Archived News from September 2017
|
EVANS ON INJURIES / TEAM BUS ATTACKED AT LINCOLN
|
 |
|
Boss anticipates duo to play at Burton
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 18 September 2017 Stags' boss Steve Evans expects striker Jimmy Spencer and defender Rhys Bennett to be involved in a strong Mansfield Town side in tomorrow's Central League Cup tie against Burton Albion at St George's Park (1.00pm kick-off). Our second string will take on the Brewers in our opening Central League Cup clash of the season tomorrow and we will be providing blow-by-blow updates of the encounter on our Twitter feed (@mansfieldtownfc), as the match will be played behind-closed-doors. And after Spencer (back injury) and Bennett (ill) missed Saturday's Sky Bet League Two victory over Lincoln City, the gaffer hopes to see them return to action at St George's Park tomorrow. "It seems to have been a bit of a spasm in his (Jimmy Spencer) back. If he trains today, he'll be involved with the reserves at Burton tomorrow," the Stags' chief said. "We want to see him train of course. He was in yesterday and the physios released him and he felt a lot more comfortable. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/september/evans-18-sept/ "I'm hoping to see Rhys bright and cheerful this morning. He's a big lad, he's a big presence and a good character in our dressing room and we've got a lot of time for Rhys. Hopefully, as well, he's at Burton. "It will be the players on the bench and the players that need some game-time [who will be involved at Burton]. The days are gone where the players hate playing reserve games here. We're not Manchester United or Manchester City where we can send the 21s, we're not that type of club. We need our players to be playing competitive minutes and I know what Nigel Clough stands for. "It might be a little weaker from their point of view, given they're at Old Trafford [against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup] on Wednesday and he'll want to take his 18-20 players to Manchester." Midfielder Joel Byrom, however, will be missing for 'two-three' weeks with a foot injury which he picked up in last week's draw with Wycombe Wanderers. The gaffer said: "Joel will be [out for] two or three weeks. We've got him in a protective boot so people might see him around the town in a protective boot, that's just to protect the strain of the injury. "He's improved since it was happening almost a week ago against Wycombe. Joel will [out for] two or three weeks but when he comes back - I've often said about players when they go out for two, three or four weeks, they come back like a new signing." Young midfielder Jack Thomas joined National League North side Boston United last week and the gaffer hopes the month's loan at The Jakemans Stadium will be a fruitful spell for the 21-year-old. "He has to get some minutes. He's not played, on a regular basis, 90 minutes for far too long. Last season's loan move at the end of the season turned out to be a bit of a disaster for Jack. "He has to be given every opportunity so we did say when we came back in pre-season, if wasn't in the team, he has to go and get some games. He's going to get that at Boston. Boston's a good club with good people, so he's going to get that. "The only thing look for concerning Jack on Saturday was did he start? And how many minutes did he play? I'm not interested in their results, but I'm interested in Jack Thomas getting competitive minutes on the pitch." Supporters will be able to view the manager's news conference on iFollow Stags later this afternoon. ---------------------- Stags team coach attacked after win at Lincoln chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 18 September 2017 Mansfield Town Steve Evans confirmed today that the Stags’ team coach came under attack from Lincoln City supporters after Saturday’s 1-0 derby win at Sincil Bank. Unconfirmed reports suggested a mob of Lincoln fans waited around after the game and missiles, including bottles, were hurled at the coach. Evans refused to confirm details but said: “It wasn’t very nice, but we will leave that to other people. “I think the police and football authorities have enough issues, especially on derby days but it wasn’t very nice. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-team-coach-attacked-after-win-at-lincoln-1-8759370 “It wasn’t long and sustained or anything like that, but it’s always threatening. “I am sure if the police and the authorities are not aware of it they will become aware of it and deal with it in the appropriate manner. “I must admit the police authorities all over the country are under enormous pressure and we’re very, very lucky to have those people that do that for us. “It wasn’t nice but it’s not something I want to elaborate on to be honest.” -------------------- Stags have had the toughest start of all claims boss Evans chad.co.uk, JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans believes Stags have had the toughest start to the season of all the League Two clubs - and it gets no easier when play-off rivals Cambridge United come to town on Saturday. Stags sit fifth, ahead of seventh-place United on goal difference only and Evans said: “It’s another team up there. “We said back in June when we looked at the fixtures that our first 12 League fixtures were the most difficult of anyone in the league. Here’s another one coming to town on Saturday. “They have changed their strategy a little bit and it seems to be working for them. “I know Cambridge particularly well. I’ve known Jez George, their director of football, for about 15-20 years. “We know what Shaun Derry’s teams stand for. They have two big lads up front that give him a fantastic physical presence. They also get a goal. “Anyone who can beat Coventry, having watched it back, with the comfort they did in the second half shows this a really tough game for us.” Three of the last four Stags v Cambridge games at the One Call Stadium have ended 0-0 and Mansfield have not scored a home goal against Cambridge in 379 minutes. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-have-had-the-toughest-start-of-all-claims-boss-evans-1-8763693 --------------------- Another massive week ahead for Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town head into another massive week finally sat in the hallowed League Two play-offs spots. A magnificent 1-0 win in the local derby at Lincoln City finally pushed the pre-season promotion favourites into the mix in fifth place ahead of this Saturday’s tough home clash with seventh-placed Cambridge - the sides separated only on goal difference. There is then little respite as a trip to Cheltenham Town follows on Tuesday before the crucial home local derby with high-flying Notts County four days later. Manager Steve Evans was delighted to finally get a foot into that top seven and ease supporters’ worries, but said it was early days and he was feeling no pressure. “Pressure comes from outside and not from within. It should never comes from within,” he said. “As a manager I’ve been runaway league leaders and won championships with ease - though it’s never with ease at the time. And I’ve been a manager in League Two on a couple of occasions where I’ve had to come from off the pack. “It takes all types. But I really believe in this group of players we’ve got. They will have good days and bad days - we all do that. “But the one thing we will always do in my time here is we will all win together and lose together. “You have to believe, if you have anything about you as a manager, that if you’ve got your recruitment right you’re going to be in the mix.” Stags delighted their army of over 1,400 travelling fans on Saturday as Danny Rose’ goal secured all three points. But Evans was keeping everyone’s feet firmly on the floor. “Like every other week here, we don’t get too high, we don’t get too low,” he said. “My job here as manager is to make sure everyone is focused, whether they started Saturday or not and give everyone an opportunity to be included in next Saturday’s team. “There is some real competition for places here and often if you allow your mind to be sidetracked and listen to different opinions you can make a decision that’s not right to win that game. “We will get to Thursday/Friday and we’ll think about picking and shaping a team for a very difficult game against Cambridge on Saturday.” On the Lincoln result, he added: “It was the most satisfying result of the season because it was the last one. In football you’re often judged by your last game and you judge yourself by your next game. “We have gone away to local rivals that we have enormous respect for and the only real bit of quality in the game got us the victory.” Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/another-massive-week-ahead-for-mansfield-town-1-8763687 --------------- Stags pair out to prove fitness at Burton chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Monday 18 September 2017 Mansfield Town are hoping Jimmy Spencer and Rhys Bennett can prove their fitness in tomorrow’s Central League reserve against Burton Albion at St George’s Park. Both players missed out on Saturday’s 1-0 win at Lincoln City, striker Spencer with a back problem and defender Bennett with illness. On Spencer, boss Steve Evans said: “It seems to have been a bit of a spasm. So if he trains today we play in the reserves at Burton tomorrow. “The plan is if he trains today he will play in that one. He was in yesterday and the physio released him. He felt a bit more comfortable.” On Bennett, he added: “Rhys is fine and we are expecting to see him bright and cheerful this morning. “He is a big presence and a good character in the dressing room. I have a lot of time for Rhys. So hopefully he will be at Burton.” One player who will be out a little longer is midfielder Joel Byrom after picking up a foot injury against Wycombe last week. “Joel will be two or three weeks,” said Evans. “We have got him in a protective boot at the minute so if people see him around the town, it’s just there to protect the strain of the injury. “He has improved since a week ago when he picked it up against Wycombe. “But I have often said when players are out for two, three, four weeks and come back, they’re like a new signing.” Evans intends playing a strong side against the Brewers tomorrow. “It will be the players that were on the bench and the players that need some game time,” he said. “I know what Nigel Clough is about and they had a great win over Fulham on Saturday. “I am sure Nigel will play a strong side, though maybe a bit weaker from their point of view given that they are at Old Trafford on Wednesday. He will want to take his 18-20 players to Manchester.” He added: “We will try to make sure we get enough people some action tomorrow in the reserves, when appropriate, and train properly all week. “We will get to Thursday/Friday and we’ll think about picking and shaping a team for a very difficult game against Cambridge on Saturday.” Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-pair-out-to-prove-fitness-at-burton-1-8760043 ----------------- Boston loan will be good for Thomas says Stags boss chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Jack Thomas began a month’s loan with former Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray with 90 minutes in a 1-1 FA Cup draw with Haughmond on Saturday. The Mansfield Town midfielder is down the pecking order at the One Call Stadium and boss Steve Evans said: “He has to get minutes. He hasn’t played 90 minutes on a regular basis for far too long. “Last season’s loan move at the end of the season (to Barrow) turned out to be a bit of a disaster for Jack. “The boy was in my office on a regular basis almost in tears. “He is a young man who is born and bred Mansfield and wants to play for Mansfield Town. He has to be given every opportunity.” Evans added: “We did say when we came back pre-season that if he wasn’t in the team he had to go and get some games. He is going to get that at Boston. It is a good club with good people. “The only thing I look for concerning Jack on Saturday was did he start and how many minutes did he play? I’m not interested in their results. “I am interested in Jack Thomas getting competitive minutes on the pitch. We have seen he did that.” Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/boston-loan-will-be-good-for-thomas-says-stags-boss-1-8761667 ------------------- Trinity loan extension for Collins? chad.co.uk, JOHN LOMAS Young Stags midfielder Lewis Collins could see his loan at Gainsborough Trinity extended. The current deal ended this week and boss Steve Evans said: “I think there is a couple of other clubs come in for Lewis and I think Gainsborough would like to keep him. “I have got to touch base with the manager at Gainsborough, Dave Frecklington, who is a good guy. “He was very praiseworthy of Lewis. They won 3-1 up at Spennymoor on Saturday so will be looking for Lewis to go back there.” Evans said more young players may still go out on loan. “There might be one or two others who will need to go out and get minutes,” he said. “There are one or two whose minutes are dropping and they need to cement them. “But it won’t be anyone that’s been in the first team in recent weeks. They are all vying for a place.” Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/trinity-loan-extension-for-collins-1-8761655 ----------------- Club Statement redimps.co.uk, 22 September 2017 We have been informed by our counterparts at Mansfield Town that following the game at Sincil Bank on Saturday 16th September at around 4.15pm, the Mansfield team bus was attacked at St. Catherines. As a club we are continuing to liaise with The Stags and Lincolnshire Police regarding the incident, which saw the vehicle attacked by a small group of youths causing damage to the bus and distress to its occupants. The group were said to have thrown objects at the vehicle and aimed verbal abuse at the Mansfield players and staff. Lincoln City fully condemns such actions and will fully co-operate with any investigation into the matter. If you have any information on this, we urge you to contact Lincolnshire Police or you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Read more at https://www.redimps.co.uk/news/2017/september/170922-police-mansfield/ -------------------- 'Hand yourselves in!' - Police warn yobs who attacked Mansfield Town FC bus they WILL be tracked down They caused around £1,000 worth of damage - here's what we know lincolnshirelive.co.uk, BY NICHOLAS FLETCHER, 22 SEP 2017 A gang who attacked the Mansfield Town team bus after Saturday's clash with Lincoln City have been told to hand themselves in. The Stags ran out 1-0 winners in the derby but their manager Steve Evans claimed the club's bus was set upon at Sincil Bank last Saturday, September 16. Now, Lincolnshire Police have confirmed the incident took place with 'five or six' people launching objects at the coach. The bus was so badly damaged, a body panel will need to be replaced at a cost of around £1,000. Superintendent Lee Pache of Lincolnshire Police said the force is pouring over CCTV as officers continued their investigations - but urged the youths to turn themselves over. He said: “We and Lincoln City FC have been informed by Mansfield Town that at around 4.15pm their team bus was attacked at St. Catherine’s. “This attack was carried out by a group of five or six youths and objects, believed to be bottles, were thrown at the bus and have caused approximately £1,000 of damage, as a body panel needs to be replaced. “The group were also extremely abusive to the players and staff on the bus. The boys are believed to be aged between 16 and 18 and one was wearing blue shorts with a grey hoodie. He is approximately 5ft 11 and of a skinny build. “Both we and the club are scanning CCTV to find these individuals but I would encourage them to come forward before we find them by speaking with Lincolnshire Police. If this was you, please accept responsibility and call 101. "We also encourage fans and residents to report information to us. "Although this has been caused by a minority it reflects badly on the city and fans, the vast majority of who behave impeccably every game. Again please call Lincolnshire Police if you can help or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." Read more at http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/gang-youths-attacked-mansfield-bus-519215 Lincoln City has also released a statement on its website condemning the group's actions. It read: "We have been informed by our counterparts at Mansfield Town that following the game at Sincil Bank on Saturday 16th September at around 4.15pm, the Mansfield team bus was attacked at St. Catherines. "As a club we are continuing to liaise with The Stags and Lincolnshire Police regarding the incident, which saw the vehicle attacked by a small group of youths causing damage to the bus and distress to its occupants. "The group were said to have thrown objects at the vehicle and aimed verbal abuse at the Mansfield players and staff. "Lincoln City fully condemns such actions and will fully co-operate with any investigation into the matter." Mansfield boss Steve Evans previously told Lincolnshire Live: "Well it wasn’t very nice. “We will leave that to other people. “I think the police and the football authorities have enough issues, especially on derby days, but it wasn’t very nice. “It wasn’t long or sustained or anything like that, but it’s always threatening." -------------------- |
Latest | September 2017