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Archived News from October 2017

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24th October 2017 13:32


Injured duo await scan results
mansfieldtown.net, Thur 19 Oct 2017

Stags' boss Steve Evans hopes to be the recipient of some positive injury news this afternoon as he prepares his squad for Saturday's trip to Newport County.

Winger Paul Anderson and defender David Mirfin pulled up with respective back and hamstring issues on Tuesday night at Barnet and the pair are due to learn the results of scans this afternoon.

And with Stags' next Sky Bet League Two fixture against the Exiles just two days away, the manager is hopeful of having the aforementioned duo on the training ground later today.

"Hopefully Anderson and David Mirfin, we've sent both for a scan, we'll see where they are but we're hopeful both will come in today and we'll get them on the training ground if we can," the Stags' chief said.

"You're always hopeful until the scan tells you [otherwise]. Dan [Kett, head physio] has given us a prognosis.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/october/injured-duo-await-scan-results/

"Paul Anderson had a little back spasm, so had to come out of the warm-up and David just felt the top end of his hamstring, just before his buttock.

"We have to literally just see where the scans are. Both lads are seemingly pain-free but that doesn't always tell you what the situation is inside the body."

Meanwhile, the gaffer revealed that winger Alfie Potter has now returned to full fitness, whilst midfielder Joel Byrom has started taking part in training.

"Alfie's fit; there are no excuses with Alfie. We just felt to train Friday and train Monday, would he have been ready enough to go into a team that had to work so hard after the poor, poor showing at the weekend before? Alfie's in contention; I'm looking forward to seeing him on the training ground.

"Joel Byrom's been on the training ground since Monday/Tuesday, so I'm hopeful that I'll see Joel training today. We'll leave that to the medical department; I've often said, you don't put good people in the medical department and make their decisions for them.

"Joel is almost close to full training now, he's back in with the group. That probably takes you a week away [from being in contention]. Zander [Diamond] will hopefully be back in training next week."

Stags face a Newport side on Saturday who currently occupy a Sky Bet League Two play-off place and the former Leeds United boss wants his players to give supporters 'a good away day' in South Wales.

"Hopefully we'll get 11 players on the pitch at Newport and they'll all work as hard as they can and we'll give our supporters a good away day, like we did at Lincoln.

"They've signed some good players. They've signed another one this week; Paul Hayes has just joined them.

"They play in a system which is difficult to compete against and the fans down there get right behind them. I think that started even last season, when they looked doomed. It's going to be difficult."

After being drawn against Evo-Stik Premier League side Shaw Lane AFC in the Emirates FA Cup First Round, the boss believes his side will have to be on their mettle to avoid any potential cup upset.

"Shaw Lane, we didn't know much about, but when the draw gets made, you quickly do an analysis. They've got good players; they've got young man called David Norris, ex-Leeds United. I sold him to Bolton after finding him on a park pitch in Peterborough and sold him for a lot of money.

"They've got good investment up there, for the level, and we're looking forward to it. It's going to be tough; they're the underdogs. I've been the underdogs looking forward to bigger teams coming and I've always fancied my chances, and they will."

Supporters will be able to view the manager's news conference on iFollow Stags later this afternoon.

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Stags wait on scan results for injured duo
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 19 October 2017

Mansfield Town are awaiting scan results on Paul Anderson and David Mirfin, both both are doubts for Saturday’s tough trip to Newport County. Anderson pulled up in the warm-up at Barnet on Tuesday with a back spasm while Mirfin limped off with a tight hamstring plus two dislocated fingers. However, Stags will welcome back winger Alfie Potter to face an Exiles side flying surprisingly high in sixth place after last season’s ‘Great Escape’ from relegation. “It started at the end of last season when Graham Westley lost his job,” said Mansfield manager Steve Evans. “You don’t want any manager to lose his job, but the resurgence in Newport after that was quite remarkable to stay in the League. “You always knew then that they were going to go and have a bit of a go. They are good club with good supporters and they get backed by a board down there as and when they can. “You break down their signings and they have signed some good players. They’ve signed another one this week as Paul Hayes has just joined them. “They are playing a system that is difficult to compete against and the fans there get right behind them as they did last season when they looked like they might be going into non-League. “They tell me it’s a good pitch now, though I understand there is going to be some naughty weather on Saturday so it’s going to have to handle a monsoon.” Stags were pegged back 1-1 by an 85th minute equaliser at Barnet on Tuesday and Evans admitted: “It was two points lost for sure. Conrad Logan’s not made a save while their keeper has made two impressive saves second half to stop it being 2-0 and that is the margins that dictate whether you win or not.”?Logan did make a crucial added time save, but Evans smiled: “With all due respect I could have made that save. “Let’s get it into perspective - he is 6ft 4ins and he tips it over the bar. You’d expect him to save that. “We are disappointed, but that was the same Barnet team, bar one individual, who beat Swindon 4-1. “It shows you if this team turns up and competes every week like Barnet we’ll get results. If we turn up like Swindon we’ll never get anything. It was a positive reaction.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-wait-on-scan-results-for-injured-duo-1-8813702

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Stags expect Shaw Lane tie to be on live TV
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 19 October 2017

Mansfield Town fully expect their FA Cup first round tie at Yorkshire minnows Shaw Lane to be a live television game the weekend after next. The Stags have heard nothing as yet, but Evans said: “If it’s not on TV, Shaw Lane will be shaking their head. It’s got everything for a TV game - every hallmark the television likes. “Everyone outside the town of Mansfield wants us beaten don’t they? That’s why it’s most likely the TV cameras will be there. “They only come for one reason. I’ve been very successful as an underdog in the past. “We knew when we had the cameras come that they thought we may be able to beat those teams - and we did. If they are there the TV company believes Shaw Lane can beat Mansfield Town. “I have been the underdog in the past, looking forward to bigger teams coming, and I have always fancied my chances - and they will.” Evans said the preparation for the game against the Evo Stik Northern Premier Division club would be meticulous. “It’s the old saying - if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail,” he said. “You have to prepare properly and we’ll prepare exactly the same for Shaw Lane as we will for Newport. You have to do your homework. “We didn’t know much about Shaw Lane, but when the draw is made you quickly do an analysis and they have got good players. “They have a young man called David Norris - ex-Leeds United. I sold him to Bolton for a lot of money having found him as a parks player in Peterborough. “He’s gone on to have a great career. He’s on the way down now but he’s a great lad. “They have young Nicky Walker, who I had at Rotherham, I think I gave him his first team debut there. “Then you look at the likes of Damien Reeves who everyone in non-League football used to wonder ‘where’s Reeves’ whenever you played Altrincham as he could score from anywhere. Once you are a goalscorer you are always a goalscorer. “They also have the boy (Billy) Whitehouse who was at Doncaster and got a great move to Leeds.” “They have good investment up there for the level. “We are looking forward to it. It’s going to be tough.” Ultimately, Evans hopes Stags can get to the third round and become the underdogs themselves against top flight opposition. “It is the most magical cup competition in the world,” he said. “Stags fans will remember Liverpool’s superstars coming here. Do we want more of that? Yes we do. “But you have to earn the right and we will have to go to Shaw Lane and get a result.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-expect-shaw-lane-tie-to-be-on-live-tv-1-8813788

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Rose keen to extend goalscoring purple patch
mansfieldtown.net, Thur 19 Oct 2017

Stags' top scorer Danny Rose says he wants to beat last year's goalscoring tally of 10 goals.

The former Bury frontman is well on the way to achieving his target, having already notched seven goals in 14 games this campaign.

Rose, who has the best goals-per-minute ratio in Sky Bet League Two this season with a strike every 119 minutes, is aiming to build on his impressive start to the season.

"It's a good start. I'm just hoping to kick on now and not go through a spell where I'm not scoring. I just want to help the team out, work hard for the lads and get as many goals as I can throughout the season," the Barnsley-born striker said.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/october/rose-19-oct/

"I'm a firm believer that if you work hard, the chances will come. I managed to grab a goal against Swindon in the last minute - I know it was a consolation and it wasn't worth much - but it just keeps the tally up and I'll keep working hard for the team."

Oxford United loanee Kane Hemmings, who has partnered Rose in attack on four occasions this season, scored his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw away to Barnet on Tuesday and 23-year-old Rose was delighted to see his fellow frontman get off the mark.

"He's deserved it, he really has. He's worked ever-so-hard in training, as have all the lads and to get a goal like that - I know it's probably not the best of his career - but any goal's a good goal in my opinion. He's taken it very well and I'm hoping he can kick on from there.

"We've all been there. If you ask any striker, we've all been there where we've had a spell where we've not scored for a few games but as soon as you get that goal, it gives you a boost.

"He's been very unlucky. He's had the penalty at Carlisle and the one at Notts County where it might have gone over the line, it might not have. I'm delighted for him to get that goal at Barnet.

"I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing, that he's looking to kick on from now, starting against Newport on Saturday."

Stags face Newport County in Sky Bet Legaue Two on Saturday - a ground on which Rose scored his first goal for the club, in a 3-2 win on the opening day of the 2016/17 season - and the striker says Stags are working hard to achieve the same outcome.

"Last season was a very good win for us and we're hoping to go there and get another three points like we did last season.

"We'll train today and work ever-so-hard, we'll travel tomorrow and we'll hope to pick up maximum points.

"We're hoping to pick up maximum points against a very good side, who have started very well this season. I don't think many people expected them to start this well but they've started ever-so-well.

"I'm sure the Stags [fans] will be going in their numbers. We need the Stags with us every game of the season and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about."

Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to listen to Danny Rose's full news conference.

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Rose delighted to see fellow Stags striker Hemmings break his duck at last
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town top scorer Danny Rose was delighted to see fellow striker Kane Hemmings break his duck at Barnet on Tuesday in his ninth game on loan. Hemmings, so prolific in his past career, has had a hard time since joining Stags on loan from Oxford United, but took his chance in the 1-1 draw. Rose, joint second in the League Two scorers table with seven, said: “Kane has deserved it as he’s worked ever so hard in training - as have all the lads. “It probably wasn’t the best goal of his career, but any goal is a good goal. He took it very well and I am hoping he can kick on from there. “You ask any striker - we’ve all been there. We’ve all had a spell where we’ve not scored for a few games. “As soon as you get that goal it’s a massive boost and I am sure he will tell you the same thing, that he’s hoping to kick on from there against Newport on Saturday. “Kane’s been very unlucky. He had the penalty at Carlisle and them that one against Notts County when it might have gone over the line or might not have. “I was just doing my job and following up. “So I am delighted for him to get a goal.” Manager Steve Evans added: “It was Kane’s first goal. That brings confidence and it did second half. “It was a fantastic piece of play by Danny Rose to go and win a 50-50 ball, give it to Kane and Kane stepped inside with a wonderful effort. “Perhaps before he scored that goal he wouldn’t have tried that? “We want him to go and score a few goals for us now - not just be remembered for one at Barnet. “I think Kane was terrific at Barnet and covered every blade of grass. He got tired near the end and his service was restricted.” Rose is happy with his seven-goal start and hopes to avoid any goal drought like Hemmings had suffered. He said: “It’s a good start and I want kick on now and not go through a spell where I am not scoring. “I want to help the team out and work hard. I am a firm believer if you work hard the chances will come. “I managed to grab a last minute goal against Swindon last weekend, I know it was only a consolation and wasn’t worth much in the end but it keeps my tally up. “It was nice to score but the performance was disappointing. “We were disappointed to concede near the end at Barnet but it’s a good point away from home against a good side.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/rose-delighted-to-see-fellow-stags-striker-hemmings-break-his-duck-at-last-1-8814050

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Cup opponents Shaw Lane no strangers to local boy Rose
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS

Mansfield Town’s FA Cup draw at non-League Shaw Lane brought a huge smile to the face of striker Danny Rose as the first round tie will be almost in his back garden. Stags will travel to the Barnsley-based club on Saturday, 4th November for a potential ‘banana skin’ tie, being shown live on TV, and Rose said: “It’s a five minute drive from my house. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I am looking forward to it. “I have been reminded a couple of times by my friends what they are like and they are a good team to be fair with a number of promotions in recent seasons. “I think they are hoping to get into the Football League in the next few years. But we’ve got to go there, be on our game and avoid a cup upset. “I think it’s a good tie. We wanted a home tie like any other club, but we’ll go there full of confidence.” Rose is hoping boss Steve Evans will let him go directly to the game and not have to report at One Call Stadium “I’ve not spoken the gaffer yet but I am hoping I can go straight there. It wouldn’t be worth driving 50 minutes down to Mansfield to go back up home,” he smiled. In the meantime Rose is hoping to repeat last year’s feat of scoring at Newport on Saturday, having notched on his Stags debut in the 3-2 win there on the opening day of last season. “Last season was a very good win there and we’re hoping to go back and get another three points, on Saturday,” he said. “I don’t think people expected them to start so well this time but they have started very well. “They have recruited well in the summer and will want to show a reaction after Tuesday’s home defeat.”

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/cup-opponents-shaw-lane-no-strangers-to-local-boy-rose-1-8814069

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PRESS | Mike Flynn ready to go again against Mansfield Town
newport-county.co.uk

Mike Flynn has challenged his side to get back to winning ways at Rodney Parade this weekend when Mansfield Town make the trip to South Wales.

The Stags, who have won six of the eight previous League 2 meetings against County, currently occupy 12th position in the table after collecting 20 points so far this season.

And Flynn is expecting another tough encounter on Saturday.

He said: “It’s going to be an interesting game Saturday and I think it’ll come down to who takes their chances more.

https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2017/october/flynn-press-mansfield-town/

“They’ve got some very good players but so do we so let’s get back to winning ways.

“Statistics say that six times out of ten the team who scores first wins a football match, I think that’s about right.

“We have come back from losing positions before but I just thought that the other night it was written in lights almost that whoever scored first would go on to win the game.

“Unfortunately, Colchester got it and we got ours a little bit too late.”

The pre-season title contenders are looking to really kick-start their season after only collecting seven points from the last 18 available.

But Flynn feels the Exiles will have to be at their best to overcome their opponents on the weekend.

“I think they signed a whole new squad near-enough,” he commented.

“They’ve got an experienced manger in Steve Evans so it’s going to be a tough game. They are a team of men so it’s going to be difficult.

“But we’ve known that since the start of the season, every game is going to be difficult and like I said, if we weren’t at it on Tuesday then we weren’t going to get anything and I think Colchester showed how may fine margins there are in the league because anybody can beat anybody.”

Talking specifically about the man in the opposite dugout, Steve Evans, Flynn commended him for his record as a manager.

“I won’t be taking any notice of what Steve Evans does,” he continued.

“He’s experienced, knows what he’s good at so to speak on the side-line and he winds up opposition managers, coaches, players and fair play if that works for him then good luck.

“But I think he’ll get as good as he gives against our bench and our players, especially when Wayne Hatswell has been there and seen it all as-well.

“I think it’ll take a miracle to get Lennie to react so Lennie is fine.

“I get wound up in games but I don’t think I’ve ever reacted stupidly to an opposition manager. It’s more likely it’ll be one of our players that I have a go at.

“I’m more concerned about his reputation of what he does with his football teams because he gets results.

“He builds good teams so what he does on the pitch is neither here or there and I’m sure our fans behind the dugout will definitely drown him out anyway.”

The game comes just five days after the Exiles lost their long unbeaten home record, with Colchester’s win stopping the run at 213 days.

And despite defeat, Flynn could take some positives from the game.

He added: “I thought we played some really good football, created some good chances, missed chances which I usually fancy us to score and we had a wobbly ten or fifteen minutes where they scored two and probably could have had one or two more because they missed two headers in that time.

“That’s the things I’m going to concentrate more on because everybody misses chances and they don’t do it on purpose.

“Yes, I’ve said it before but we need to be more ruthless and I’ll be looking to sure up that ten or fifteen minutes this weekend.”

One player to receive individual praise following the Colchester game was David Pipe.

And Flynn feels it is important to have his leadership qualities on the pitch as much as possible.

He said: “If Mark O’Brien doesn’t play then of course David Pipe is next in-line for the captaincy.

“I thought David played very well the other night even though he did frustrate me at times on the side.

“We had a chat afterwards but I thought he played very well, full blooded and it’s just about him taking on board that advice because if he did that then he would have played even better.

“I’m really pleased for him because a lot of people wrote him off coming back here but he’s brought determination, professional attitude and I’m very pleased that he’s showing that on the pitch.”

Alongside the other results in the league on Tuesday, County remained within the play-off positions in 6th place.

And Flynn says he is happy with the start that his squad has made.

“If anything, I think we’re punching above our weight,” he affirmed.

“The players have been fantastic and I honestly enjoy coming in to work. Even as a player, you do get the odd day where you think that you could do without this.

“But I haven’t had that here. I’m sure I will do at some point in my managerial career but they are just a joy to work with every day.

“Walking in today was the same vibe, we don’t get carried away when we win and we don’t get carried away when we lose so we’re trying to keep it at a level playing field so to speak.”

He continued: “You can take nothing for granted in this league.

“You go and look at Notts County who went to Crewe. Notts County have been flying, Crewe have been struggling and Crewe go and win 2-0.

“I’ve got to be honest and say that the only team that I think are odds onto win at the moment is Luton. They go away to Exeter 4-1, they beat Stevenage 7-1 on the weekend and Yeovil 8-2 as-well.”

Some early team-news for the game this weekend sees captain Joss Labadie miss out with the hamstring injury sustained on Tuesday.

And Flynn couldn’t confirm the severity of the injury.

“No, we’ve got a scan tomorrow to find out more,” he commented.

“I’ve told him to stay off today because there’s no point in him travelling in as he needs to be resting up as much as he can before we hopefully get the scan results tomorrow.

“I’ll always try and be straight with you and when you go off after five minutes with a hamstring injury then it’s not a good sign.”

Talking about the void that his captain will leave, Flynn added:

“He’s a massive player for us. Not just in the games, every day in training he’s been brilliant and I can’t speak highly enough of him since I took over.

“He’s been first-class and it’s unfortunate that we’re going to miss him for a game or two.

“We haven’t got a like-for-like Joss Labadie so to speak but I don’t think many people thought he would do well in that forward role and he has done.

“Ben Tozer has come in and kind of taken the defensive role that Joss left and now we’ve got to find the forward one.

“That’s all part of what I get paid for, to make these decisions and hopefully I get it right on Saturday.”

That means Flynn will definitely have to make changes to his squad for the first time in four league games.

One player that may also force a recall is striker Shawn McCoulsky. The 20-year old scored for the third successive game in all competitions on Tuesday, although Flynn hinted that he may not start from the off this weekend.

“That’s all I can ask of him,” he said.

“When he goes on the pitch I ask him to score goals and he’s doing that.

“Do I think he’s ready to start at the moment? I’m not quite sure. I think we saw against Swansea that there are parts of his game that he needs to improve.

“But I can’t argue that he has six goals at the moment. I’m absolutely delighted for him because he’s a great kid and he is knocking on the door.”

Fellow striker Paul Hayes will also not be ready to play a part against Mansfield Town.

Flynn confirmed: “No, not at the moment.

“I wouldn’t be unfair to him and let’s just say that we’ll have a mini pre-season with him first.

“I’m not sure when he will be ready because I’m not going to put a timescale on it. When I feel he’s ready he will play, we train right, have the right data on the players and we’ll have to wait and see.”

The only other injury concerns revolve around Robbie Willmott and Marlon Jackson.

And Flynn confirmed that it is unlikely that either player will be ready for the weekend.

On Willmott: “It’s nothing serious, the scan has come back positive.

“It’s another one where I don’t want to put him in too soon then have him missing for more weeks.

“If it takes an extra week then so be it because one week is better than six.”

On Jackson: “Marlon is training.

“He’s been out a long time and it’s been frustrating for him.

“He’s worked really hard, he’s had a bad injury and he’s eager to get back on that pitch. He’s had to be patient and he’ll have to work very hard to get back up to speed.”

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Latest | October 2017