Archived News from February 2013
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LINCOLN PREVIEWS
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We must keep ourselves level - Cox
mansfieldtown.net 25th February 2013 Manager Paul Cox is insisting his players mustn't get carried away with their excellent run of results, which has seen them win seven out of the last eight matches. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/we-must-keep-ourselves-level-cox-677474.aspx Our first team are top of the form table after an excellent run of results, which now sees them five points off top spot, but with a game in hand over Wrexham, who lead the table. And speaking at this morning's pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night's trip at struggling Lincoln City, Cox warned against complacency. “It could all go sour tomorrow,” said Cox. “What I want us to do is keep ourselves level. Nothing's ever won in February. We're on a nice run of form but it's mine and the players job to make sure that continues. There's a long way to go [until the end of the season] and a lot of twists and turns. “It's one we have to go into with the right kind of mindset. We have to be careful that we keep ourselves level after a tremendous high on Saturday [following the 3-2 win at Luton]. “It's a local derby. We'll be taking a lot of supporters with us and we have to put in the same kind of performance than we did at Luton – nothing else will be good enough. “We have to go into this fixture with even more hunger because it's these type of games which ultimately come and find you out.” In team news, Alan Marriott and Lee Beevers, who struggled in parts of the match on Saturday with minor knocks, have been declared fit. Meanwhile, Cox said he was waiting to hear an update on the state of Anthony Howell's knee which kept him out of Saturday's clash at Kenilworth Road, Luton ---------------- Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox sounds warning to his high-flying side ahead of local derby at Lincoln chad.co.uk Monday 25 February 2013 STAGS boss Paul Cox has warned his high-flying Stags side not to underestimate the size of their task as they head to struggling neighbours Lincoln City tomorrow night (7.45). http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield-town-manager-paul-cox-sounds-warning-to-his-high-flying-side-ahead-of-local-derby-at-lincoln-1-5445458 Managerless City are hovering precariously above the drop one while Mansfield, still basking in the glory of Saturday's superb 3-2 win at Luton Town, have now won seven out of their last eight games and six of the last seven aways. So Cox's men will head for Sincil Bank clear favourites against an Imps side who have only won once in 12 games – a run that saw former Mansfield boss David Holdsworth sacked last week. Cox was happy to let his players enjoy the Luton win over the weekend, but warned: “Tomorrow is a different game mentally and we have got to go into it in the right kind of mindset. “We had a tremendous result on Saturday. But we have to keep ourselves level as this is a local derby. “We will be taking a lot of supporters with us and we have to go there and put in the same kind of performance as we did at Luton. Nothing else will be good enough. “We knew what was needed at Luton. We have to approach the Lincoln game even more hungry or these kind of games can, ultimately, find you out.” If results went their way, Mansfield could leap as high as second tomorrow night and are currently only five points off top spot with a game in hand. But Cox is not thinking about titles. “We are just enjoying playing catch-up,” he said. “The players are enjoying their football and the supporters are enjoying their football. “I know it could all go sour tomorrow. Nothing is ever won in February and there will be lots of twists and turns before the season ends. There is a long way to go and we just want to stay there or thereabouts.” Stags are expected to be at full strength, though there are slight concerns about four players. Anthony Howell missed the Luton game after feeling a knee injury picked up in training during the pre-game warm-up. It was still sore this morning but he is hoping another 24 hours and some ice will do the trick. Keeper Alan Marriott, heading back to his former club, felt a tightening in his groin at Luton, but Cox said: “He was still kicking okay late on so hopefully he will be okay.” Skipper Adam Murray took a heavy kick to the leg, but soldiered on and is having a lighter pool session day today, while full back Lee Beevers suffered the agony of a dislocated shoulder, but also battled on, Cox adding: “I spoke to him Saturday night and I think he will be feeling a bit sore this morning. Apart from that I am sure he will be fine.” Next Tuesday's trip to Woking has been moved on 24 hours to Wednesday night as the home side were concerned their attendance could be hit by TV coverage of Manchester United v Real Madrid. The move has upset a few Stags fans, who had booked time off work to go to the Tuesday date, but Cox said: “I can't speak for Woking, but they contacted us and asked if we would move the game and we agreed to it. “I just thought it would give our lads an extra 24 hours rest and recuperation.” ------------ Stags focused as Imps eye revenge Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox knows Lincoln City will be on a revenge mission tonight after the Stags wrecked their FA Cup dream. But he says his side will keep their calm and focus to ensure their push for the Blue Square Bet Premier title gathers even more momentum. The two sides have met three times already this season. A goalless draw in the league kicked it off before a second round cup clash ended 3-3, with Matt Rhead grabbing a last-gasp equaliser at Sincil Bank. The replay meant more with both knowing the winner would land a third round home tie with Liverpool and Stags won 2-1. That hurt Lincoln and they have since parted company with boss David Holdsworth, Grant Brown taking caretaker charge. But with the Stags looking to break into the play-off places this evening and just five points off leaders Wrexham with a game in hand, Cox knows they must remain focused. His side have won seven of their last eight games and on the road, have won six of their last seven, the only blip being a 2-0 loss at Newport a fortnight ago. Cox said: "We know it will be tough, it is a local derby. They will think they have a point to prove after the FA Cup, there will be some needle, but I do not like talking too much about the opposition. "I like to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we are focused. "We will go to them for the win. We have played them three times this season and they have all been close games so we know it will be tough and we are taking nothing for granted." Just 15 minutes before kick-off at Luton on Saturday, Anthony Howell pulled up injured and Chris Clements got the nod to start, with Ben Hutchinson promoted to the bench. Hutchinson then played a part in the winning goal by fellow sub Lindon Meikle, as he fired a last-minute strike to win the game 3-2. Cox said it just proves how important the squad will be if they are to win promotion this season. "The squad will come into play and they all have such an important part to play," he said. Mansfield's away match at Forest Green Rovers on Friday, March 15 has been made all ticket, while the game at Woking has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, March 6 (7.45pm). Read more: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-18256344-detail/story.html#ixzz2LztYJPue Follow us: @thisisnottm on Twitter | ThisIsNottingham on Facebook ---------------------- Spotlight on Lincoln City v Mansfield Town Nottingham Post Lincoln: Farman, Miller, Boyce, Garner, Nicolau, Turnbull, Fofana, Jones, Power, Sheridan, Taylor, Smith, Oliver Gray, Robinson, Preece Team news: Lincoln, by all accounts, were below par in their 0-0 draw at Barrow at the weekend and could revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation with former Stag Colin Larkin dropping out the side. Stags: Marriott; Beevers, Jones, Dempster, Jennings; Briscoe, Murray, Clements, Daniel; Stevenson; Green. Subs: Sutton, Meikle, Hutchinson, Rhead, Wright, Redmond, Howell, Geohaghon, Thompson, Tafazolli Team news: Anthony Howell is a doubt after pulling up with a knee injury during the warm-up prior to the 3-2 win at Luton. If he does not recover, Chris Clements is likely to deputise again with Ben Hutchinson retaining his place on the bench. Otherwise, Jake Speight and Ross Dyer remain on the sidelines with knee injuries. One to watch: Alan Power. The industrious midfielder, who used to be on Nottingham Forest's books, scored twice when the two sides met at Sincil Bank in the FA Cup. Will look to stamp his authority on the game once again Read more: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-18256391-detail/story.html#ixzz2LztI98AY Follow us: @thisisnottm on Twitter | ThisIsNottingham on Facebook ------------------- Moved Woking match may help - Cox mansfieldtown.net 25th February 2013 Our league fixture away at Woking on Wednesday 06 March, which was moved back by 24 hours, will help the recuperation of the Mansfield Town players, manager Paul Cox claimed today. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/moved-woking-match-may-help-cox-678142.aspx Hosts Woking re-arranged the fixture from Tuesday 05 March to 'avoid a clash with the televised Champions League match between Manchester United and Real Madrid.' It is the third time this season in which this fixture has been rescheduled. Cox said: “I think the game will give us a little more rest and time to recuperate from the Saturday game [at Telford]. It is just another fixture in which we have to show mental strength, desire and hunger.” Cox's side have 15 matches left to play in the league, finishing with Wrexham at home on Saturday April 20, at the later kick off time of 5.15pm ---------------- FGR match all ticket for Stags fans mansfieldtown.net 25th February 2013 Supporters planning to travel to The New Lawn later next month must buy tickets in advance of the game from our ticket office. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/forest-green-match-all-ticket-for-stags-fans-678385.aspx The Lawnmowers have given us 300 tickets for the game which will be played on Friday 15 March (7.45pm). There are no cash paying turnstiles on the day of the game, and Stags fans should therefore not travel without a valid match ticket. Ticket prices are: Adult: £14 Senior citizens (65 and over): £10 Young adults (16-21): £7 Children (15 and under): £4 --------------- |
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