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Archived News from February 2010

HOLDSWORTH, FOSTER AND DEAN SAUNDERS REACTION
7th February 2010 18:59



David Holdsworth and Luke Foster post match video interviews --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1953699,00.html?

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Holdsworth and Dean Saunders audio interviews from BBC Radio Nottm and BBC Radio Wales --->

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8485382.stm

Wrexham manager Dean Saunders told BBC Wales:

"I felt like walking home after conceding the equaliser because we'd worked on that in training.

"But the lads came back and Mangan scored a goal that you can't coach.

"I didn't think Christian Smith should have been sent off. I didn't think he touched anybody, but we're going to miss him for Saturday.

"I knew if we could get a goal scorer we'd shoot up the league.

"We've conceded very few goals. We're just not taking the chances.

"We've got the bit between our teeth now and are going in the right direction.

"If we win the next three games in front of us we're back in the promotion race."

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Stags boss slams referee following defeat at Wrexham
Evening Post

DAVID Holdsworth took a swipe at the match officials after seeing his Mansfield Town side go down 2-1 at Wrexham last night.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-boss-slams-referee-following-defeat-Wrexham/article-1798724-detail/article.html?

The Stags boss was pleased with the way his troops acquitted themselves at the Racecourse Ground, particularly in the second half.
But he felt Mansfield were on the wrong end of some crucial decisions from those in black.
"I can totally understand the players' disappointment. We dominated the second half – and they were at home," said Holdsworth.
"Our fans, who were magnificent, wanted to see us come here and have a go and we did that.
"If we hadn't, then I would have said what I needed to say, but the endeavour and work-rate was phenomenal. I can't ask any more.
"But the standard of refereeing, I just don't know. I went on to the pitch at the end to talk to the referee, and why shoudn't I?
"There were some ridiculous decisions. If the referee is going to book their player (Ashley Westwood) for elbowing Jake Speight, then he has to send him off. He and the linesmen were five yards away.
"And how we didn't get a penalty I do not know. Their keeper has not touched the ball when challenging Speight and the ball has not changed direction. All I ask for is parity."

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Foster: Stags failed to make aerial power count
Evening Post

SKIPPER Luke Foster was disappointed Mansfield Town did not make the most of their aerial power against Wrexham.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Foster-Stags-failed-make-aerial-power-count/article-1798720-detail/article.html?

The Stags have scored several goals from set pieces in their past two games against Chester and Forest Green, but they were unable to make the most of their dead ball situations at the Racecourse Ground.
They conceded the winning goal – scored by Andy Mangan – from a right-wing corner.
"I think it was a mixture of things why we didn't get anything out of the game," said Foster.
"You can't criticise our work-rate, but I think we lacked a bit of quality in the final third.
"We were not clinical enough and made the wrong decision a few times which allowed them to get back and defend. We are not happy with the goals we conceded, or how we conceded them, especially the second.
"If you look at the height and strength we have compared to them, we should have done better.
"We also had chances from headers, and on another night we might have scored from them."
Foster said there was immense disappointment in the dressing room after the game.
He said: "I'm absolutely gutted we haven't got anything out of the game. We weren't at the races in the first half, but in the second we were on top.
"At 1-1, I think they were there to be beaten, but we didn't make the most of our opportunities.
"Mazza (Alan Marriott) had pretty much nothing to do and he has still conceded two goals.
"We have Gateshead on Saturday and a massive game against Stevenage next Tuesday, so we have to prepare."

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Skipper and boss praise for troops in defeat
CHAD.co.uk, 02 February 2010, By John Lomas
STAGS skipper Luke Foster said he was gutted after a 2-1 defeat at Wrexham tonight when he felt the home side were there for the taking.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Skipper-and-boss-praise-for.6037001.jp

And boss David Holdsworth also praised his battling troops while having harsh words for referee Andrew Halliday.

Andy Mangan grabbed the close range winner from a corner after Jake Speight had cancelled out Wes Baynes' first half strike and FosterADVERTISEMENTsaid: "We are absolutely gutted as at 1-1 they were there for the beating and they would admit that.

"So it was disappointing to lose in the manner we did. Andy Mangan's reactions were quicker than the nearest man and it was the perfect finish for him as he is a poacher.

"We shouldn't concede from set pieces like that and our strikers didn't have that much time in their box. When you look at the size of the Wrexham players to ours, we had the strength, height and power.

"You can't question our commitment, work-rate and wanting to win, But we were lacking in a bit of quality in the final third and need to be more clinical. We made wrong decisions which gave them a better chance to defend."

Manager David Holdsworth added: "We were the better side but paid the price for a mistake that they capitalised on.

"We were on top in the second half but decisions by the official have cost us again and we feel very hard done by. There were some ridiculous decisions.

"One of their lads has been booked for an elbow on Jake Speight five yards from the referee and linesman, but if he is going to book him for an elbow then he should send him off. All I ask for is parity.

"I can't ask any more from my players. They were on the front foot tonight and magnificent, as were our fans.

"I don't expect us to concede goals like we did tonight, but when you need the ball to drop for you it dropped for them.

"We should have a penalty too. These are big moments in a game.

"At least we didn't lay down. The players worked very hard for this football club. We didn't get the result we wanted but the endeavour and work-rate were phenomenal."

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New skipper Foster aiming to lead Stags to promotion
Evening Post

NEW skipper Luke Foster today outlined his determination to lead Mansfield Town back into the Football League.
The central defender got the armband in only his second game – as the Stags ran out 4-1 winners at Forest Green at Saturday – and led the side at Wrexham on Tuesday night.
He is the sixth player to take on the role this season – after Gary Mills, Luke Jones, Scott Garner, Ryan Williams and Gary Silk – and is delighted at the responsibility.
Foster is looking to use his leadership qualities to good effect over the next three months.
The former Lincoln City man is targeting a top-five finish and a place for Mansfield back in the country's elite 92.
"It's absolutely amazing to be asked to be skipper. It is up there with the best moments in my career, especially as I have only just come in," said Foster.
"If I can keep hold of the captaincy, I would hope I can lead us into the top five by the end of the season.
"It would be even better being captain if we could get promoted back to the Football League.
"We have to start a run. It is a massive second half of the season for us. We have only just gone past the halfway point really and there are some big games to come.
"There are teams who will go on runs who you don't expect to and others that will drop points when you don't expect it.
"We just have to keep picking up the points consistently."
Mansfield's clash with Wrexham on Tuesday was their first of seven games during a busy month.
Foster knows it is a key point in the Stags' season.
He said: "February could be a make-or-break month for us, but it is a big month for all the clubs.
"We just have to make sure that by the end of February, as we start to close in on the end of the season, we are still in the mix.
"Consistency is important. We know we are not going to win every game, but if you can come away with a point, it helps.
"We have to make ourselves hard to beat, to try to build some momentum."

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