Archived News from November 2013
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NO APPEAL ON ALABI RED
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5 Nov 2013
twitter Mansfield Town FC @mansfieldtownfc Paul Cox will not be appealing against the red card given to James Alabi at Southend last Friday, the manager revealed today. More to follow ------------------ full video interview with Paul Cox http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/3524737/date/20131105132000/page/0/name/Video:-Cox-on-Alabi,-reserves-and-FA-Cup -------------------- free short segment of video interview with Paul Cox (including footage of goals versus Doncaster reserves) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3qdrOULBCY -------------------- Alabi suspended for three games mansfieldtown.net, 5th November 2013 Loan signing James Alabi will miss the next three matches after we have decided not to appeal the red card issued to the 18-year-old on Friday night at Southend. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/alabi-suspended-for-three-games-1156590.aspx?#jvASu5oxRbilvhCJ.99 Manager Paul Cox confirmed the news at a mid-week news conference this morning. Alabi was sent off in last Friday's 3-0 defeat at Southend United, just over 24 hours after putting pen to paper on a one month loan deal from Stoke City. He was given a straight red card for serious foul play in the 24th minute of the contest. After reviewing the film of the incident and deliberating the decision with officials in the world of football, Cox said; "I've taken a lot of advice and have spoken to a lot of people in and around the FA. Even though they have said it [the decision] was harsh, which we all believe it was, you have to prove the referee made a mistake. A lot of people high up in professional positions have said that would be hard [to prove]. "I feel for the kid, because I thought he looked as though he had a lot going for him in the first 20 minutes or so. Alabi looks set to miss out on matches against St Albans City, Oxford United and Fleetwood Town, after which time his loan will expire. On his short term future this month at One Call Stadium, Cox added: "I've tried to speak to Stoke this morning, We will have to get our heads together and work out the best scenario for both parties. He [James Alabi[] has been to train with us this morning. Until we speak to Stoke, it is up in the air at the moment." ----------------- Cox calls for a response mansfieldtown.net, 5th November 2013 Paul Cox has called on his players to put their disappointing defeat to Southend behind them and redouble their effort against St Albans City this weekend. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-calls-for-a-response-1156831.aspx?#hy9a1x3WQpGmAVRb.99 Cox's side fell to a 3-0 loss in Essex last Friday, but look to bounce back this weekend when we travel 118 miles to Clarence Park for the FA Cup with Budweiser First Round. "I want a response, mentally, physically, from every aspect of our game," said the manager, speaking at a mid-week news conference this morning. "We need a response from Friday [at Southend] and I hope I can get that from our players. "It doesn't matter who we're playing on Saturday, whether it be Manchester United or a team from non-league, with all due respect. It's a game we want to win and bounce back. Cox will be forced into making changes to his starting 11, following the suspensions of defender Lee Beevers and forward James Alabi, and hinted at the possibility of some surprise inclusions in Saturday's line-up. "I won't make panic decisions but sometimes you have to shake the pack up. "I hope there's a few 'wounded' players in terms of their personal pride. I have always maintained that we have an honest group of players here and they have worked extremely hard this season, but we need a response and need to get back to winning ways. "I still maintain that we have got off to a half-decent start, but what I want more than anything is consistent performances." In early team news, Chris Clements could resume training as early as next week, along with defender Martin Riley. Centre-half Ryan Tafazolli may return to training at the end of this week, while forward Ben Hutchinson is a doubt because of a groin injury. --------------------------- No appeal against red card for Mansfield Town loanee Alabi chad.co.uk, 05 November 2013 Mansfield Town will not be appealing against on-loan striker James Alabi’s red card after just 31 minutes of his debut in Friday night’s 3-0 defeat at Southend United. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/no-appeal-against-red-card-for-mansfield-town-loanee-alabi-1-6216035#.UnjfYyo2Dow.twitter It means the 18-year-old must now sit out three games of his month on loan from Stoke City, and manager Paul Cox is waiting to speak to the Potters before deciding his next move with a youngster he rates highly. Stags ended the night with nine men after Lee Beevers was also sent off, but Cox still believes Alabi was unlucky to be red-carded for his clumsy challenge on Luke Prosser. He said: “I have taken a lot of advice and spoken to a lot of people in and around the FA. Even though they said it looked harsh, you have to prove the referee made a mistake and a lot of people in high-up positions said that would be hard. “I feel for the kid as he looked as though he had a lot going for him in that first 15-20 minutes. “He showed a lot of promise. We threw him in at the deep end on Friday night, having only trained with his team mates a couple of times. “But he gave us a glimpse of how powerful he is and, if he had been a bit cleverer, he might have got a penalty early on when he burst into the box. “I like the kid and think he is full of potential. But we have got to be respectful that he is a Stoke City player. Until I can gauge what they would like to do with the lad, we have to be careful.” Now Cox will speak to Stoke and see what the best way forward is with Alabi or if he needs to be looking elsewhere. Cox said: “I have tried to speak to Stoke again. We are going to have to get our heads together and decide the best scenario for both parties. Nothing has been agreed as yet so it’s all up in the air. “It seems a bit harsh to say we need a replacement, but it has put us on the back foot with bringing in a centre forward then losing him for three weeks. “I hope within the next two or three days I will have something positive.” ------------------------- Stags boss Cox demands ‘response’ for FA Cup tie chad.co.uk Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox has ordered his players to produce a ‘response’ from Friday night’s 3-0 setback at Southend when they face a potential FA Cup First Round banana skin at St Albans City on Saturday (3pm). http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-boss-cox-demands-response-for-fa-cup-tie-1-6217143 The Calor Southern League Premier side, three levels below Mansfield, provide Cox’s men with their first hurdle in this year’s competition as the Stags try to emulate last year’s superb cup run, which ended with a narrow home Third Round defeat by Liverpool. But Cox has threatened to make changes after seeing his charges tamely surrender 3-0 at Southend last weekend, where they were also shown two red cards. Said Cox: “Friday was not like us. If I didn’t come away from that talking about other options I wouldn’t be doing my job. I don’t think that was a Mansfield Town performance. “It doesn’t matter who we play this weekend. A response is needed whether we are up against Manchester United or a team from non-League, with all due respect. “We need to go out, win and bounce back. I am hoping a few players had their personal pride wounded on Friday. “They are an honest bunch who don’t intentionally go out and not perform and Friday was only the second time this year I have had to question them.” He added: “Look at our FA Cup run last year. It is embedded in the memory. But we had some rough times in the earlier rounds and needed replays almost every round. “All I told the lads every time was just make sure you are in the hat for the next round. That will be the same on Saturday. “I have been a giantkiller with Eastwood when we beat some very good League opposition, and it’s all about mindset. “If we were on a run of four straight wins we could be going into this game over-confident. “But St Albans are a good footballing side. They will be a stern test and it is a tough place to go. This is their cup final and they will be full of adrenalin. I hope we will be as well.” A 2-0 midweek reserve win over Doncaster has given Cox options and he said: “I had boys out there really champing at the bit. “I won’t make panic decisions but, ultimately, I need to respond to Friday. There was an unbelievable desire to get in the side and that has brought a smile back to my face. I know I have some hungry boys here. “It’s not about being a name. It’s about having the desire to win, play well and be successful. “There may be a few surprises on Saturday. Sometimes you have to shake the pack up. “I still think we have made a half-decent start in a tough league. What I want more than anything is consistent performances. We have played quite well at times recently but not been winning games we should have won on chances created.” The Saints went through October unbeaten, including a win over higher league opposition in Tonbridge Angels in the FA Cup, and this is their fourth home draw in five FA Cup games so far to reach this stage. Boss James Gray warned: We’re on a good run and in a good place at the moment.” A 3-3 FA Trophy draw with Billericay on Saturday meant the part-timers faced a replay last night. On Saturday, Stags will be without suspended trio James Alabi, Lee Beevers and John Dempster as well as injured quartet Martin Riley, Ben Hutchinson, Chris Clements and Ryan Tafazolli. Hutchinson is having a scan on a groin problem this week. --------------------- St Albans City target FA Cup upset against Mansfield Town stalbansreview.co.uk, Tuesday 5th November 2013, By Adam Newson St Albans City joint manager James Gray believes his side can shock Mansfield Town in the FA Cup first round this weekend and says the Saints can relax against their League Two opponents. http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/localsport/10785582._/? A big crowd is anticipated at Clarence Park on Saturday as St Albans bid to make the second stage of the competition. Mansfield are currently 14th in League Two and have taken 21 points from their 15 games. However, the Stags have not won in their last six league matches and were beaten 3-0 by Southend United last time out. Gray says the pressure will be on the visitors and believes that will enable the Saints to play with freedom. He said: “They are a Football League side who are expected to come and win the game, all the pressure is on them. “So we can relax a little and play our football. It is not going to be easy, there is no doubt about that, but if we play well then you never know what will happen on the day. There is always that chance of causing an upset.” He continued: “It will be a game where we do not have to motivate the players because they will be motivated by the occasion. “We’re expecting a crowd of around 2,000 and that will be very important for us. “There will be a few Mansfield fans coming down but if the supporters are behind us and singing then that will only help us.” With such a big crowd expected Gray was asked whether his players may be overawed. The joint manager replied: “I don’t think that will be an issue. A lot of our players have played in big matches before so I don’t think they will be fazed by the crowd.” If the Saints are able to pull off a cup shock they will be awarded £18,000 in prize money. Gray admits a victory would “set the club up for the rest of the season” and added: “If we could cause an upset then it would be massive for the club. “For Graham (Golds) and myself it is our first season in charge and to be in the first round of the FA Cup is massive for us and the club. “Some managers can be in charge for years and not reach this stage, so for us it is a big achievement and we will make sure the players give it a good go.” The Saints will have three days to prepare for the game after they were forced into an FA Trophy replay against Billericay Town. The first match between the two sides on Saturday ended 3-3 after the visitors grabbed a late equaliser at Clarence Park. Glenn Poole converted a penalty to put Billericay ahead but the score was levelled when Mark Nwokeji flicked home a cross. Junior Luke then netted a header for Billericay but from that point the Saints took control. Nwokeji grabbed his second of the game after he fired through the legs of goalkeeper Billy Lumley and the home side went ahead when prolific striker John Frendo unleashed a sumptuous left-footed volley from 18 yards into the net. However, Billericay scored an equaliser with just one minute remaining. Substitute James Robinson charged down the wing and delivered a low ball across the edge of the penalty area. The pass fell to Poole and he drilled a left-footed shot past Bastock. The two sides meet again tonight with a second round tie against Chelmsford City awaiting either side. The Harpenden Construction Limited October 2013 Player of the Month is James Comley. His award was presented, prior to the game against Billericay Town, by John Worby on behalf of the sponsor Climatic Ten. -------------------- |
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