{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from January 2011

MURRAY, DAY SIGN , CHRIS SMITH LEAVES + PREVIEWS
11th January 2011 11:47


Eastbourne game team news:
mansfieldtown.net:
In team news, there are doubts over the fitness of Adam Smith (groin) and Rhys Day (knee) who may join long-term absentee Alan Marriott on the sidelines. Steve Cook will sit out of the game as he undergoes a scan on his ankle but other than that Russ looks set to have a fully fit squad to choose from.

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

Murray completes permanent switch
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 05 Jan 2011
Midfielder Adam Murray has completed his permanent switch to Field Mill from Luton Town, signing until June 2012.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2255559,00.html

The 29-year-old, who re-joined us for a third stint in October, has chalked up over 300 appearances in a career spanning ten years.

Speaking to mansfieldtown.net, Murray said :"I am over the moon to have finally sorted this deal and I want to give everything to ensure this club is back where it belongs.

"The club is in good hands now, from top to bottom and is a great place to be at the minute.

"This is a fantastic club and we have a magnificent bunch of lads. I am privileged to be part of what this club is trying to achieve."

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

Day pens new deal
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 06 Jan 2011

Defender Rhys Day has signed a deal keeping him at Field Mill until June 2012, we are delighted to announce.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2258701,00.html?

The 28-year-old made his return to Mansfield in a loan deal from Oxford in October having last played for us in 2006.

The commanding central defender had failed to break into Oxford's first team this season following their return to the Football League but played an integral part in their promotion from the BSBP last term.

The former Manchester City trainee has made seven appearances for us so far this season and is now one of the first names to appear on manager Duncan Russell's teamsheet.

Speaking to mansfieldtown.net, Day said: "It's taken a few days longer than I thought it would but it's done now and we can crack on with getting the results we need to.

"I'm buzzing. It's seven years since I put pen to paper the first time and now I am back again.

"This is a club geared for success, wants success all round and it's about time we got some."

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

VIDEO: Rhys Day - We have enough to succeed --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2259056,00.html?

mansfieldtown.net, Thu 06 Jan 2011
Team captain Rhys Day speaks exclusively to mansfieldtown.net following his permanent signing.

The 28-year-old central defender has put pen to paper on a deal keeping him at Field Mill until June 2012 following the success of his three month loan from Oxford.

The former Manchester City trainee, who made almost 100 appearances for us in a previous spell between 2003 and 2006, was clearly delighted with his new contract and said: "It's taken a few days longer than I thought it would but its done now and we can crack on with getting the results we need to.

Rhys Day is in conversation with our Head of Media & Communications Mark Stevenson

"I'm buzzing. Its seven years since I put pen to paper the first time and now I am back again.

"This is a club geared for success, wants success all round and it's about time we got some.

"I think it's a great place and I've got a lot of friends here. I like the place and I think it's got a lot going for it.

"I like being at Mansfield and long may it continue."

The Welshman, who played a large part in Oxford's successful promotion campaign in the BSBP last season, says that supporters can expect improved performances now that he has has the security of a permanent deal. He added that the whole team could benefit once the uncertainty of the January transfer window has passed.

"This is a time now when things need tying up," he added.

"The Gaffer needs to pick the players he wants here and players he does not - then we can crack on and do what needs doing.

"Now that I know that the deal is done and my future is secure for the next 18 months, I can look forward to doing my stuff and playing well.

"Showing commitment to the players they want here like they did with me and Muzza (Adam Murray) will give the team more stability, more confidence and I think that's what we need to start churning out performances.

"The sooner we do that and know where we are going, the better."

Finally, Day believes that his signing may herald the start of a winning run which will see us climb the division. He added that that squad is fully united in its will to succeed.

"I know that if he (Russ) is going to have my back then I will have his. If we stick together and act as one unit then it is all for the better and if we all do that then we will get the success we need.

"I know we have enough in the squad, the backroom staff and in the stands to succeed.

"We need to start winning games which will happen because we have the ability and it will breed confidence.

"When we get that winning mentality, it will not stop."

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

Defender Day: Why I've re-joined Mansfield Town
Evening Post, Thu 06 Jan 2011

RHYS Day today signed a deal to keep him at Mansfield until the end of next season then vowed: "I'll help this club get back to where it belongs."

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Defender-Day-ve-joined-Mansfield-Town/article-3069656-detail/article.html?

The central defender has rejoined the club permanently following a loan spell from Oxford, having previously served the club with distinction between 2002 and 2006.

Now the Welshman wants to captain the Stags back into the Football League, as he did during spells at Aldershot and Oxford.

Day, 28, said: "I think this club is geared for success and that's one of the main reasons I wanted to come back; I never really wanted to leave in the first place. To have someone like John Radford behind the club makes for very exciting times, with the prospect of new players coming in.

"I was skipper when Aldershot went back into the league and I was captain last season for Oxford at times too,

"There is nothing I would like more than to do it for a third time at Mansfield."

A Stags side won 3-2 in a friendly at Chesterfield with Keigan Parker (2) and Tom Naylor netting.

Mansfield have tied up the formalities with Luton to secure the services of Adam Murray permanently, while Chris Smith has moved to York.

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

It's down to us - Murray
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 06 Jan 2011
Midfielder Adam Murray hopes to mark the signing of his new contract with a win over Eastbourne on Saturday.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2259923,00.html?

The 29-year-old put pen to paper on an 18 month permanent deal earlier this week following a three month loan from Luton.

Murray, who made nearly 50 appearances for us during two previous spells in 2002 and 2004, has enjoyed his second return to Field Mill despite several off-the-field events occurring including fixture postponements, the appointment of a new manager and our dispute with landlord Keith Haslam.

Pleased to have tied himself to us until June 2012, Murray paid tribute to manager Duncan Russell and said: "I'm delighted to be here permanently and I just want to get on with the job now of taking this club forward.

"It's been eventful (so far) but we have to look forward now. Everything looks bright, we just have to start getting some points.

"He (Russ) has been brilliant to be honest. Obviously he was here with our ex-gaffer so we know what he's about but he has also put his own stamp on things.

"He has a lot of experience so he has been good for us."

After the disappointment of two consecutive defeats, Murray said that the whole playing squad are united in their desire to improve current form and climb into the play off positions. In a message to supporters, he said that the team will be giving it their all to emerge from Priory Lane this weekend with all three points.

He added: "It's only us that can make it right. We know where this club should be and where it wants to be and it's only us that can get it there.

"We have got to go there (Eastbourne) and give it more than 100% as we need to get the win."

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

Stags skipper Day out to lift his team-mates ahead of Eastbourne trip
Evening Post, 7 Jan 2010

A WEEK ago, Mansfield Town and their fans would have gone into a trip to Eastbourne with confidence high.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-skipper-Day-lift-team-mates-ahead-Eastbourne-trip/article-3074127-detail/article.html?

Back then, the Stags were just coming off their most emphatic away victory over the season, a 5-1 success at Cambridge United, an encouraging way to start the Duncan Russell era following his permanent appointment.

Coupled with the fact the Stags have triumphed on their last two visits to Priory Lane – both by 2-1 – it would have made a trip to the Sussex coast an appetising prospect.

Events since the turn of the year, however, have thrown an altogether different spin on things.

First came an embarrassing 7-2 drubbing at Grimsby that could have been more.

Perhaps even worse, though, was the 1-0 home defeat to Altrincham that followed on Bank Holiday Monday, a match they were thoroughly expected to win.

Not only had the Robins failed to win in their previous six attempts, but they were rooted to the bottom of the table and had been on the wrong end of a 4-0 hammering by rampant Mansfield back in August.

All that counted for little as Damien Reeves' stooping header just before the hour mark was enough to settle the issue in the visitors' favour.

Those two results together mean that even though Eastbourne themselves are in a trough of form, having lost their previous five league matches, Mansfield will be altogether less bullish about their chances than might have been the case.

Even so, skipper Rhys Day believes Mansfield should not be too downbeat. He said: "It may be that our confidence has taken a slight knock, but we have to rise above that and show we want to put what has happened in the last two games behind us.

"Grimsby is the first time I have let through seven and it was devastating. I didn't feel like speaking to anyone for a couple of days.

"It was one of those occasions that was horrible for the players, the fans, the chairman and the manager and something we don't want to experience again in a hurry.

"Against Altrincham, I thought we played a lot better but we just didn't stick our chances away.

"But the minds have definitely been focused now and I will be doing my best to stress to the lads that we need to stay positive."

The knee-jerk reaction from supporters to the back-to-back defeats to Grimsby and Altrincham has been a call for change in personnel.

Day said: "All I know is that I will be giving 100 per cent in bidding to help get the club on a decent run. Five or six games unbeaten and we will be right back in the play-off picture."

Day is delighted to have his own future settled after spending an initial three months at Field Mill on loan.

"Now I have my future sorted I only need have one thing on my mind – and that's doing well for this club," he said.

"There's definitely more to come from me and hopefully the fans will see that."

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

Russell must decide between youth and experience for Mansfield
Evening Post, 7 Jan 2010

DUNCAN Russell must choose between youth and experience to help marshal his Mansfield Town defence at Eastbourne Borough tomorrow.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Russell-decide-youth-experience-Mansfield/article-3074158-detail/article.html?

The Stags will be without Steve Cook, who has been sent for a scan on an ankle injury he sustained against Altrincham.

And with Simon Grand still in negotiations with the Stags following the expiry of his loan deal from Fleetwood, he is unlikely to travel south with the rest of the team today.

Rhys Day has a knee niggle but is expected to be fit, leaving Tom Naylor and Steve Foster vying to play alongside him.

Both played in Wednesday's 3-2 friendly win over Chesterfield.

"We have plenty of options even though a couple of the lads are unavailable," said Russell.

"Gary Silk and Kevin Sandwith have both played in the middle before

"But I like to play genuine central defenders there and I would have no qualms about throwing either Nails or Foz in at Eastbourne.

"Both of them did very well against Chesterfield, as did Ryan Williams and Ashley Cain.

"There are definitely going to be changes. Sometimes you need to freshen things up and you also need to give everyone in the squad their chance."

Russell is well aware Mansfield's defensive record is not the best, even though they rarely have problems scoring.

The Stags have already shipped 37 goals in 24 games and believes set-pieces are their biggest problem.

Russell said: "If you look at the goals we have conceded, a good number have come from corners and free-kicks.

"I think sometimes we are naive in letting people get a run on their markers."

Russell admits Peter Vincenti, who has been suffering with a virus, is unlikely to stay at the club when his loan spell from Stevenage ends.

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

Spotlight on Eastbourne Borough v Mansfield Town
Evening Post, 7 Jan 2010

Line-up (from): Banks, Nelson, Baker, Austin, Elphick, Jenkins, Norwood, Smart, Strevett, M. Crabb, Taylor, Walker, N. Crabb, Brinkhurst, Barton, Weatherstone, Johnson.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Spotlight-Eastbourne-Borough-v-Mansfield-Town/article-3074128-detail/article.html?

Mansfield (from): Pilkington, Collett, Silk, Cook, Day, Foster, Naylor, Sandwith, Stonehouse, Briscoe, Istead, Mills, Thompson, Murray, Smith, Duffy, Connor, Parker, Medley, Mitchley.

Team news: Eastbourne hope skipper Ben Austin (groin) and top scorer Jamie Taylor (flu) will return to their side after missing Monday's 2-0 home defeat to Cambridge.

Former Stag Richard Pacquette serves the second match of a two-game ban while Ross Trealeaven (hamstring), Matt Langston (knee) and recent signing Eddie Hutchinson (hamstring) are all out. James Norwood (Exeter) and Dan Walker (Luton) have been drafted in on loan.

Team news: Mansfield's Steve Cook (ankle) is likely to miss the club he spent a spell on loan at earlier in the season.

Adam Smith (groin) is also a major doubt while Rhys Day (knee) is struggling.

One two watch: Jamie Taylor.

Borough's top scorer with eight goals has been a bright spark in a disappointing season for the Sports.

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

Smith completes York move
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 05 Jan 2011

Centre half Chris Smith has completed his permanent move to BSBP rivals York City.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2258672,00.html?

The 29-year-old initially joined his former club on loan in October after playing under York boss Gary Mills at Tamworth last season.

The former Leeds and Reading trainee made 15 appearances and scored one goal in the amber and blue following his arrival in the summer and we wish him all the best for the future.

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

Pilkington wants to stay at Stags
dunstabletoday.co.uk, Thu 06th January 2011

Hatters keeper Kevin Pilkington has admitted he would like to stay at Mansfield Town for the rest of the season, writes Mike Simmonds.

http://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/sport/football/local-football/pilkington_wants_to_stay_at_stags_1_2228768

The 36-year-old moved to Field Mill back in October and has played nine times since joining. He has endured a tough start to 2011 though, as the Stags were humbled 7-2 by Grimsby Town and then lost 1-0 at home to Altrincham.

Pilkington's loan runs out on January 29, but with first team football unlikely at Kenilworth Road, he is hopeful of sticking around longer. He said: “I have never been in a situation like I experienced at Grimsby before but apart from the last couple of games, it's been good to be back at Mansfield. I want to be playing games – and I have been doing. It would be nice to be here for the rest of the season, if that can be agreed, but obviously Luton will have a fair degree of say in that.”

Mansfield boss Duncan Russell added: “It is not ideal to only have Kevin on these terms and means I realistically still have to look at another keeper.”

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

Stags beat Spireites in friendly
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 05 Jan 2011

Ryan Williams and Keigan Parker shone as we triumphed 3-2 in a friendly game with Chesterfield at the B2net Stadium this afternoon.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2259072,00.html?

A brace from Parker and a goal from Tom Naylor was enough to overcome a Chesterfield XI in a match which saw the majority of the first team squad get a run out.

Assistant manager Paul Hall was thrilled with the result and told mansfieldtown.net: "It was brilliant - a great response after the disappointment of our last game and losing to Altrincham.

"It was refreshing to see how confident the boys looked in that situation. Ryan Williams and Keigan Parker stood out in particular but everybody did well."

Starting XI: Collett, Silk, Naylor, Foster, Stonehouse, Cain, Thompson, Nix, Medley, Mitchley, Parker

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


 

Latest | January 2011