brough, Ludlam, Mills, Istead, Challinor, Higginson, Perry, Ryan.

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Speight wants Stags striker berth
Evening Post, January 28, 2010

JAKE Speight is determined to secure a regular starting berth at Mansfield Town – as a striker.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Speight-wants-Stags-striker-berth/article-1764472-detail/article.html?

The diminutive former Droylsden man has often been used on the right flank when he hasn't been confined to the substitutes' bench.
His appearances as an out-and-out front man have been fleeting this season as boss David Holdsworth has preferred to pair Rob Duffy and Kyle Perry.
But there is no doubting Speight's eye for a goal and scored the final goal in Stags' 4-0 win over Chester.
And the ex-Sheffield United trainee believes he can quickly add to his eight-goal tally this season if he gets to feature regularly in his favourite position having returned from a knee injury,
"I really enjoyed playing in the game against Chester, especially because I was starting and up front," said Speight.
"I'm hoping if I can carry on putting in performances like that, then I will stay there.
"It would be nice to get a few games together up front.
"I went through a few things in training with Duffers and we managed to carry them into the Chester game and get them to work.
"Duffers is good to play with and though he didn't get on the scoresheet, he did a lot of work on Saturday and deserved one.
"It would be great to continue that partnership, but there is plenty of competition with Kyle Perry and Jon Shaw."
Speight, 24, has figured in all three games Mansfield have already played against Saturday's opponents Forest Green this season.
He came on as a substitute in the Stags' 1-0 league win at Field Mill in October and started both FA Cup games in November that saw Mansfield go out after losing a replay 2-1.
Speight said: "We go down there owing them one for the cup defeat. We didn't do ourselves justice in either of the cup games."

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Holdsworth video interview, 27 Jan 2010 --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~1946121,00.html

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Holdsworth: We have learnt from FA Cup defeat
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 27 Jan 2010
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Forest Green Rovers, David Holdsworth has said that there will be no underestimation of our opponents.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1946161,00.html?

With the pain of our 2-1 FA Cup First Round defeat at the hands of the Gloucestershire outfit still fresh in the memory following an injury time goal from Conal Platt, the Gaffer feels his players will have learnt some important lessons from that November night.

"That was obviously a bitter pill to swallow - to lose in the last minute," he said.

"It was a game of two halves and we battered Forest Green in the second half without managing to get a second goal.

"Hopefully we might have learnt from that experience and we will not underestimate Forest Green as their manager (Dave Hockaday) has gone in there and done a solid job.

"They're scoring goals at the moment so we need to be on our mettle."

He added that the squad would be better equipped now to secure victory at the New Lawn following his dealings in the January transfer window. In particular the new signing of Luke Foster and his fledging partnership with Luke Jones in central defence.

"They (the players) will certainly be a bit wiser now and you would like to think that the inclusion of Foster has given us some more strength at the back.

"That's (Jones' and Foster's partnership) in its early stages and its down to both gentlemen to maintain their form and their ability to remain rock solid.

"With the capture of Luke Foster, we've brought in a man who has played over 100 odd games in this league and has been in a winning side."

Finally, after losing three of our last four away games in the Blue Square Premier, Holdsworth knows exactly what is needed to start registering more wins on the road.

"Being organised, resolute and having composure in the final third when you're getting opportunities to capitalise on a chance.

"Your top two sides (Oxford and Stevenage) are very strong and are not looking to play glamorous football. They are just looking to come away with a clean sheet."

In other news, we will be playing Chesterfield in a practice match at midday today to give fringe players some match practice and allow the manager to look at members of the youth team.

Expected line up: Sandercombe, Gardner, Garner, Brough, Heckingbottom, Mills, Istead, Challinor, Sturrock, Perry, Ryan.

Subs: Kyle Nix, Rob Ludlam, Harrison Griffiths, Adam Burton.

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CHAD.co.uk, Wednesday, 27th January

Kyle Nix will get his first taste of action since October this afternoon when he comes off the bench in Stags' rearranged reserve team friendly with Chesterfield. Stags will field a powerful side comprising Sandercombe, Gardner, Garner, Brough, Heckingbottom, Mills, Istead, Challinor, Sturrock, Perry, Ryan. Youngster Griffiths, Burton and Ludlam join Nix on the bench for the game, which was originally due to have been played yesterday.

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Holdsworth thanks Stags fans for backing
Evening Post, January 27, 2010

DAVID Holdsworth today heaped praise on Mansfield Town's 'caring' supporters saying: "Your support is absolutely tremendous.'

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Holdsworth-thanks-Stags-fans-backing/article-1761875-detail/article.html?

The Field Mill boss has been touched by the efforts of the Stags Supporters Association (SSA) who have raised £5,000 towards the cost of Luke Foster's transfer from Oxford United.
He feels the fans are making a real difference to the Blue Square Premier promotion push.
And he vowed that their backing would never be taken for granted while he is at the helm.
"Since I have been in charge, I have found the SSA very approachable and they have worked very closely with the club," said Holdsworth.
"They have understood the ethos that the chairman and myself have brought in and we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us.
"This donation is outstanding and they and the rest of the fans deserve our massive thanks.
"It is that kind of positivity and caring that can make a big difference and we can't build up the club without it.
"Too many times clubs don't appreciate their supporters, but I can assure the fans that the chairman, myself, the players and the staff do."
After Saturday's 4-0 win over Chester – Foster's debut – Holdsworth is now looking for Mansfield to rediscover their defensive solidity on the road.
The Stags have lost their last two away games at clubs chasing promotion – 3-0 at York and 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon – ahead of Saturday's visit to Forest Green.
He said: "We have had success on the road using certain formats. The disciplined performances in the wins at Crawley (2-0) and Gateshead (3-1) were wonderful and we have to look for that kind of focus."
Kyle Nix will continue his comeback from ankle surgery in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Chesterfield today. Striker John Shaw (hamstring) will not be risked, but may be back for Forest Green.

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Nix: Oxford game set benchmark for Stags
Evening Post, January 26, 2010

RETURNING midfielder Kyle Nix believes Mansfield Town should aspire to play like they did against Oxford United week in, week out.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Nix-Oxford-game-set-benchmark-Stags/article-1751971-detail/article.html?

The Stags produced arguably their best performance of the season back in September to win 2-1 and inflict a first defeat of the season on the Us.
Mansfield's form has been mixed since then as they battle for a Blue Square Premier play-off place.
But Nix – who could be back in contention for the first time in nearly fourth months at Forest Green at the weekend following ankle surgery – says the Oxford game set the standard for him and the team.
"It was in the Oxford game when it really clicked because we beat, arguably, the best team in the league and we were the first team to do it," said Nix.
"That is the level that I and the rest of the squad are now looking to achieve in the rest of the season because we have shown we can do it, we know we can play.
"You can't play like that every week but we have to try to emulate it as much as we can."
Nix is targeting a play-off spot for Mansfield, but has not given up on the automatic spots.
And he knows he may have to be patient to regain his place in the side.
He said: "If we are still in there at the end of the season, it is going to be interesting.
"This is the most important part of the season – what has happened before has now gone.
"With the squad we have got, and people coming back, we should be confident.
"I don't expect to walk straight back into the team – I know I will have to work for my place. But I will be doing that. I will be training hard."

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