Archived News from August 2013
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WYCOMBE PREVIEWS / LIAM MITCHELL SIGNS
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Mitchell returns to Stags
mansfieldtown.net 15th August 2013 Ex-Notts County goalkeeper Liam Mitchell has today returned to One Call Stadium after signing on a non-contract basis. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/mitchell-returns-to-stags-994937.aspx?#15JsVLWMA8FyuSWJ.99 The 20-year-old, who made three starts for us last season on loan from Meadow Lane, will join the rest of the squad this afternoon as they travel overnight for the trip to Wycombe Wanderers. Mitchell joins the club following the news that reserve goalkeeper Ian Deakin could be out for up to six weeks, after dislocating a shoulder during the warm-up before last Saturday’s home match to Exeter City Said manager Paul Cox: “After Ian ‘s unfortunate injury, we have had to make sure that we are adequately covered. “Liam did well for us last season and has a good pedigree. He will give us both cover and competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey.” Mitchell has been allocated squad number 33. ---------------- Cox to bring in GK before Saturday mansfieldtown.net 15th August 2013 Paul Cox is confident of signing a new goalkeeper ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers, after learning that reserve shot stopper Ian Deakin could be out of action for six weeks. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-to-bring-in-gk-before-saturday-993997.aspx#bsFk5Vr1ljmP1xWZ.99 Deakin, a summer signing from Buxton, dislocated a shoulder during the warm-up before last weekend’s home draw with Exeter City. “He fell awkwardly,” said Cox, speaking at this morning’s press meeting. “It was totally innocuous, but they’re nasty injuries. We hope he gets well quickly, but we now have to bring another goalkeeper in.” Acting swiftly after Deakin’s injury, ex-Notts County goalkeeper Liam Mitchell was brought in by Cox to keep goal during a 2-1 reserve win at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday. The 21-year-old, who made three starts for us on loan last season, could enter talks with the manager as early as this evening. “We’re looking for someone who can push Alan [for the number one spot],” said Cox. “He [Liam] did well at Doncaster, like we knew he would, and as he did last season. He was a bit unlucky not to pick up a club in the summer. We’ll probably sit down with him today after training and go from there.” Another ex-Notts player, Hamza Bencherif, has had the chance to impress the manager after the 25-year-old linked up with the rest of the squad at this morning’s training session. “We’ll take a good look at him. He has a good background at this level of football and knows his way around this scene.” Paul Cox will also be without midfielder Keiran Murtagh (knee) ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers. The midfielder is expected to be out of action for three weeks. Hear more from boss Paul Cox on Stags Player ---------------- Duo keen to maintain place mansfieldtown.net 15th August 2013 Defenders Martin Riley and Ritchie Sutton are both keen to maintain their place in our starting line-up for our trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/duo-keen-to-maintain-place-993008.aspx#xXmvOWrtZ0kv3Xv4.99 Our side sealed their first point of the new season following a 0-0 draw against Exeter City last weekend; a match in which Sutton scooped the ‘Man of the Match’ award. “I’ve been ‘over the moon’ since I came back into the side. Last Saturday was the first time I’ve won a ‘Man of the Match’ award in three years,” laughed Sutton. “When I got a chance to play at centre-half [in the League Cup at Tranmere Rovers], I knew it was an opportunity to impress which I had to take.” “I’ve developed as a player since I’ve been playing at centre-half. When I was younger, I was rash in my decision-making at times, and experienced players would take advantage of it. “I’ve grown as a player over the last few years, and having made the step-up, the lads are starting to realise what they could do in this league. Meanwhile, Riley added: “It was nice to keep a clean-sheet last Saturday. I thought we looked pretty solid and we worked on a flat back three in training last week. “Pre-Season was very up and down for me, but I was happy to be back in the team. We’ve got some good players at this club, and healthy competition is good for everyone.” Interviews with Martin Riley and Ritchie Sutton will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe to Stags Player, click here. ------------------------ Stags eye up ex-Notts County pair Liam Mitchell and Hamza Bensherif chad.co.uk 15 August 2013 Mansfield Town are hoping to bring in former loanee and ex-Notts County goalkeeper Liam Mitchell this week. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-eye-up-ex-notts-county-pair-liam-mitchell-and-hamza-bensherif-1-5956757?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed They are also running the rule over Mitchell’s former Magpies team mate Hamza Bencherif (25) who, along with Mitchell, was released from Meadow Lane in the summer. Mitchell (20) impressed during a spell on loan at Mansfield just under a year ago and could be the perfect replacement for back-up keeper Ian Deakin, who dislocated his shoulder during the warm-up before the Exeter City game last weekend. “Ian Deakin is going to be out for a fair bit now so we are looking for someone to push Alan Marriott,” said manager Paul Cox. “Liam did very well last time he was here. He didn’t put a foot wrong to be fair and was unlucky in the summer not to be picked up by a club. “I will sit down with him today after training and see what we can do. “I do have some young keepers here but I don’t want to push them too far too early as that may send them the wrong way.” On Deakin’s injury, he added: “Some of the forwards stayed out to fire a few balls at him on Saturday and he just fell awkwardly. Like Alan Marriott last season, it looked innocuous but you can’t turn your nose up at these injuries. It is a really nasty injury and I hope he gets well quickly. In the meantime we need another keeper.” Algerian midfielder Bencherif has also come in on trial with manager Paul Cox keen to make sure he has what he needs in the club before the transfer window deadline at the end of the month. He has already taken a look at Leon McSweeney and Eddy Gnahore as possible midfield back-up but has opted not to go for either of them. “I can’t stand still here - we are not in a position where we have won three games,” said Cox. “Every manager will be exactly the same with the window closing. “We will have a good look at Ben. He knows this level of football well and I thought he was excellent at Macclesfield under Keith Alexander. He has just got lost a bit at Notts County, but still has a pedigree at this level.” -------------------- Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox tells his players to believe in themselves chad.co.uk 15 August 2013 Paul Cox has told his players to start to believe in themselves as they head for Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow looking for a first goal and first win of the season. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-boss-paul-cox-tells-his-players-to-believe-in-themselves-1-5956858?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed “Once we start to believe in ourselves I think we will be decent,” said Cox. “It annoys me we are playing with some anxiety at the moment. They need to understand they are good players who have just come off winning a very tough league. “People talk about the step-up to the League and perhaps one or two are panicking. But the goals are the same size, the ball is the same size and the pitch is the same size. “Everyone knows my philosophy - this game is all the head. My job is to get them understanding what they are good at and what made us successful last season. “I don’t know what it is but we never seem to start a season well - it’s all down to belief. At least we’ve made a better start than last year as we’d conceded eight goals already and not got a point at this stage!” Cox feels his new strike pair of Ollie Palmer and Calvin Andrew will produce the goods after seeing then make a promising start against Exeter last weekend. “That was Calvin’s first game since Gainsborough pre-season and he will score goals for us. And we all know about Ollie and how he is going to improve. “Ollie’s goalscoring history is excellent and I have no doubt once he scores his first they will come through in bundles as we are creating chances all over the place.” Against Exeter Cox went with three central defenders, but said: “I have not made up my mind what system to use at Wycombe. I have a lot of reports about them being collated and I won’t rush into anything. “I played the three last weekend to give us a base to start from and try to keep a clean sheet which worked. The lads were well worthy of the point and I am a bit annoyed we didn’t steal all three with the good chances we had to win it.” Apart from midfielder Keiran Murtagh and reserve keeper Ian Deakin, Cox has a fully fit squad to select from at Adams Park, where the Stags have only ever managed one win in their seven visits, that being the last time there, 2-1, in 2008. -------------------- Sutton shores up Stags’ leaky defence chad.co.uk 15 August 2013 After seeing Mansfield Town leak four sloppy goals in a game and a half, Ritchie Sutton is a happy man after coming on at half-time at Tranmere and being part of a defence that has not conceded again in the following game and a half. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/sutton-shores-up-stags-leaky-defence-1-5956790?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed He even won himself the man of the match accolade in last weekend’s 0-0 home draw with Exeter City. Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers, Sutton said: “I am over the moon to come back into the side and I got my first man of the match in three years on Saturday. “We had been conceding sloppy goals and the gaffer thought he needed to change things. “The gaffer has looked at me as a full back but this is a chance for me at centre half, where I like to play as well, and I need to take it. “I think I have become a better player here as I am now more experienced and, as a defender, when you are young you can do rash things that experienced pros wouldn’t do. I feel I have become more solid.”?He added: “I have played at Wycombe before when I was with Port Vale and I know it will be a good atmosphere. We need to push on now and get three points.” ------------------ Stags defender Martin Riley glad to be back on board chad.co.uk 15 August 2013 Central defender Martin Riley is relishing being back and part of Mansfield Town’s Football League return after 12 months away at Wrexham. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-defender-martin-riley-glad-to-be-back-on-board-1-5956827?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed Riley made his first appearance on his second spell with the club in last weekend’s 0-0 home draw with Exeter and said: “It is weird coming back here after being away for a year. “I missed out on promotion, which I would have loved to have been involved in. But I did have a great season with Wrexham and managed to play at Wembley twice. “I am pleased to be back. When I heard Mansfield were interested in me there was not really anywhere else I wanted to go. “They are a great set of lads and the staff and fans are great.” He added: “My pre-season was up and down as I picked up a couple of injuries. But It was nice to get into the side and keep a clean sheet last weekend, and I thought we looked pretty solid. “I have played with John Dempster and Ritchie Sutton before which helped. And I did feel quite fit, though I was blowing a bit for the last 10 minutes. “We know Wycombe will be a tough game - there are no easy games in League Two. But we are not afraid of anyone and fancy ourselves to beat anyone.” ----------------------- Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Mansfield Town Read more: http://www.wycombe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=328728#ixzz2c7QE5i00 Wycombe Wanderers will be aiming to get back to winning ways this weekend when they host newly promoted Mansfield Town in a League Two fixture at Adams Park. After such an encouraging opening week of the new season, in which Morecambe were seen off in sparkling fashion and Championship side Leicester City were pushed all the way in the League Cup, the dismal defeat at the hands of AFC Wimbledon brought the Chairboys crashing back to earth much like the schoolboy prank when a chair is whipped away from under you just as you're about to sit down. For some, including manager Gareth Ainsworth, it has been a case of forgetting about such a pitiful display, concentrating on a perceived injustice of the Stuart Lewis sending-off and focusing on the forthcoming tussle with the Stags. For others however, there was a need for a post-mortem in a performance that bore no resemblance to the previous displays against the Shrimps and the Foxes. Such inconsistency is utterly frustrating, as is the sight of the Captain charging around Kingsmeadow like a demented loon. What on earth Stuart Lewis thought he might bring to the team by planting his knee into the stomach of the Dons' George Porter only he can explain. What he did do was leave his team mates with ten men for the rest of the match. Within three minutes they had conceded the only goal of the game as Luke Moore was given the freedom of the penalty area to head past Matt Ingram. The Blues would have suffered an even heavier defeat had the hosts taken their chances, with the woodwork twice coming to their rescue late on. Those who need their happy drugs tried to look for positives from the first defeat of the new campaign but there were few to be found. AFC Wimbledon's ambition this season is to avoid another relegation battle. They will struggle to have an easier afternoon all season and it is difficult to maintain any optimism in a Wycombe Wanderers side that can lose to the Dons in such an abject manner. We get back on the rollercoaster again this weekend with Mansfield Town the visitors to Adams Park for the first time in almost six years. They followed in the Chairboys' footsteps as they won the Conference Premier title last season to return to the Football League after a five year absence. Manager Paul Cox deserves a huge amount of credit, not only for the success on the pitch, but for dealing with the shambles off the pitch, which is a complete basket case led by owner John Radford and his bizarre wife Carolyn Still. Cox can already boast a famous win over the Blues having guided Eastwood Town to a 2-0 F.A. Cup second round victory against Peter Taylor's disinterested mob back in December 2008. The Stags will be making their eighth visit to the Chair Metropolis this weekend and looking for their second win. They recorded their first victory on their last visit back in February 2008 when journeyman striker Jefferson Louis fired past goalkeeper Frank Fielding to notch a last minute winner in a 2-1 victory. Scott McGleish had headed home an equaliser to cancel out striker Michael Boulding's early penalty. The first meeting came on a cold January evening in 1994, when Martin O'Neill's men were enjoying life in their inaugural Football League season. The squad had been set a target of 21 points from a possible 30 with the prize a short trip to sunnier climes. They went into the game having taken 19 points from 27 and only a win would do. The game was heading towards a dull goal-less draw before loan midfielder Mark Cooper (now Swindon Town boss) came off the bench to volley home in front of the valley end with less than a quarter of an hour remaining to seal a 1-0 win. It would be more than eight years before the sides met again, and they shared the points in a 3-3 draw that wasn't quite as exciting the scoreline suggests. Sean Devine cancelled out Wayne Corden's goal within a minute and Craig Faulconbridge headed home on the stroke of the half-time to make it 2-1. The visitors levelled through Iyseden Christie before Corden scored his second of the game to give the Stags a 3-2 lead with just four minutes remaining. Fortunately Paul McCarthy rescued a point as he bundled home Richard Harris's long throw at the far post in injury-time. Mansfield Town were relegated from League One at the end of that season but returned in a F.A. Cup second round tie in December 2003 which was bizarrely chosen to be shown live on Sky. Gavin Holligan slid home to give the Blues the lead early in the second half but Isyeden Christie levelled soon afterwards and the tie ended in a 1-1 draw. A last minute penalty did for the Wanderers in a 3-2 defeat in the replay and a miserable season ended in relegation. With the two sides now in League Two, they met in October 2004 in an instantly forgettable 1-1 draw. Derek Asamoah put the visitors ahead inside sixty seconds at the start of the second half but loan striker Adam Birchall rescued a point with a neat finish from Joe Burnell's free-kick on the hour mark. The 2-2 draw in February 2006 was a more exciting encounter but thoughts were elsewhere with the club still mourning the loss of Mark Philo and manager John Gorman absent to look after his ill wife Myra. Keith Ryan and Steve Brown took charge and saw the side fight back from two goals down to earn a point. Jon-Olav Hjelde and Richie Barker (now Crawley Town boss) scored in the space of six first half minutes to put the visitors in control. Tommy Mooney pulled one back with a header from Kevin Betsy's cross nine minutes into the second half and Stefan Oakes rescued a share of the spoils in the 77th minute when his deflected shot crept inside the post. The Chairboys recorded only their second ever home win over the Stags on a warm September evening in 2006. The game had been moved to a Friday night due to an England fixture the following day and the three points were won courtesy of Jermaine Easter's close-range finish after visiting goalkeeper Carl Muggleton had failed to hold onto Kevin Betsy's header. Gareth Ainsworth will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up this weekend with Stuart Lewis serving the first of a three match ban after his red card at AFC Wimbledon. Many will want to see Matt Spring come into the midfield, and there is a growing feeling that the side looks stronger when playing in a 4-3-3 formation. It is certainly true that Spring has looked his most effective when part of a midfield three. There are also some fans who would like to see young Max Kretzschmar given his chance. There weren't many players who can say they made a case for inclusion last weekend, Matt Ingram and perhaps Leon Johnson aside, but Ainsworth has always looked for consistency in his team selections and is unlikely to make too many changes. Defender Charles Dunne is set to continue after being an unused substitute for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in their European qualifier with the Faroe Islands in midweek. Five players returned to action in a 5-0 win over Maidenhead United in a training ground match with central defender Gary Doherty completing 90 minutes as he searches for match fitness following back surgery last season. Striker Matt McClure scored in the game after recovering from a knee injury. Winger Lee Angol notched a brace after overcoming a knock whilst winger Junior Morias also returned from a rib injury. The quartet are all available for this weekend's clash with the Stags. Midfielder Matt Bloomfield played 45 minutes in midweek after missing almost a year with a pelvic shear injury but isn't ready for first team football just yet. The Chairboys starting eleven could look something like this (4-4-2): Matt Ingram Marvin McCoy - Anthony Stewart - Leon Johnson - Charles Dunne Paris Cowan-Hall - Josh Scowen - Matt Spring - Sam Wood Dean Morgan - Jon-Paul Pittman Subs: Charlie Horlock, Gary Doherty, Kortney Hause, Max Kretzschmar, Jo Kuffour, Matt McClure, Steven Craig Mansfield Town are still searching for their first goal of the new season after being held to a goal-less draw by Exeter City at Field Mill last weekend. The Stags had gone into the game having lost 2-0 in both the league and cup and although they have now put their first point on the board they will be disappointed not to have found the net yet. Manager Paul Cox made five changes to his starting line-up last time out with defenders Martin Riley and Richie Sutton both handed recalls. Midfielder Jamie McGuire returned to the centre of the park whilst recent signings Calvin Andrew and Ollie Palmer were both given their full debuts as they partnered each other in attack. Midfielders Adam Murray and Lee Stevenson and striker Matt Rhead dropped to the bench whilst defender John McCombe and striker Ross Dyer were both left out of the squad altogether. Paul Cox also decided not to name a goalkeeper on the bench. He has no new injury concerns ahead of the weekend and remains without the services of midfielder Kieran Murtagh. He will have to wait to make his debut after picking up a knee ligament injury and will miss the reunion with one of his former clubs. It will be interesting to see how Palmer performs as he was scouted extensively by the Blues during Gary Waddock's time at the club. Mansfield Town could line up as follows: (4-4-2): Alan Marriott Richie Sutton - John Dempster - Martin Riley - James Jennings Lee Beevers - Anthony Howell - Jamie McGuire - Sam Clucas Ollie Palmer - Calvin Andrew Subs: Ryan Tafazolli, Adam Murray, Lee Stevenson, Louis Briscoe, Jake Speight, Lindon Meikle, Matt Rhead Here are some stats... Wycombe's record last season Home - W:8 D:7 L:8 GF:27 GA:24 Pts:31 Away - W:9 D:2 L:12 GF:23 GA:36 Pts:29 Total - W:17 D:9 L:20 GF:50 GA:60 Pts:60 Final position: 15th in League Two Mansfield's record last season Home - W:17 D:3 L:3 GF:53 GA:17 Pts:54 Away - W:13 D:2 L:8 GF:39 GA:35 Pts:41 Total - W:30 D:5 L:11 GF:92 GA:52 Pts:95 Final position: Conference Champions The current table shows Wycombe in 13th place with 3 points and Mansfield in 19th spot with 1 point, both sides having played only 2 league games. Wycombe's season so far Lg2: Morecambe (H)......Won 1-0 Lgcp Leicester (H)..........Lost 1-2 Lg2: Wimbledon (A).......Lost 0-1 Mansfield's season so far Lg2: Scunthorpe (A)......Lost 0-2 Lgcp Tranmere (A)........Lost 0-2 Lg2: Exeter (H)...........Drew 0-0 Wycombe Goal Scorers - (All Competitions) Paris Cowan-Hall.......1 Jo Kuffour.................1 Mansfield Goal Scorers - (All Competitions) No scorers as yet Wycombe Shooting (Top-4) - (All Competitions) Dean Morgan.......4 on-target...5 off-target...0 against woodwork Charles Dunne.....1 on-target...2 off-target...0 against woodwork Matt Spring..........1 on-target...2 off-target...0 against woodwork J.P. Pittman.........1 on-target...2 off-target...0 against woodwork Mansfield Shooting (Top-3) - (All Competitions) Sam Clucas..........2 on-target...7 off-target...0 against woodwork James Jennings.....2 on-target...3 off-target...0 against woodwork Calvin Andrew......1 on-target...4 off-target...0 against woodwork Shooting (Club) - League only - Source: Football League Wycombe........8 on target...14 off target...0 against w'work (Rank-12) Mansfield.........3 on target...19 off target...0 against w'work (Rank-13) Discipline - (All Competitions) Wycombe..........1 Red Cards - 4 Yellow Cards Mansfield...........0 Red Cards - 3 Yellow Cards Previous Meetings In 14 previous meetings there have been 5 wins for Wycombe, 4 for Mansfield and 5 draws. At Adams Park the tally is 2 wins for the Chairboys, 1 win for the Stags and 4 draws. 1993/94 Lg2: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 0 2002/03 Lg1: Wycombe 3 Mansfield 3 2003/04 FAC: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 1 2004/05 Lg2: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 1 2005/06 Lg2: Wycombe 2 Mansfield 2 2006/07 Lg2: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 0 2007/08 Lg2: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 2 The Man In The Middle Saturday's referee is Keith Hill from Hertfordshire was promoted to the National List of Referees in 1998. His last Wycombe game was a 6-3 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers in the JPT in November 2010. This match was notable for two hat-tricks, one for the Chairboys' former striker Scott Rendell and the other for Rovers' front-man Jo Kuffour who has since joined the Blues. So far this season Mr Hill has issued 1 red and 8 yellow cards in 3 games. Predictions Benny: No prediction provided Len: Wycombe 1 Mansfield 1 ------------------- |
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