Archived News from April 2012
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LEE STEVENSON MAY RETURN TO SQUAD
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video interview with Paul Cox - Lee Stevenson may return to the squad
Interview recorded 16 April 2012 http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2738632,00.html -------------- Lee Stevenson in line for Stags call-up Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town's Lee Stevenson could come in from the wilderness on Friday to stake a late claim to be involved in the play-offs. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-15838378-detail/story.html The goalscoring midfielder has made only five league appearances for the Stags since joining from Eastwood Town on a two-year deal. His last start came on December 6 in a goalless draw at Grimsby Town and he has not featured since coming on as a late substitute against York on New Year's Day. But boss Paul Cox, who brought Stevenson, 27, with him from Coronation Park when he took the reins at Mansfield last May, could play him when they host second-placed Wrexham on Friday night. The third-placed Stags are already guaranteed a place in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs. And with a top-five berth secured, Cox said he is contemplating changes. He said: "Lee is in my thoughts for Friday and whoever does come in, if I do make changes, will try to prove a point. John Thompson is also in my thoughts. It is a chance to stake their claim. "Lee has been very unlucky and he is one of my boys, who I brought with me. The lad takes it personally when he is not playing and he might get a chance on Friday." ---------------------- Stags boss Cox to sign two-year deal Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox hopes to finally put pen to paper on his new two-year contract by the weekend. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-15848056-detail/story.html The former Eastwood Town manager took over the Stags hot-seat last May, signing a 12-month deal. He has since led the Stags to third spot in the Blue Square Bet Premier, securing a play-off place with two matches remaining. Last week he verbally agreed to a new contract until the summer of 2014 and he hopes it will all be sorted by Sunday, if not before Friday night's penultimate league game at home to Wrexham. Cox said: "The chairman is back for the Wrexham game, so I am hoping to sit down and get everything sorted. "We had a verbal chat before he went away and I trust the man, so there is no reason to think otherwise. "I want to commit myself to the club, the chairman said the club wants to commit to me so as far as I am concerned it is done, we just need to dot the I's and cross the T's. "Whether that is before the Wrexham game or at the weekend, hopefully something will get done and sorted and then we can start planning with players etc." Cox is keen to enter a reserve team into a proper league next season and believes he can sufficiently build on the foundations put down over the next two years. "We have to put some more structure into the football club, look at exit routes for the kids with reserve football and getting them coming through to the first team," he said. "There is a lot still needs doing." ------------------- Stags boss Paul Cox treads a fine line ahead of play-offs Thursday, April 19, 2012, Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town manager Paul Cox insists he must tread a fine line when it comes to getting his side ready for the play-offs. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-15858382-detail/story.html The Stags have been on a fantastic run to reach the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs, winning ten and drawing once in their last 12 games. It has seen them rocket up to third and they now need only one point from their last two games to guarantee that spot, meaning home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs. But they face play-off rivals in the last two matches, as they entertain second-placed Wrexham tomorrow night before travelling to fifth-placed Kidderminster eight days later. It will then be a two-legged showdown for a place at Wembley on Sunday May 20. But while Cox wants to ensure his players are fresh, he also wants to end strongly. Peripheral figures like Lee Stevenson and defender John Thompson may get a chance but Cox added: "It is a fine line now between tinkering too much and giving people the rest they need for the play-offs. "Of course it goes through your mind (resting players) but what we don't want to do is be silly. We do not want to sacrifice results. "We have spoken about the importance of keeping people topped up and mentally sharp. We might have a look at giving one or two a breather but I do not want the lads to take their foot off the pedal in any way." ----------------- |
Latest | April 2012