Archived News from August 2014
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Murray ready for hard-fought battle against Newport
mansfieldtown.net, 18th August 2014 Mansfield Town captain/assistant manager Adam Murray is ready for another physical battle with Newport County when the Welsh outfit travel to One Call Stadium tomorrow night (7.45pm). Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/murray-ready-for-hard-fought-battle-against-newport-1836695.aspx#vB2upF9dO1sF37tt.99 Stags have been forced to fight hard against Justin Edinburgh's resillient Newport in recent years, and Murray is expecting tomorrow's encounter to be no different. The Welsh side are yet to record their first win of the current campaign, after they lost at home to Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day and then at Morecambe on Saturday. Speaking at this morning's press meeting, Murray, who came off the bench to grab the match winner at home to Oxford United, said: “Every game we have with Newport is a battle. They're a team that has a good structure, good organisation, they’re physical and like ourselves they play to their strengths.” “Every time we’ve come across them over the last few years we’ve had some right good 'ding-dongs' and I expect nothing to be different tomorrow.” The 32-year-old is also welcoming the return of frontman Matt Rhead, who is now available for selection after a four match suspension. Murray said: “The kind of team we are and the way we structure things, Matt’s a focal point for us. He’s a good player [to come in] and at the right time with the numbers situation.” Reflecting finally on Saturday's first win of the season, Murray believes that Saturday’s win is a good platform for us to build on. “To get that win on the board was massive because we didn’t want to go on saying 'we’re playing well' and having no points on the board, so it’s a great platform for us now. “I think we made it bit of a tougher game than it was second half. [In the] first half we dominated and maybe should’ve taken a couple more of our chances, but three points are on the board and we look to push on now.” Following the news that Liam Hearn will be out until Christmas with a new knee injury, Murray is hopeful that the Stags will be able to find a replacement: “The gaffer will have discussions with the board and the chairman to see what we can do.” In addition to the return of Matt Rhead the Stags also managed to come out of Saturday’s win against Oxford unscathed, with no new injury concerns: “We’ve still got Martin Riley who’s having more tests today (groin) and obviously Ollie Palmer’s (ankle) not 100% but there's nothing new from the weekend,” he added. View Adam murray's press meeting now on Stags Player. ---------------- Adam Murray expects Mansfield Town to face tough battle against Newport County chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk, 18 August 2014 Adam Murray expects a ‘ding-dong’ battle when Mansfield Town lock Horns with Newport County. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/adam-murray-expects-mansfield-town-to-face-tough-battle-against-newport-county-1-6791670 Stags will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce when they entertain Justin Edinburgh’s Welshmen on Tuesday night. But Murray, who hit a memorable winner to earn Mansfield victory against Oxford on Saturday, knows the injury-hit Stags will have to fight all the way against Newport. “It is going to be a battle and will be total opposite of the game on Saturday,” said Murray. “Newport are a physical team, they have got a good structure and they play to their strengths like we do. “We have had some real ding-dong battles with them in recent seasons and it will be the same on Tuesday.” Mansfield go into the game without star striker Liam Hearn after he was ruled out until after Christmas with a torn cartilage in his knee. But big striker Matt Rhead will be available after serving the last match of his suspension at the weekend. “We have seen what we have been missing in our opening games and Rheady will give us the focal point that we need,” added Murray. “He can’t wait to get going and has worked hard on his fitness over the last few weeks. “The lads got a good victory on Saturday and the gaffer has got a real decision to make. “Rheady is a good player to have for a game like this, it is the right time for him to come back. “The Oxford win has now given us the platform to build upon. “There were a lot of positives to take out of the first two games and this is now a chance to build on that momentum.” ---------------------- Boss Paul Cox to discuss Liam Hearn replacement with Mansfield Town chairman John Radford chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk, 18 August 2014 Paul Cox is to meet with Mansfield Town owner John Radford and fellow board members as he bids to bring in a replacement for the injured Liam Hearn. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/boss-paul-cox-to-discuss-liam-hearn-replacement-with-mansfield-town-chairman-john-radford-1-6791398 Hitman Hearn is expected to be out until after Christmas after scans revealed he has torn cartilage in his knee during the Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield United. The injury is a massive blow to both player and club and leaves Mansfield Town’s threadbare squad even more depleted. Speaking during Monday’s press conference assistant manager Adam Murray said: “The gaffer will meet with the board and John Radford and see what we can do. “We are down the bare bones at the moment and are struggling with injuries. We are currently working hard to get our injured players back fit.” Stags have also been hit by the news that Birmingham City have recalled left-back Amari’i Bell from his loan deal at One Call Stadium. Added Murray: “We do not know the ins and outs of the recall at the moment, we will find that out later. It means we are even lower on numbers. “We will see what we can do about the numbers. At the moment is it what we can do not what we want to do.” Mansfield picked up their first win of the campaign at home to Oxford on Saturday after Adam Murray hit the winner with just two minutes on the clock. Stags face Newport County on Tuesday night and are likely to feature Matt Rhead in the starting line-up after the big striker served the last match of his suspension on Saturday. ---------------- |
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