Archived News from July 2018
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FLITCROFT, BENNING, CHRIS WILDER REACTION
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Stags seek defender as priority after impressive United friendly mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 21 July 2018 Mansfield Town manager David Flitcroft says he is looking to recruit a defender ‘as a priority’ following today’s encouraging 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield United. Stags looked strong against the Blades at One Call Stadium this afternoon with a performance which visiting boss Chris Wilder described as ‘outstanding’. And Mansfield chief David Flitcroft is now targeting another defender to strengthen his back-line ahead of the big League Two kick-off a fortnight today. Ex-Bury captain Nathan Cameron has been training with the first team, but picked up an injury in Wednesday’s 3-1 win at home to Derby County. And with defenders Zander Diamond and David Mifin likely to be out for months, the manager has his sights set on defensive cover. “The loan market is loosening off so it’s a priority to make sure we’ve got enough balance and cover,” said Flitcroft. “We’ve been looking for four to six weeks now to bring the right centre-half in. Whilst we’ve had Nathan in we’ve been looking at other possibilities.” https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/july/stags-seek-defender-as-priority-after-impressive-united-friendly/ “We’ve had to play Hayden White out of necessity at right-centre half. He’s been absolutely fantastic at it. He’s been consistent and gives teams problems going forward. It’s been a bonus when we’ve been short of defenders. “It’s an area which we’re continuously looking at. We have Zander and David with long-term injuries; we can’t use them for the foreseeable future. “We’re meeting with a couple [of players] next week. I’ve looked into the loan market, and those who are out-of-contract, so there are options. “We just have to bring the right one in now and get the right balance. “The back three we played today looks good. Matty Preston has made a massive difference. He covers both angles and there’s pace in the back three and the back five. I’m delighted how they’re working.” On Nathan Cameron’s injury, Flitcroft said: “He will go for a scan on Monday and we’ll see where we’re at with it. It’s a different injury to what he’s had previously.” And reflecting on today’s scoreless draw, the manager said: “It was a very professional, organised performance and at times we went toe-to-toe. “Let’s get it right. That Sheffield United team Chris Wilder has built and is building is from a solid foundation. They play the 3-5-2 system fantastically well, better than anyone in the Championship. “When you look at them, they are a fit and dynamic team. “In the first 15 minutes, we sort of struggled with their overloads, with the way their centre-half was coming out with the ball. But once we got a grip of that we had some really good spells ourselves and wrestled the game back in our favour. “As a squad today we have certainly operated at high levels and gone toe-to-toe with a fantastic Championship team.” Meanwhile, striker Danny Rose will play ‘some part’ in a behind-closed doors game on Wednesday morning at Hull’s training ground, the manager said. Next Tuesday’s first team friendly at home to Sheffield Wednesday will come too soon for last season’s leading goalscorer. iFollow Stags subscribers can now login to view the manager’s interview in full. --------------------- David Flitcroft praises Mansfield Town players for going ‘toe to toe’ with Sheffield United chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 21 July 2018 David Flitcroft was full of praise for his Mansfield Town players for again going ‘toe to toe’ with a quality Championship side in today’s home 0-0 pre-season friendly draw with Sheffield United. After the midweek win over Derby County, Stags again more than matched the quality opposition today and Flitcroft beamed: “We were very professional and very organised today and at times went toe to toe with, let’s get it right, a Sheffield United team that Chris has been building there off a solid foundation. “He has changed system and they play the 3-5-2 better than anyone out there, certainly in the Championship. “They are a fit team and a dynamic team. They ask more questions of you than Derby do as they more relentless in their approach with what they do. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/david-flitcroft-praises-mansfield-town-players-for-going-toe-to-toe-with-sheffield-united-1-9263099 “We struggled for the first 15 minutes with the overloads and the way the centre half was coming out with the ball. “Once we got a grip of that we had some really good spells ourself and wrestled the game back in our favour.” Flitcroft continued: “I was delighted with everyone’s performances - it was a squad display today - and we’ve gone toe to toe with a fantastic Championship team. “They have been two colossal games this weeks in terms of opposition, but the lads have stood up to every test thrown at them. “United score a lot of goals from set pieces, but we handled that well and looked threatening at times from our own.” The manager also had praise for the noisy home crowd. “It was nice for the new players to feel the warmth of our crowd today and feel that Saturday afternoon feeling and appreciation,” he said. “It’s been good for them to witness how powerful our home support can be.” ----------------------- Cameron to have scan before Flitcroft makes decision on defender’s future chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 21 July 2018 Injured trialist centre half Nathan Cameron will have a scan tomorrow that will decide his future with Mansfield Town. The Stags are desperate to sign a central defender, with two already out injured long term, but Cameron’s hopes of filling that role were rocked when he limped off against Derby in midweek. But manager David Flitcroft is chasing up other options and has more talks with some this week. “Nathan is going for a scan tomorrow, which is the earliest we could get one,” said Fltcroft. “It is a different injury to the ones he had previously. “It is one where it started halfway up his leg and it’s tracked up towards his knee now. “We have let it settle down, now we’ll get it scanned and see where we are at with it.” Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/cameron-to-have-scan-before-flitcroft-makes-decision-on-defender-s-future-1-9263111 At the same time, Mansfield are exploring other avenues. “We need to bring the right centre half in and while we have had Nathan here I have been looking at other possibilities. It is a priority,” he said. “The loan market is now loosening off and available. “We have spoken to some agents and we’re meeting a couple of them again this week - lads that have held on a bit over the period and now are worried about getting football for next season. “The biggest problem is having Zander Diamond and David Mirfin in the squad with long terms injuries.” However, there have been bonuses. Flitcroft said: “We have had to play Hayden White as a right-sided centre half and I think he’s been fantastic at it. He has been consistent and gives teams problems going forward. “And Matty Preston has made a massive difference in the middle. He has incredible recovery pace and I am delighted how the back five are working.” ---------------------- Benning reaping the rewards of 'tough' pre-season mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 21 July 2018 Left-back Mal Benning reflected on what he says has been a 'tough' but 'enjoyable' pre-season programme under Stags' boss David Flitcroft, following Mansfield's hard-fought 0-0 draw with Championship outfit Sheffield United. Benning played for the majority of the match at One Call Stadium this afternoon, in which the Stags went toe-to-toe with the Blades - a performance which was later described as 'outstanding' by opposition boss Chris Wilder. The defender claims that Mansfield are raring to go following an intense pre-season programme under Flitcroft, which he says is much tougher compared to previous campaigns. "I'm feeling good. It's been a good pre-season. Everyone is looking sharp and fit so we're ready to go," he said. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/july/benning-post-sheffield-united/ "It's one of the toughest [pre-seasons at Mansfield] to be fair. Compared to last season, definitely. I'm feeling good. It's my fourth season here but I'm enjoying every minute. "We [Benning and Pearce] have enjoyed every minute [at Mansfield]. It's our fourth season and it's been great. There's been ups and downs but we've enjoyed every minute. "The gaffer has got a work ethic within in the team where he wants players to run as hard as they can." Benning also added that after a tough 15 minutes, the Stags eased into this afternoon's game, and caused issues to a Championship opposition for the second time this week. "It was tough today. They moved the ball quicker than Derby did and they came at us a bit in the first 15 [minutes]," he added. "I thought in the first 15 we dealt with it well and caused them some problems. "It was a good team performance. After the first 15, they were overloading us in the wide areas, and we sorted that out. "Some of our play today was really good so hopefully we can carry that through. "We kept a clean sheet which was a very good thing. It's a platform to build on. We had chances to score a couple of goals, so it's just [about] putting those chances away. That'll come." The 24-year-old also spoke of the growing chemistry between the players in the Stags' squad, and what is expected of him in his new wing-back role since the switch to a three-at-the-back formation by Mansfield boss Flitcroft. "As each game goes you learn who's good at what. Today there were some good combinations and it felt good passing the ball, especially with Mellis, Otis and Davies on my side. "It's about creating opportunities. That's what you're there for. You're the out ball as a wing-back. When you get the ball, you have to do something, you can't just pass it back. You can either create something or hopefully get the ball moving and hit the strikers." Benning also touched on the squad's excitement for the first game of the season at home to Newport on Saturday 4 August. "I've had plenty of minutes which is good. I'm feeling fit. We have two more games and two more weeks until the season starts so hopefully I can get quicker. "When it hits the Friday before 4 August I'll be buzzing to get on the pitch. Everyone is buzzing for it. "Collectively, we want to get promoted and hopefully we can do that this season. Personally, I want to play as many games as I can and be part of the promotion team." iFollow Stags subscribers will soon be able to watch Mal Benning's answers in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow. --------------------- Benning: ‘We’re fit and raring to go’ chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 21 July 2018 Mal Benning said he and the other Mansfield Town players were feeling fit and raring to go with the new season just two weeks away. Benning again did well as left wing back in today’s 0-0 home draw with Championship side Sheffield United just four days after that 3-1 win over Derby County. Now he said the excitement was building and everyone was feeling positive about the campaign ahead. “It was tough today,” he said. “They moved the ball quicker than Derby did the other day and came at us a bit in the first 15 minutes. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/benning-we-re-fit-and-raring-to-go-1-9263109 "But I thought we dealt with it well and then caused them problems. “It was a good team performance. Some of our play today was really good so hopefully we can carry that through. “We kept a clean sheet, which is something to build on, and we had chances to score a couple of goals.” On a personal level, he added: “I am feeling good. I’ve had a good pre-season. Everyone is looking sharp and fit and we are ready to go. “It’s been one of the toughest pre-season I’ve known, definitely compared to last year. “The gaffer has a work ethic and wants players running as hard as they can. “I’ve had plenty of minutes and I’m feeling good. We have two more games and two more weeks until the season starts, so hopefully I can get even fitter.” As the new season approaches, he admitted: “It’s exciting. When it gets to the Friday before the season starts I will be buzzing to get on the pitch - if selected. “We have just played two top Championship teams and looked good so we are excited for it.” It will be season number four at Stags for Benning and fellow defender Krystian Pearce. “It is mine and Pearcey’s fourth season here and we have enjoyed every minute of it to be fair,” he smiled. “It’s been great, even though there have been ups and downs. “Now we want promotion and, personally, I want to play as many games as I can and be part of that promotion-winning team.” -------------------- Stags ‘outstanding and deserved to win’ - Wilder chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 21 July 2018 Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder described Mansfield Town’s performance in today’s 0-0 draw as outstanding and believes the Stags are in for a good season. Wilder felt his side were second best in every department in today’s pre-season friendly at the One Call Stadium. “I didn’t think we were very good - I thought the opposition were outstanding and deserved to win,” he said. “We need to compete but we were that team I didn’t like today. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/stags-outstanding-and-deserved-to-win-wilder-1-9263089 “The opposition were far better than us with and without the ball. “Maybe the players thought ‘we are Championship players and we’re stronger than Mansfield’ and maybe I’ve not given them enough reminders about what sets us apart from the other teams in the Championship. “That’s how we want about it last year and I want to go better this year.” He added: “Today Mansfield were better than us in every department. “I think they will go well anyway. They have a good manager and a good set of players. “We were second best all over the park. I don’t like it when we get out-battled and out-muscled and outfought in any game anywhere as this is Sheffield United - it’s my team. “The away support was fantastic again but I thought they were very generous with their applause at the end as I wasn’t applauding that performance.” -------------------------- |
Latest | July 2018