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Archived News from December 2011

DEMPSTER AND CHRIS SMITH SUSPENDED
31st December 2011 10:45


The Stags' John Dempster and York's former Stag Chris Smith will both be suspended from the game on New Years Day.

Full details at
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/~/link.aspx?_id=D6CA03B6740C4E78A1E74E2493E9199B&_z=z

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Spotlight on York City v Mansfield Town
Nottingham Post, Friday, December 30, 2011

York (from): Ingham, Oyebanjo, Parslow, McGurk, Meredith, Smith, Kerr, McLaughlin, Blair, Ashikodi, Chambers, Henderson, Boucaud, Challinor, Pilkington, Moke, Fyfield, Potts, Kerr, Reed.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14278510-detail/story.html

Mansfield (from): Marriott, Redmond, O'Neill, Dempster, Riley, Day, Sutton, Freeman, Kendrick, Briscoe, Murray, Howell, Stevenson, Verma, Worthington, Bolland, Meikle, Kelly, Green, Dyer.

Team news: York's top scorer Jason Walker is definitely out with a groin injury that he may need to rest for two to three weeks.

Mansfield striker Matt Green came off in Boxing Day's 1-1 draw between the sides with a dead leg but it is hoped he will be fit.

Ritchie Sutton returns for the Stags having served a one-game ban for his sending off at Southport.

One to watch: James Meredith. The flying left back enjoyed an excellent game at Field Mill and is sure to pose the Stags a threat once more down that flank.

Manager: Gary Mills. The former Nottingham Forest and Notts County player has guided the Minstermen to only two defeats in their last 17 games. in all competitions

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Stags chase striker ahead of York return
chad.co.uk, Thursday 29 December 2011

STAGS head to York City for their return game on New Year's Day with a new striker top of the transfer window shopping list.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_chase_striker_ahead_of_york_return_1_4100115

Failing to take their chances is costing Stags heavily – they have now won only once in 11 games – and only 15-goal Matt Green has been able to find the net regularly.

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out we need forwards that can score goals,” said manager Paul Cox.

“That's not being detrimental to Matt Green and Ross Dyer, but sometimes we rely on them too much.

“I can't say 100 per cent we will be able to get one in for the York game. We are speaking to people and taking it day by day. If we can't get one in for York then we will try to sort it before the Forest Green match. We won't just sign anyone – they have to be the right players.”

Stags and York do battle again just six days after the 1-1 Boxing Day draw and Cox added: “I think York paid us a compliment when they changed their system around to play us on Monday.

“But I think they will use a more orthadox system against us at home. We know what we have to do. We need to start putting more wins on the board.”

Defender Ritchie Sutton returns from a one game ban but faces a battle for his shirt as Martin Riley played well in his absence against the Minstermen.

Injured trio Matt Green, Joe Kendrick and Rhys Day plus Luke O'Neill (virus) are all expected to be fit for selection but injured defender John Thompson (shoulder/neck) is still sidelined

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Goal-getter is priority for Stags boss in January
Nottingham Post, Friday, December 30, 2011

CHRISTMAS may be over, but Mansfield Town's Paul Cox is hoping his best present is still to come.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14278579-detail/story.html

In real terms, the Stags boss is likely to have been given some new socks, pullover or a bottle of wine.

But what he has really desired over the festive period looking towards the January transfer window is that most precious commodity in football – a proven goalscorer.

It's true that Mansfield's goal tally of 38 from their 25 games so far is no disgrace. Only a handful of teams have scored more.

But Cox knows that most of the teams that have been more prolific are those above them in the Blue Square Bet Premier table.

And it is those extra strikes, scored at crucial times in games, which have been the difference between the likes of Fleetwood, York and Luton being in the play-off places and Mansfield, who are ninth.

"Everyone I speak to says we are not a bad side, but I don't want us to be a nearly side," said Cox.

"The cold, hard facts are that if we are trying to break into the top five then we need at least four strikers at the club.

"If you run through the stats of our season, we need to start killing teams off.

"I think it's imperative that we get another striker in, or maybe two.

"The goals against column isn't too bad over the course of our season.

"It's just about turning some of those draws we have had into wins because the lads are getting frustrated.

"The thing is we aren't playing too badly, it's just those defining moments in games where we need to score a second or third goal.

"We are creating between two and four really good chances in a game – not 50-50 chances but simplistic ones.

"No one misses on purpose and I'm not getting at the lads, but I just feel we need someone else to help us do the job."

Of Mansfield's goal tally, 14 have come from striker Matt Green, who, it is hoped, will complete his permanent switch from Oxford United before the New Year.

But next on the list, in league terms, are Louis Briscoe, Lindon Meikle and Paul Connor, who have four each.

Cox knows another frontline striker to share the goal burden would be ideal.

He is keen to recruit Ben Hutchinson and is in talks with the former Celtic and Middlesbrough man, but also has others in the pipeline.

Cox said: "When Greeny went off in the York home game we had to throw Lindon Meikle up front because we didn't have options on the bench and we shouldn't have to do that, even though he can play there.

"There is a lot of pressure on Greeny and Ross to produce all the goals. We have played some good stuff and now we need more of a cutting edge.

"You can work on things on the training ground until midnight in terms of set-pieces, shape and everything else. But if you are not going to punish sides then it's all irrelevant.

"Even from long throws, the ball is bouncing around and you just want a fox in the box on the spot. It's not as if we aren't creating anything.

"The hardest thing in football is sticking the ball in the back of the net, but if we start to score more goals I think we'll show people we are a decent outfit.

"That's why I will be working hard to bring at least one in during the January transfer window."

Cox admits it is difficult to ignore where Mansfield would be had they won a few more of the 11 games they have drawn.

Seven of those have ended 1-1 when the Stags have led.

"You look at where we could be if we had put some of the teams to bed and it is frightening," he said.

"I'm not saying we should have won all the games we have drawn, we could have lost some of them, but we could realistically have won half of them and that would be another good chunk of points.

"You put us against Fleetwood at home, Wrexham away, the two games against Southport and now York and I don't think we are a million miles away."

Mansfield will begin their New Year on Sunday with the short trip to York. The sides drew 1-1 at Field Mill on Boxing Day.

Cox said: "We have to go about our business in the same manner as we did the first game.

"I think it is going to be a different game. They came to our place and changed their system, which you have to take as a compliment.

"At home, though, I think they will come at us. They will be a dangerous animal. But they can leave themselves open to the counter attack on occasions and we have not been too bad at that this season."

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Hegarty's contract expires
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 29 Dec 2011

Manager Paul Cox has confirmed he will not be renewing the contract of winger Nick Hegarty.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2560342,00.html

The 25-year-old's deal expired after Boxing Day.

After signing in early November, the former Grimsby Town player has made just two starts for us.

Manager Paul Cox told http://www.mansfieldtown.net: "It was always Nick's main intention to play football in Australia after his two month spell with us. We wish him well in his new life 'down under'."

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Latest | December 2011