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Archived News from January 2017

EVANS ON WYCOMBE AND ON £300 BID (NOT PAUL TAYLOR)
27th January 2017 19:17


Stags prepared for Wycombe battle
mansfieldtown.net, 23rd January 2017

Stags’ boss Steve Evans says he is expecting a physical contest tomorrow evening when his side battle with Wycombe Wanderers for a place in the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy.

The Chairboys visit One Call Stadium tomorrow (7.45pm kick-off) in the quarter finals of the Checkatrade Trophy with both sides currently enjoying a good run of form. Stags are yet to taste defeat in 2017 and are on a six-match unbeaten run which has included conceding just two goals. Wycombe, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions after last falling to defeat in October 2016 against Barnet.

And the boss says he is expecting a physical encounter against Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe as the two sides vie for a a semi-final berth.

“The one thing the Wycombe Wanderers’ players will realise, I can say it now before they get on the coach, this game will be physical tomorrow night," the Stags' chief said.

“It’s an important game for us and it’s an important game for Wycombe Wanderers. They have a big week and we have a big week. They obviously have two cup ties; they’ve got ourselves and then they go to Tottenham.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/manager-expecting-physical-battle-against-wycombe-3534506.aspx#4UjgJaqZAwpJBMdL.99

“For us, it’s important so we’ll be physical and we’ll be strong and if it ends up that they can’t come through it and they miss the Tottenham game, so be it. I’m sure Gareth will have addressed his players like that.”

The gaffer is refusing to look too far ahead with a potential Wembley visit just two games away, instead placing his entire focus on tomorrow night’s quarter final.

“I only look at it as there’s two teams in it at the minute - there’s us and Wycombe. I don’t think we can affect whatever happens with the other six teams, but we can affect what happens tomorrow night and we can get ourselves in the draw for the semi-finals.

“We have to earn that; no-one’s going to give us that, no-one’s going to give Wycombe it. It’s a real tough game for us. We’re playing a team in League Two who are higher up in the table than us by some way, that are 15 games unbeaten and are playing with real confidence.”

After stating on Friday afternoon that he’d placed negotiations for a number of players on hold, the Stags’ chief has provided an update on the player who he was set to speak to on Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve had a chat and he’s gone back in for a further chat with his club today. I’ve told him I’ll pick him up on Wednesday, as in pick it up with him, not pick him up!

“He’s gone for a chat with his club today and I don’t really want to talk to him now, I want to leave him with the conversation we’ve had and I want to have real focus on the Wycombe Wanderers game.”

The former Leeds United manager revealed that the club with which a £300,000 bid has been lodged for one of their players has until Wednesday to either accept or decline the offer, whilst also dismissing the rumours that the bid was for Peterborough United forward Paul Taylor.

“The deadline we’ve given them is Wednesday and if we don’t hear anything back on Wednesday, my recommendation to John Radford is we’ll walk away.

“We made our bid with respect via the chairman and we have to be treated with respect. We gave a deadline and we have to stick to that deadline, otherwise don’t put a deadline on it.”

Stags will be without new signings Joel Byrom, Ben Whiteman, Hayden White and Shaquile Coulthirst for the Checkatrade Trophy fixture as they are all cup-tied after appearing for their former clubs in previous rounds, meaning boss Steve Evans will make changes to the side which beat Cambridge United at the weekend.

Finally, the boss has urged supporters to continue their fantastic backing of the Stags in recent weeks by turning out in high numbers for tomorrow’s game against Wycombe.

“Stags’ fans have been tremendous. We’re going to need our supporters to come out in good numbers tomorrow night. We know it’s a competition that’s not graced delights in the early parts of it, but when you get to the later stages of it, it’s important for the club. It’s important for the town and if we can have a big performance tomorrow night, it will be about what we do. If we have a big performance, we’ll be in the next round.”

Supporters can view manager Steve Evans’ news conference, in full, on Stags PlayerHD.

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Stags wait on record bid, but boss denies it is Posh striker Taylor
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 23 January 2017

Mansfield Town today continued to wait on decisions over two main transfer targets, one a club record £300,000 bid.

But as supporters speculated over the identity of the player involved in the huge bid, boss Steve Evans denied it was Peterborough striker Paul Taylor. Evans also has an agreement in place for another player, with no fee involved, and is now expecting decisions on both on Wednesday after tomorrow night’s big Checkatrade Trophy at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

The local press in Peterborough said that a reported offer from Mansfield of £200,000 for Taylor was turned down and boss Grant McCann had issued a ‘hands-off’ warning over Taylor.

Evans did not elaborate on that story other than to say his £300,000 bid was for a different player.

“It’s not Paul Taylor,” he said. “He is a young man who is a very good player, but it’s unfair for me to say anything other than that.

“He is a top player and he belongs to Darragh MacAnthony and Grant McCann. That’s the way it should be. Until that changes we don’t talk about him any more.”

Evans continued: “The bid is for another player.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-wait-on-record-bid-but-boss-denies-it-is-posh-striker-taylor-1-8349128

“The deadline we have given them is Wednesday and if we don’t hear anything back on Wednesday then my recommendation to John Radford is we will walk away.

“We have to. We made our bid with respect and we have to be treated with respect. We gave a deadline and we have to stick with that deadline - otherwise don’t put a deadline on it.

“He is a young man we’ve watched a few times. He is a talented boy who’s got something to bring and gives the opportunity, we think, for the chairman in the future to make some money.

“I think he will be an investment rather than just buying someone for short term gain.

“It would be for longer term, but it would be someone who I think would light up our performances even more - and we’ve been good in recent weeks.

“This would help the group as we have some talent in that dressing room - which we saw on Saturday.”

Evans confirmed he had spoken further with another target yesterday and explained: “We’ve had a chat and he’s gone back in for a further chat with his club today.

“I have told him I will pick it back up on Wednesday. I doesn’t really want to talk with him now. I want to leave him with the conversation we’ve had as I want a real focus on the Wycombe Wanderers game.

“I don’t really want to give any clues as it means if we don’t get him someone else might try to get him. But he is a talented player for sure.

“He won’t be a fee. He currently has 18 months of a contract to run, so we we would look to take that over.”

Along with those two, Evans is looking to add one more loan player and has a couple of irons in the fire with the possibility of one of the current squad heading out on loan too. “You have to live in a world that clubs are trying to do some other business. It’s like buying a house - sometimes you’re in a chain,” he said. “We’ve all been in that position and you have to respect it and move on. “I have said to other managers that have asked about one or two of ours, if you don’t want to wait then move on and get someone else. “We are trying desperately hard to make sure the majority, if not all, of this group, maybe bar the odd exception, stays put and we just add some quality to it.”

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MATCH PREVIEW: Tough task as Stags try to edge nearer a Wembley final
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 23 January 2017

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans said his side were underdogs tomorrow when they face in-form Wycombe Wanderers at home in the quarter-final of the Checkatrade Trophy (7.45pm).

Wycombe are now 15 games unbeaten, stretching back to a defeat in this competition on 9th November, and firmly in the League Two play-off hunt in fifth. But Stags know Wycombe will also have one eye on their big FA Cup fourth round tie at Tottenham on Saturday and Evans promised them a physical battle tomorrow with both sides just two games from a Wembley final. “It’s a really tough game for us,” he said. “We are playing a team that’s higher up in League Two than us by some way. “They are 15 games unbeaten, playing with real confidence, and have some excellent players. “They have some players that people are trying to buy and Wycombe keep saying no. So that tells you the standards they’ve got are pretty high and our task is pretty tough.

“It probably tells you that Wycombe Wanderers will come to the One Call and start as favourites.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/match-preview-tough-task-as-stags-try-to-edge-nearer-a-wembley-final-1-8349452

“But Cambridge United started as favourites on Saturday and we undid that.

“We are at home, but unusual for us for my teams at home, we will be the second favourites.”

Evans continued: “It is an important game for us and it’s an important game for Wycombe Wanderers. They have a big week and we have a big week.

“They have two cup ties. They’ve got ourselves and then they go to Tottenham, and the one thing the Wycombe Wanderers players will realise, and I can say it now before they get on the coach, is this game will be physical tomorrow night.

“We will see a direct style from Wycombe.

“But we will be strong and physical and if it ends up they (Wycombe players) can’t come through it and miss the Tottenham game then so be it. I am sure Gareth (boss Ainsworth) will have addressed his players, he is a good manager.

“I am looking forward to seeing him, he is a good friend of mine as are his family. It will be a good cup tie played by, I think, two good sides.”

Wanderers’ current run of success has hugely impressed Evans who said: “It is testament to Gareth Ainsworth.

“Since he first got the job I have been mightily impressed with some of the work they’ve done.

“The chairman, of course, is a massive Leeds United fan and we helped them when I was manager of Leeds. We took a team down to Wycombe in the international break and I think they got a good crowd from it and some much needed revenue at the time.

“So there are excellent relationships behind the scenes.

“Any manager that can get his team to go 15 matches without defeat is doing lots more right than he is ever getting wrong.”

Both sides now have to get their team selections right with an eye on the weekend.

“Gareth will want to progress in the competition,” said Evans.

“He may have one or two he chooses not to use as can they do the intensity of tomorrow and then the intensity at White Hart Lane? I am not so sure they can. But that’s for him and I can only worry about the Stags.” Mansfield will be without cup-tied quartet Joel Byrom, Ben Whiteman, Hayden White and Shaq Coulthirst and, having to field at least five of your starting XI from the weekend, will have limited options.

Evans said: “We are going to change personnel. Some are forced because the lads are cup tied and some won’t be forced, but we are going to make some changes.”

Ending Wycombe’s unbeaten run tomorrow is a tall order, but Stags ended Cambridge’s eight-game unbeaten run away from home with something to spare on Saturday so are going into this one full of confidence.

“To end Cambridge’s run, first and foremost, was very tough,” he said.

“We had to produce a really good performance and I think we were the better side in the second half.

“But there wasn’t a lot in it and it’s a team I still firmly believe will be in the play-offs at the end of the season.

“Wycombe Wanderers are another one I can see being in there. You don’t go 15 games unbeaten and have no prize at the end of it.

“Their prize has been in cup competitions so far as they’re still in this competition and still in the FA Cup with a magical draw.

“I am sure that the proceeds when they arrive next week from that draw will help Gareth Ainsworth and his chairman continue to stabilise the football club.

“It’s pleasing to see them doing so well. But, obviously we don’t want them to make any further progress in the Checkatrade Trophy tomorrow night.

“We can get ourselves in the draw for the semi-finals, but we have to earn that. No one is going to give us that. No one is going to give it Wycombe either.”

Stags put covers onto the pitch today with temperatures expected to hit zero or below tonight.

But Evans insisted: “The game will be on. The pitch is perfect underneath.

“We trained next to the stadium today and, even without covers, that was fine.

“Those covers will make sure and the ground staff here are excellent. Looking at the forecast I have no doubt the game will be on.”

He added: “We need supporters to come out in good numbers tomorrow night.

“We know it’s a competition there is no great excitement in the early part of it. But when to get to the later stages of it, it’s important to the club and it’s important for the town.

“It’s then about what we do. If we can have a big performance tomorrow night we’ll be in the next round.”

Admission to the game is just £10 adults and £5 concessions.

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Full interview on StagsPlayerHD:

Evans spends a good few minutes talking about direct football and his views on it, very interesting.
He also says if we get into the play-off zone by the Hartlepool game by beating Leyton Orient, by getting a positive result at Barnet ... "with that far to go in the season, I'll get us up".

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Carolyn Radford on facebook, 23 Jan 2017, 9pm
(on the £300k bid for a player)
Tony, not Costa unfortunately but it's gonna Costa-a-packet. Bids been increased well over £300k now



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Latest | January 2017