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Archived News from November 2012

SOUTHPORT PREVIEWS
13th November 2012 10:38


Speight may return for Southport
mansfieldtown.net, 8th November 2012

Striker Jake Speight could return to the team for our Blue Square Bet Premier clash against Southport at One Call Stadium on Saturday.

video interview with Paul Cox --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/speight-may-return-for-southport-475859.aspx?pageView=full#anchored

Speaking at his weekly press conference, manager Paul Cox confirmed that the 27-year-old had a cortisone injection is his knee, which ruled him out of our midweek game at Nuneaton Town.

Our boss said: “I'm hoping Jake Speight will be back. He had an injection before the Nuneaton game, but he could be back for the game this weekend. If he is, then it'll be a massive plus for us.”

Cox has also confirmed that midfielders Jamie Hand and Adam Murray have returned to training after their respective knee and ankle problems.

In other news, loanee goalkeeper Liam Mitchell has returned to parent club Notts County, whilst midfielder Solomon Taiwo has been released from his contract with us.

Mitchell registered two clean sheets from his three appearances for us, and Taiwo featured for the only time in a Mansfield Town shirt during our defeat at Cambridge United.

Cox continued: “We're talking to Notts County about the possibility of extending Liam's loan for another month, but we're talking to other clubs as well.

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that we're light in that department at the moment, so we want to get someone in to put pressure on Shane Redmond.”

Southport, our visitors to One Call Stadium this weekend, will be hoping to respond in a positive manner to the midweek home thrashing that they suffered to Wrexham.

The Sandgrounders, nevertheless, have scored in each of their last 11 league encounters and our boss expects that Liam Watson's side will possess a strong threat to us.

“Liam's teams will always come and attack you. They will pose us a threat, but all I want to do is focus on our own strengths and take our performances to another level,” said Cox.

“I think the second half against Slough, and then on Tuesday night against Nuneaton, was somewhere close to where we performed last season.

“The frustrating part was the chances we missed, but the overall performance and the football that we have played has been good.

“I've questioned the desire and commitment at times, especially away from home, but the boys showed a lot of endeavour at Nuneaton. Afterwards, the dressing room was the best I've seen it this season.”

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Stags strike pair may have to be patient
chad.co.uk, Thursday 8 November 2012

STRIKERS Jake Speight and Matt Green may both have to be patient on Saturday and sit on the bench at home to Southport (3pm) as boss Paul Cox seems likely to stick with his new-look side that performed so well in the 1-1 away draw at Nuneaton in midweek.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags-strike-pair-may-have-to-be-patient-1-5107936

Although they failed to win it, Stags did perform well and it would be tough on anyone to lose their place, particularly the new front pairing of Ben Hutchinson and goal hero Nick Wright.

“Jake has had a cortisone injection in his knee and should be fine for Saturday,” said Cox.

“If it had been the last game of the season or we'd had to throw all our eggs in one basket, he might have played in midweek. But we want him fit long term.

“If he is available on Saturday he will be a big plus to the squad.”

However, Cox said he was happy with his front two at Nuneaton, saying: “I thought both had fantastic games.

“Nick Wright is one of the unluckiest players at the club. The potential in the lad is unbelievable. He doesn't just score goals, but his overall general play up there is excellent.

“We have some really good competition for places now and I intend on picking players on performances and not reputations.”

After seeing Slough shut up shop for the draw at One Call Stadium last weekend, Cox is expecting a more open game against the Sandgrounders on Saturday.

“I know Liam well and his sides will always come and try to attack you and try to score goals,” he said. “We just need to carry on the way we have played in the second half against Slough and Tuesday at Nuneaton.”

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Wright hoping for run in Stags' side
chad.co.uk, Thursday 8 November 2012

NICK Wright has bags of potential according to Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox, writes Jake Brown.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/wright-hoping-for-run-in-stags-side-1-5108722

So with his first goal for the Stags coming on Tuesday night at lowly Nuneaton, the young striker will be looking to impress more and more as the Stags aim to make that eagerly awaited push up the Conference table.

The former Kidderminster front man will undoubtedly want to kick on from bagging his first goal, saying, “It was definitely worth the wait.

“I could have possibly got another one moments before, but I just want to make the most of my chance in the team.”

So getting more and more minutes under his belt will now be on his mind as the club heads towards the busy festive period.

In a league that notably gets tougher each year, a point away from home can't be grumbled at too loudly from Tuesday night.

With competition for places up for grabs the manager said he is keen to pick on merit rather than ego, so Wright will hope to start again on Saturday against Southport, although is taking a laid back approach stating: “I'd be happy to start or just to get on the pitch at any point and make my mark.”

Momentum is now what Cox's side will look to create at the weekend, starting where they left off with Tuesday night's performance.

Wright added: “The lads have talked and the spirit is high, we need to find that consistency with our play, and sometimes it can be better to be chasing the pack rather than be chased.”

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Mansfield Town wingman Louis Briscoe glad to be back in action for the Stags By Jake Brown
chad.co.uk, Saturday 10 November 2012

Winger Louis Briscoe is hoping to release his frustration on the busy run of games coming up for the Stags as the 24-year-old returns from an injury lay off.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield-town-wingman-louis-briscoe-glad-to-be-back-in-action-for-the-stags-1-5118477

He will hope to keep his place this afternoon against Southport after an impressive performance midweek at Nuneaton, claiming an assist that night,

Briscoe is clearly delighted to back playing in the side and points out the improvement the Stags have made recently saying, “The last game and a half as been a big improvement and we can feel ourselves improving, the fans have got to stick with us”.

After encouraging dominance on Tuesday night the versatile winger added, “We all know it should have been 3 points we feel its 2 points dropped, but its not the end of the world to take the 1 and we've seen some encouraging signs”.

The joint longest serving player will give manager Paul Cox more options as he hopes to kick on in his bid for full fitness, Briscoe will hope for plenty of opportunity as the games now come thick and fast

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