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Archived News from October 2014

STAGS DEMAND RESPONSE TO STEVENAGE FLOP
6th October 2014 13:13



video interview with Adam Murray, 30 September 2014
http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/4183933/date/20140930172500/page/0/name/video--mid-week-news-conference-with-adam-murray

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Stags demand response to Stevenage flop
chad.co.uk, 30 September 2014

Mansfield Town’s players will be expected to produce a reaction to last weekend’s dismal 3-0 flop at Stevenage when in-form Accrington Stanley visit One Call Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stags-demand-response-to-stevenage-flop-1-6869091

Mansfield, who will be up against a Stanley side that have won four of their last five matches, all but lost the game at Stevenage inside the first five minutes, when they went 2-0 down, then turned in a toothless second half that saw the management and players locked in the dressing room for a 45-minute inquest afterwards.

Skipper and assistant manager Adam Murray, who is 33 today, said: “To put it bluntly I think it was just awful on Saturday and I can’t make any excuses.

“It was one of those days when everything that could go wrong went wrong.

“We had a really productive meeting yesterday when players and staff got a lot out on the table and came out focused.

“We are now looking for a reaction on Saturday. We need to get back to winning ways and we are at home where we have been half-decent so far.”

He added: “We have won five and lost five which says it all really.

“I don’t think it’s a bad start but it’s not a great start. It’s where we are as a team and product.

“We are not quite ready to make the step-up to the top seven. We have not got that consistency yet.

“We have a lot of potential to get to the next level. We need to move up there and stay there by being consistent week in, week out.

“That means at tough places to go like Stevenage, we grind it out and get at least a draw. We can’t afford to have off days like Saturday.”

Stags were rocked last season when Accrington came from 2-1 down in stoppage time at the end to pull off an unlikely 3-2 victory. And they have certainly improved this season after a poor start with former boss John Coleman returning to the helm two weeks ago.

“A lot has happened since last year,” said Murray. “But they have a new manager and we know they are on a bit of a wave with the buzz of a new manager coming in with new ideas.”

Stags’ injury list gets no better with Ryan Tafazolli now having treatment for a shoulder injury from Saturday and John Dempster suffering a setback with his groin injury.

Tafazolli sprained a joint in his shoulder early in the game at Stevenage and played on to the end in pain.

Dempster’s injury flared up again in the warm-up and he will be seeing a specialist this week for more advice.

Mansfield hope another shoulder injury victim, Fergus Bell, may be fit enough to return, and Stags continue to pursue a left-sided player, believed to be at a Championship club, to bolster the squad.

Murray said: “I think the gaffer is a little bit further on now and has been talking to the club and player’s representative. We hope to hear something more today and it would be good if something could be done before the weekend.”

Mansfield Town fans - don’t miss Chad’s weekly video chat show Stags Talk - available at http://www.chad.co.uk every Friday - with John Lomas and Stephen Thirkill in conversation about the week’s happenings at One Call stadium plus the occasional special guest.

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Mansfield Town have injury concern over Ryan Tafazolli
Nottingham Post, October 01, 2014

DEFENDER Ryan Tafazolli is an early injury doubt for Mansfield Town's home game with Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Mansfield-Town-injury-concern-Ryan-Tafazolli/story-23023332-detail/story.html#ixzz3Evros85A

The 23-year-old (pictured) was left in pain when he picked up a shoulder sprain in the 3-0 loss at Stevenage.

And boss Paul Cox must wait to see if he is fit enough to take part at the One Call Stadium.

"It's a grade one sprain of a joint," said assistant manager Adam Murray.

"It is painful for Taf, but sometimes, as a centre-half, it's one of those where you have to grind it out, have a little bit of steel about you and get on with it.

"Hopefully he'll be fit for the weekend.

"Taf has been a really big part of what we've done this season so far.

"We need him on the pitch, but if he doesn't feel he's right to play, that's something the gaffer will have to look at."

Fellow defender John Dempster is also on the injury list and will see a specialist after suffering a 'setback' in his recovery from a groin problem, but midfielder Fergus Bell (shoulder) has returned to training this week.

Murray also revealed the Stags could have a new addition before the weekend as Cox continues to make progress with his pursuit of a left-sided player.

"I think the gaffer is a little bit further down the line with the lad he's been talking to and his club and representatives," he said.

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