Archived News from January 2013
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KIDDERMINSTER PREVIEWS
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Cox: It's all about the future
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-its-all-about-the-future-592495.aspx Manager Paul Cox has stated that he has a selection headache ahead of tomorrow's game with Kidderminster Harriers, due to the performance of our reserve team in midweek. Striker Matt Rhead, along with Lee Stevenson and Junior Daniel amongst others, were all in impressive form as our second-string earned a fabulous 5-0 victory over Hartlepool United on Tuesday. Cox said: “The massive positive for me this week has been the performance in the reserves of quite a number of the players. There were some excellent individual performances. “It's given me a massive lift because it looks as though I've got some really hungry players, who want to grab a place in this team and earn themselves a contract for next season.” He continued: “It's the January transfer window and we are talking to players, so I'm not going to tolerate any lack of effort or mind-set. Right now, we need to get some points on the board. “One thing we can't have now is people reminiscing or dreaming about what was [in the Liverpool game]. We have to look to the future and start climbing the league table. “If we win our games in hand, then we'll be in an excellent position, but I won't be scared to make changes to the team if it needs to be done. “I've never been scared of playing on Saturday, Tuesday, and then again on the Saturday. I think sometimes, players actually prefer doing that as it can give you more energy. “If we can keep our mind-set and just continue to play games, then you can grind out results and potentially put nine points on the board within a week, which is a positive. Cox added: “We can turn this into one of the better seasons in the club's history if we can concentrate and be really focussed on the things that are infront of us.” ---------------------- Forget Liverpool, Kidderminster gme is the big one, says Stags star Murray chad.co.uk Friday 11 January 2013 AFTER weeks of talk about the size of the FA Cup tie with Liverpool, Stags assistant player-manager Adam Murray said the club's 'big game' was now very much Saturday's home clash with form side Kidderminster Harriers http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/forget-liverpool-kidderminster-gme-is-the-big-one-says-stags-star-murray-1-5302552 Murray, who has come back from injury and illness to play in the last two games, said: “Saturday is the big game now. “The Liverpool game was a great occasion and the club and supporters enjoyed the day and were given something to remember. “Now the proper work starts and this big game is a million miles from Sunday's. We have to come back down to earth to our walk of life and realise what we are about. “There is bound to be a bit of a lull physically and mentally after a game like Sunday's which is why we have had 48 hours off to get back on level pegging and prepare for the game. “It comes down to being professional against Kidderminster. Anyone can raise their game in front of 8,000 fans. Saturday is when the proper players come out to play. Everyone will be judged and are fighting for their places and their careers. “Kidderminster are absolutely flying. But they are a good side who know what they are about and have stuck to their philosophy for years.” Stags have still not played half of their games and will need to play most midweeks to catch up, but Murray said: “I love playing Saturday/Tuesday as it really gets you in game mode and you don't have time to think or maybe over-think things. “You build your fitness quicker and, if you keep winning, everything becomes second nature. “The second half of the season is when Paul Cox comes alive and his teams always hit the ground. That's what we are looking to do. There is so much to play for and we must make sure we hit our targets. “Fitness-wise I am now getting where I want to be. It's now all about getting games under my belt and pushing on.” He added: “Hopefully against Kidderminster the fans can try to recreate the kind of noise from the Liverpool game which was fantastic. But I know it is up to us to give them something to shout about.” ----------------- Mansfield vs Kidderminster: Cox could keep the faith This is Nottingham Mansfield boss Paul Cox may be tempted to retain the same starting XI which performed so creditably against Liverpool for the game against Kidderminster. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Mansfield-vs-Kidderminster-Cox-faith/story-17828610-detail/story.html Defender Ryan Tafazolli remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury while striker Ross Dyer is out for the season with a serious knee injury. Striker Matt Rhead scored for the reserves in midweek and is pushing for a start and he will compete with Lindon Meikle for a place alongside Matt Green in the Stags attack. Jake Speight and Nick Wright are other attacking options for Cox but both players have been on the fringes of the side recently and may again have to be content with places on the bench. Cox is likely to reinforce his squad in the near future with some of the dividends from the Stags high profile FA Cup run. Kidderminster midfielder Kyle Storer will face a late fitness test. Storer has been suffering with an infection and missed the recent win against Barrow. Winger Danny Pilkington will not feature however as he continues to recover from a knock. Kidderminster have finalised a new deal for defender Josh Gowling and he is likely to feature, but striker Jamille Matt has joined npower League Two side Fleetwood. Midfielder Jack Byrne (knee cruciate) remains on the long-term injury list and will not feature. Strikers Anthony Malbon and Nathan Blissett may again have to be content with a place on the bench with Ryan Rowe netting last time out ---------------- Spotlight on Mansfield v Kidderminster Nottingham Post, Friday 11 January 2013 http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17826559-detail/story.html Stags (from): Marriott, Beevers, Thompson, Dempster, Geohaghon, Murray, Clements, Rhead, Howell, Briscoe, Daniel, Green, Meikle Wright, Sutton, Speight, Hutchinson, Stevenson, Redmond. Team news: After a 5-0 win for the reserves in the week, players who have been on the fringes of the first team are staking their claim for a starting berth ahead of a hectic period. Ross Dyer (knee) is a long-term absentee and defender Ryan Tafazolli is also ruled out through injury. Kidderminster: Lewis, Dunkley, Vaughan, Gowling, Demetriou, Shakes, Johnson, Vincent, Briggs, Storer, Gittings, Williams, Rowe, Malbon, Matt, Vaughan, Blisset One to watch: Kidderminster are on a run of eight wins in nine leagues matches are could name an unchanged team to face the Stags. But they hope to have influential midfielder Kyle Storer back from a knee injury although wing pair Danny Pilkington and Marvin Johnson are still doubts. One to watch: Jamille Matt. The 22-year-old striker did not make his first appearance until November but he has been in inspired form, scoring eight goals in eight matches, including once against Barrow last time out. In total, he has netted 22 goals in 39 starts for Steve Burr's side. His form has led to him recently penning a new and improved deal -------------------------------------- Match preview Vs Mansfield Town http://www.harriers-online.co.uk/season12-13/previews12-13/pre_mans11-1-13.shtml Date: 12-01-13 Venue: One Call Stadium Kick off: 15:00hrs On the eve of this crucially important League game at Mansfield the Harriers will have to learn once more how to live life without Jamille Matt. Our star striker penned a deal with League One side Fleetwood Town yesterday after their offer for him triggered a clause in the new contract that had been agreed with him only seven days earlier. At such short notice it looks like there will be a recall to the side for Nathan Blissett. He lost his place to Jamma when the big man made a sudden return to the club just prior to our game at Telford in November and, to be honest, it showed just how much he needed to improve if he hoped to step into Jamilles boots one day. That day came sooner than anyone, including Nathan, thought it ever would. This game could be a hard one for the youngster to come back in following Mansfields epic, but ultimate betrayal, in the FA Cup last week when Liverpool clinched the tie with a goal from Louis Suarez that divided opinion in the football world on it's validity and honesty. Personally I think it was a blatant handball and a decent referee would have sent Suarez off. We have seen such incidents heavily punished in the non league game (Michael Briscoe at Ebbsfleet?) but Premiership prima donna referees have different principles. We could also be without Keith Briggs and Cheyenne Dunkley for the game. Both picked up injuries in training this week but Chey looks the more likely to come through with just a slight groin strain while Briggs has a leg injury. Marvin Johnson returned to the side against Barrow last week and should have come through that outing without a problem but it may still be too early for Dan Pilkington to come back from his injury. Kyle Storer missed the Barrow game too but he should have got over his minor knock by now. It appears that Mansfield came through the Liverpool game unscathed and should be at full strength, apart from two long term injuries to Ross Dyer (knee) and Ryan Tafazolli, for our visit including the scrote called Exerdus Geegan. It was Geohaghon that seemed to gift the game to Mansfield at the start of the season after signing for us, from them, a few weeks earlier. He had arrived at Aggborough being hailed as a massive signing by Steve Burr and immediately given the captaincy. It was to be one of Burrs biggest, of very few, mistakes and one that he came to regret when Geohaghon sneaked back to Mansfield days after that defeat to be welcomed back to Field Mill as a prodigal returned. It was a blessing in disguise really because soon after we bought a proper footballer in to replace him. Two in fact, when Josh Gowling came in to partner Cheyenne Dunkley and improved the youngsters game no end to make them one of the best defensive partnerships in the league. Also at Mansfield are two other former Harriers but these are the genuine article. Luke Jones and Nick Wright both went there during the 'summer' but neither can get a regular start for their new club. Nick even tweeted recently 'get me back to Kiddy' but that was seen to be a bit tongue in cheek. It'll be interesting to see if either of them get to start against us. There's no doubt that this is going to be a tough game made tougher by Matts departure but I'm sure that with our recent form and the camaraderie in the side that we can get our usual good result there. Teams: Harriers from: Lewis, N Vaughan, L Vaughan, Williams, Dunkley, Smith, Demetriou, Gowling, Shakes, Storer, Vincent, Briggs, D Pilkington, Guinan, Johnson, Malbon, Clancy, Gittings, Rowe, Blissett. Mansfield Town from: Marriott, Redmond, Sutton, Thompson, Dempster, Jones, G Pilkington, Meikle, Speight, Green, Briscoe, Wright, Howell, Clements, Owens, Rhead, Beevers, Roberts, Hand, Tolley, Murray, Todd, Hutchinson, Stevenson, Somes, Holland, Rogers, Shaw, Daniel, Geohaghon ---------------- PREVIEW: Mansfield v Harriers http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/harriers/10154723._/ Friday 11th January 2013 MICKEY Demetriou believes Harriers' rock-solid back line can be the difference as they take on play-off rivals Mansfield Town tomorrow (3pm ko). The Aggborough outfit boast the second best defence in the Blue Square Bet Premier but that record will be sternly tested by the Stags, who have lost just twice in the league at their Field Mill Fortress. Harriers have conceded just ten goals in 12 away games, with most of those coming in August. They have also kept the opposition out in their last three league away games. Left-back Demetriou has played a vital part in the Reds' solidity and also provided an attacking thrust with his trademarks forays on the wing. He hailed the impact of Josh Gowling and the settled nature of the back four as the reason for the team's durability. “The defence has been very solid and I think we're second behind Grimsby in the least goals conceded,” commented Demetriou. “We've got Lee Vaughan who's 26, while Chey [Dunkley] and I are quite young and Josh is an older head and it has worked well. “Josh has taught me Chey and I a lot since he joined the club. “He's an experienced player and he's had a big influence on the team “We've had a settled back four and we know if we do our job and keep the opposition out we will score a goal.” Sixth-placed Harriers will be aiming to keep the pressure on the top five and steal a march on Mansfield, who have a number games in hand after a run to the FA Cup third round, which ended in a spirited 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. Among the squad Mansfield boss Paul Cox has assembled are several familliar faces, including former player Luke Jones and Nick Wright. Ex-Harriers skipper Exodus Geohaghan is also a regular for the Stags after his controversial brief spell at Aggborough. The Birmingham-born defender Joined the club in July but after a poor start to the season, where they lost the first five games, he requested a move to former team Mansfield. Geoghaghon got his wish when he joined the Stags for £5,000 fee. But Harriers have not looked back since manager Steve Burr drafted in Josh Gowling, who has struck up an effective centre back partnership with Dunkley. Demetriou said: ““Luke [Jones] and Nick [Wright] aren't getting into the side but you never know, they might start because Harriers are their old club. “I think Exodus will start. He was only at the club for a short time but he still counts as a former player. “When he was at the club the back four wasn't settled and we weren't getting results. “Lee Vaughan was suspended for the first four games and I and Chey weren't playing but we took our chances when they came.” Harriers are hoping Kyle Storer will have recovered from an infection to be available for the clash. Winger Danny Pilkington (thigh) is still a week away from being available ------------------ Thur 10 Jan 2013 twitter.com/Arran_Stirland you even play the beautifull game anymore? I'd leave coxys ruining you, good player too #wasted twitter.com/Jtolls20 (Jamie Tolley) I don't mate.. That's all I wana do... #doingmynutin twitter.com/JamesWoffMTFC He hasn't said what's happened we as fans are puzzled! twitter.com/Jtolls20 (Jamie Tolley) I can't give u a reason mate, I wish I could... Just been f*#ked about massively #noreason twitter.com/Jtolls20 (Jamie Tolley) Gary Roberts... To Malta ... What a game football is #crazy #nuts #mental twitter.com/lee8stevo (Lee Stevenson) one way ticket #ripmalta ----------------- |
Latest | January 2013