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Archived News from February 2010

STAGS SIGN ANDY NICHOLAS, PLUS PREVIEWS
12th February 2010 12:02


9th February 2010
Holdsworth captures left back
mansfieldtown.net
Defender Andy Nicholas has signed from Rotherham on loan until the end of the season.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1959032,00.html

The left-back was officially registered for us at 10.15am this morning.

The 26-year-old began his career at Liverpool before moving to Swindon where he made 141 league appearances before his release in 2008.

He signed for Rotherham in August of that year where his long throws became a vital weapon in the Millers' armoury.

Following Paul Heckingbottom's loan move to Gateshead, Nicholas will provide competition for Craig Armstrong in the left back position.

We have now used all eight loans available this season. Nicholas will wear squad number 18.

Manager David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net: "I am delighted to welcome Andy to our club for the remainder of the season and I know he is looking forward to pulling on a Mansfield jersey.

"He is a very strong and capable defender," he added.

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Stags sign full back on loan
Evening Post, February 09, 2010

MANSFIELD Town have moved to sign left back Andy Nicholas on loan from Rotherham United until the end of the season.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-sign-loan/article-1818562-detail/article.html?

The 26-year-old began his career at Liverpool before moving to Swindon where he made 141 league appearances before his release in 2008.
He signed for Rotherham in August of that year where his long throws became a vital weapon in the Millers' armoury.
Following Paul Heckingbottom's loan move to Gateshead, Nicholas will provide competition for Craig Armstrong in the left back position.
The Stags have now used all eight loans available this season. Nicholas will wear squad number 18.
Manager David Holdsworth said: "I am delighted to welcome Andy to our club for the remainder of the season and I know he is looking forward to pulling on a Mansfield jersey.
"He is a very strong and capable defender."

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Rotherham defender Andy Nicholas to join Mansfield Town
8th February 2010
Nicholas was signed by then Millers boss Mark Robins in 2008.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8504340.stm?

Rotherham United defender Andy Nicholas has joined Mansfield Town on loan for the rest of the season.

The deal will become effective from noon on Tuesday and Millers boss Ronnie Moore hopes the move will free some cash to strengthen his squad.

"We need to bring in another experienced centre-half in. We also need a midfield player and we need pace," Moore told BBC Radio Sheffield.

Former Swindon player Nicholas, 26, joined the Millers in August 2008.

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Nicholas joins Stags until end of season

By Duke Monday, 8th February 2010

Defender Andy Nicholas has joined Mansfield on loan for the rest of the season, as mentioned on our boards earlier.
http://www.rotherhamunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/nicholas_joins_stags_until_end_of_season_493352/index.shtml

BBC Radio Sheffield reports that 26 year old Nicholas, who joined the Millers in 2008, has moved to the Blue Square Premier side on loan until the end of the season with the deal coming into effect from noon tomorrow.

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EARLIER STORY:
Clare bombshell as he turns back on Stags
CHAD.co.uk, 08 January 2010, By John Lomas
Holdsworth: "I tried to get Andy Nicholas from Rotherham as he is a big centre half with a great throw-in, but we are not going to be able to afford him so I will look elsewhere."
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Full squad for Stevenage clash
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 08 Feb 2010
David Holdsworth has a full squad to choose from for tomorrow night's game with joint leaders Stevenage and insists that changes will be made.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1958896,00.html?

With no fresh injury concerns, the only absentee will be Andy Burgess who remains suspended. Kyle Nix will be in contention after returning to full training following ankle surgery.

Speaking from the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, the gaffer was under no illusion of the tall order facing his players to beat a side second in the division on goal difference and having not lost a home game in the league since December 2008.

"We are going to a team at the top of the table, no-one will give us a cat in hell's chance and we are expecting a tough encounter," he said.

"If there need to be any changes to the line up then they will be done in the correct manner."

"They did very well last season, are a strong side and know this division well.

"We are going away to a form side so we are aware of the fashion we have to approach it.

"We are in a tough league but expect to compete with these teams and will look to bouce back. We are expecting a battle but that's not a problem because I like games like that."

The Gaffer re-iterated his disappointment of losing 2-0 to Gateshead in front of over 7,000 home fans on Saturday but did not make any excuses for the performance.

He added: "I'm always upset to lose but on a Saturday. I thought the occasion got to some of our players and they did not play to their potential.

"I felt we let people down and I felt let down myself. Some of our most influential players didn't have any influence in the first 45 minutes.

"The emotion of the day maybe got to one or two of them but you have to enjoy playing in front of large crowds as that is why you go into football."

Despite the set back, Holdsworth added that there were many positives to be taken from the success of our pay what you want initiative - not least the number of children and future Stags fans who turned up.

"Everything was wonderful except the result. To play in front of a crowd like that is fantastic for a manager and certainly I would like to manage in front of 7,000 people every week.

"There were alot of Children there and you have to encourage the younger element. I spoke to the Chairman when I arrived at the club about the need to attract the younger generation."

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Stags vow to bounce back after Gateshead disappointment
CHAD.co.uk, 08 February 2010
By Stephen Thirkill
STAGS travel to high-flying Stevenage on Tuesday night looking to return to winning ways after the weekend defeat at home to Gateshead.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-vow-to-bounce-back.6052864.jp

Below-par Mansfield were suprisingly beaten 2-0 by the lowly North East outfit, despite being cheered on by a bumper crowd of more than 7,000 fans after the town came out in force to the back the club's Pay What You Like deal.

The defeat, only the second home loss under the reign of David Holdsworth, left many fans and Holdsworth bitterly upset by the performance.

"I am always upset by a defeat and I think that perhaps the occasion got to some of our players," said Holdsworth.

"The fans really came out to support the players and the club and some of my players did not fulfill their potential.

"It was an amazing gesture by the club and I loved managing in front of such a big crowd, but I feel that we let people down by the performance.

"The day passed us by on Saturday, but we have come a very long way in 14 months."

Stags, who are likely to be without Ollie Hotchkiss who limped off against Gateshead, will face a massive task against Stevenage, who are currently unbeaten at home this season.

The Hertfordshire side, who defeated Stags 3-2 earlier in the season after Kyle Perry's red card dramatically changed the game, were knocked off top spot at the weekend after losing to Tamworth.

But Holdsworth is confident his side will now roll their sleeves up and come out fighting as they look to maintain their spot in the play-off places.

Said Holdsworth: "We have now got to show our charachter against Stevenage and I have no doubt my players will want to do that.

"We are going to play a good team at the top and no one will give us a chance.

"We know what they are about and we have to respect the point that we have at the start of the game.

"We are good away this season and have won seven times already.

"They have some good players, we are in for a tough game and we have to manage the game correctly."

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Somner and Silk edging their bets to help Mansfield's cause
Evening Post, February 09, 2010

IT started out as a bit of fun but the casual bet struck between Matt Somner and good friend Gary Silk has yet to raise a smile for either player.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Somner-Silk-edging-bets-help-Mansfield-s-cause/article-1814507-detail/article.html?

The Mansfield Town duo share plenty of positive characteristics out on the field that has won praise from boss David Holdsworth, not least their strength in the tackle, determination and positional awareness.
Unfortunately, they also share the less enviable trait of struggling to find the back of the net.
Both men have scored just once for the Stags since signing on the same day from Notts County in the summer of 2008.
Somner bagged his in a 3-1 win over Eastbourne Borough early last season while Silk struck a week later in a 2-1 defeat at Crawley.
How either of them would love to have the potency of a Rob Duffy or Jake Speight in front of goal after they struck a 2009-2010 close season wager.
The winner, they agreed, would be the one who got to five goals first. If it was meant to inspire the pair to new heights, it hasn't quite had the desired effect, with neither yet off the mark.
At least midfielder Somner can still laugh about it.
"I always get a lot of stick about not being able to score from the gaffer and Holmes (Gareth Holmes) in training," he said.
"I do like to have a shot when I get the chance and I have had quite a few efforts this season. But they always seem to end up going over the bar!
"Silky and I had a little bet with each other at the start of the season to see who would get the most goals because neither of us are known for scoring.
"We said whoever got to five first would win, but it's fair to say it's just not happening at the minute.
"I know I'm more of a defensive midfielder and that's really my job but it would have been nice to have one by now.
"I'm hoping there is one just around the corner and I can get at least one before the end of the season. That might still be enough to beat Silky!"
But tonight's game at Stevenage Borough is no laughing matter for Mansfield as they look to bounce back from the dismal 2-0 home defeat to Gateshead at the weekend.
The Hertfordshire side are joint top of the Blue Square Premier table and are the only side to have won at Field Mill this season. They came from 2-0 down, at which point the Stags had Kyle Perry sent off, to claim a 3-2 victory.
Not only that, but Graham Westley's men are still unbeaten at their own Broadhall Way Stadium this season and are looking to recover from their unexpected defeat to Tamworth at the weekend.
Somner said: "We have massive motivation against them after what happened at our ground.
"People say that turned their season around, but I think they would have done that anyway.
"We were doing fantastically well against them before the red card in that game because we were 2-0 up and had two good chances to put the game out of sight."
Last season, Stevenage reached the play-offs and won the FA Trophy with a big contribution from top scorer Steve Morison.
He has since moved on to League One Millwall, yet his former club have retained their strong form, if not done even better.
"It doesn't surprise me how well they have done even without Morison because they are always up there," said Somner.
"They have a good manager and he always gets the squad in the right shape with some very strong players. You can't rely on just one player and they have shown that."
Waiting to face his old club again is Derby-born Chris Beardsley, who has twice been on Mansfield's books.
He netted the first of Stevenage's three goals in north Notts in September and will be out to prove a point once more.
Somner said: "We are confident we can compete with them and we believe we can be the first team to win there this season."
Don't put you money on Somner scoring the winner, but a victory really would be massive for Mansfield.

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Boro v Mansfield preview
09 February 2010
Boro v Mansfield Town preview
http://www.thecomet.net/content/comet/sport/boro/story.aspx?brand=CMTOnline&category=SportBoro&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=SportBoro&itemid=WEED09+Feb+2010+09%3A48%3A42%3A073
Tuesday, February 9 - 7.45pm

The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage

BORO host Mansfield Town tonight hoping to get back to winning ways after a surprise defeat at Tamworth at the weekend.

A Chris Smith goal won all three points for the Lambs and in doing so knocked Boro off top spot in the Blue Square Premier where they were replaced by Oxford United.

With the Us facing a trip to Luton Town while Boro entertain the Stags Graham Westley's men will be hoping their neighbours can do them a favour.

Boro will hope Fortress Lamex will come to their salvation - they have not lost at home in the league since a defeat to Wrexham November 2008 - but they will be without Ronnie Henry and Darren Murphy who are both suspended after the pair received their marching orders against Tamworth.

Mark Albrighton could be drafted in to replace Henry with Joel Byrom a likely starter in place of Murphy.

Mansfield are fourth in the Blue Square Premier but have suffered a stop-start beginning to the New Year having won two games and lost three.

The Stags' preparation for their trip to Stevenage will not have been helped after they suffered possibly their most disappointing result of the season in front of almost 7,000 fans when they lost 2-0 at home to Gateshead on Saturday.

Mansfield are likely to be without striker Blair Sturrock who has a neck injury while midfielder Andy Burgess is suspended.

Previous meetings

Boro travelled to Mansfield on September 12 and came away with a 3-2 win. The hosts took a 2-0 lead through Kyle Perry's brace - Perry was then sent off for a boot to Lee Boylan's face - and Chris Beardsley pulled a goal back in first half injury time before Yemi Odubade equalised on 59 minutes and Charlie Griffin got the winner with 20 minutes to go.

Last season Boro beat Mansfield 3-2 at home before losing 2-1 away on the last day of the season before the play-offs.

Who to watch out for

Former Boro player Gary Mills is having a tough time of things at Mansfield this season and he has been made available for loan by Mansfield boss David Holdsworth after struggling to make an impact in the Stags' first team.

Mansfield have plenty of players who can score goals, however, with Perry, Rob Duffy and Jake Speight all hitting double figures in all competitions this season.

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Winger WIlliams apologises for below-par display
CHAD.co.uk
08 February 2010
By Stephen Thirkill
WINGER Ryan Williams has apologised to the fans who turned out in force to witness Mansfield's below-par defeat against lowly Gateshead.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Winger-WIlliams-apologises-for-belowpar.6053083.jp

More than 7,000 expactant fans packed into Field Mill leading to the kick off being delayed by 20 minutes.

But instead of cheering Stags on to three points they were left bitterly disappointed by the poor performance.

Speaking after the game Williams said: "It was unbelievable seeing so many people in the ground and I want to say sorry to the supporters for our performance. We know it was not good enough.

"All I would say is stick with us. We know we did not perform and we have to put that right.

"We all want to play in front of big crowds and run out to a full ground every week.

"There was more pressure, but that is what we are paid for and we needed to do better than what we did.

"We just wasn't at the races on Saturday. Defeat's like this ruin your weekend as fans and players and we have to take it on the chin now."

Williams now hopes Stags can put things right by becoming the first team to win at Stevenage in the Blue Square Premier League this season.

Added Williams: "We will go there in confident mood. It is important we come out of the traps fast and get in their faces and see how they cope with that.

"Stevenage have done well this season and are a good side, but we know we can beat these sides. We now have to put a performance on."

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