Archived News from October 2018
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FLITCROFT ON BEHIND CLOSED DOOR GAME AND SWINDON
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Manager looks ahead to return to former club
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Stags’ boss David Flitcroft has previewed Mansfield’s next clash in Sky Bet League Two, which sees him return to former side Swindon Town this Saturday. The manager joined the Stags from Swindon in March of this year after the two clubs agreed a compensation package for 44-year-old. Mansfield are back in competitive action following a blank weekend in Sky Bet League Two, due to the postponement of the scheduled fixture against Grimsby Town, after three of Stags’ players received international call-ups. The manager spoke of this weekend’s fixture, and says that he will be fully focused on Mansfield Town for the game. “You can’t focus on the background noise,” he said. “I’m going to a football club that I did manage last season, but I will focus on Mansfield Town and make sure that our players know exactly what they are doing. “We’ll make sure that we are not just competitive but really competent in our work. You focus on the weaknesses of the team you are playing against, which is what we will be doing on Saturday. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/october/gaffer-pre-swindon/ “Getting this opportunity [at Mansfield] was something I couldn’t not take, with the ambition of the chairman and Carolyn. I’ve had phenomenal support. Everything that was spoken about when I met the chairman and Carolyn has come to fruition. “They [the players] are desperate to put teams to the sword. They’re showing that in everything they are doing. “Teams have come here [One Call Stadium] and respected what we’ve done. Away from home, going and setting a marker down, is what we’re all trying to do.” The manager also reflected on Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Birmingham City in a behind-closed-doors friendly, which he says was vital in maintaining the players’ ‘rhythm.’ “It [friendly] was about trying to keep the players in a rhythm. It allowed us to get a tactical training session under our belt on Friday and then put that into practice on the Saturday. “It was about keeping the players in that Saturday-Saturday or Saturday-Tuesday routine. It was probably quite key for a few of the lads getting them game minutes. “They [Birmingham] had some top players playing. It was a great test for us. It’s a fantastic learning experience and better than putting on a training session here. “The attitude and application that the Birmingham team put in was phenomenal, so we had to match that. Our application was fantastic as well. “It gave an opportunity to players like Gibbo [Lewis Gibbens] to play 90 minutes. It keeps them in that game mode and game rhythm.” Last Friday it was confirmed that striker Danny Rose came off the transfer list, something the Stags’ boss described as ‘brilliant news.’ “I waited for Danny [Rose] and I said to the chairman from day one, let Danny come to us and ask to be taken off the list. “The biggest thing in the decision was how the supporters supported Danny through that time. His performances and the energy that he possesses changed everyone’s view on it. The reception from the supporters has been a major factor in it. It was brilliant news. “Danny is a goalscorer who wants to score goals, and he wants to score goals for us. I do believe that will come and he will get hatfuls because we are creating good quality chances. “There should always be an ambition to get out of the league. Our ambition is to get out of League Two and drive up towards the top of League One. “I’ve said that to Danny and we want him to be a part of that. Danny has understood that he can follow his dreams with Mansfield Town.” The manager also took time to provide updates on the three Stags’ players who were on international duty over the weekend, as well as the latest on striker Craig Davies and defender Zander Diamond. “Sweens [Ryan Sweeney] won’t be back until Thursday. We’re planning the training around that. We’ll have KP [Krystian Pearce] back today but it’ll be a light session for him after the travelling he has had to do. It’s the same with Omari. “You would love them to be on the training ground today but they have played the game and done a lot of travelling so you have to respect that. “He [Craig Davies] has had a scan and had an injection yesterday in the back of his heel. That will settle down hopefully in the next five or ten minutes. “He’ll still be able to do some sort of training, gym-based and cardiovascular work. We probably won’t have him for the Swindon game. “We’re currently speaking to Zander [Diamond]’s advisors [about retirement]. There’s been nothing official from our side because we want to get everything right from a contractual situation. “I have had really positive conversations with Zander’s advisors who have been really professional. We’re speaking to them, but haven’t sent anything official. “We did say from day one that we won’t be putting anything out until it’s confirmed and it’s official. We want to do it professionally and do it right.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow. --------------------- 'You can't win over everyone', says Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 David Flitcroft believes you will never win over everyone, no matter how well you do at a football club. The Mansfield Town boss is still confident his side will come good this season ahead of successive away games at Swindon and Morecambe, but said: “I think everything in life is 80-20 whatever you do. “I think 20 per cent of people are never going to like what you do or buy into it. But sometimes they get the biggest shout whether that's on social media or in the forums. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/you-can-t-win-over-everyone-says-mansfield-town-boss-1-9403620 “That 20 per cent want to say something. They are ghosts in the background. “But the 80 per cent who come to support the club - the real die-hards - the ones that absolutely love the club - they stick by you, support you and support the football club when they see it's going in the right direction. “I got that at Bury. The 80 per cent of fans understood the job we'd done. “With what has happened since, they will probably understand that when we were there we did well.” On Saturday's game, he added: “Away from home we have really been setting a marker down. “Taking a team to task is what we are all trying to do. Once that comes, we will start generating the back-to-back wins and momentum.” ---------------- David Flitcroft returns to Swindon Town this weekend By Owen Houlihan @OwenHoulihan https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/16989136.david-flitcroft-returns-to-swindon-town-this-weekend/ DAVID Flitcroft is determined to dismiss any peripheral noise surrounding his County Ground return, insisting he enjoyed his short-lived spell in charge at Swindon Town last season. Flitcroft brings his Mansfield Town side down to Wiltshire on Saturday, returning for the first time since jumping ship to the Stags in March of this year. Ironically, he will face a Town side in a not dissimilar state from that which he left them, with Swindon on the very fringes of play-off contention and in close proximity to the Nottinghamshire side in the League Two table. Flitcroft's return may well bring a largely indifferent reaction from the home faithful, his Town tenure being marred by below-average home form which saw him win just four of his first 12, although he did prevail in his last five County Ground games in charge before heading north. But as he prepares to come up against his successor Phil Brown at the weekend, Flitcroft is viewing matters from a purely professional viewpoint. "It is business. You can’t focus on the background noise and what’s going on,'' he told mansfieldtown.net. "It’s focusing on Mansfield Town and making sure the players know what they are doing from minute one to minute 95 and making sure that we’re not just competitive but competent in our work. "A lot of other people make factors around it but you’re focusing on the team, the weaknesses of the club you’re playing against. "You can’t let anything affect you and what’s what certainly we’ll be doing on Saturday.'' The 44 year old insists his heart was fully into his role with Swindon before the Stags' approach towards the end of last season proved to be an offer he couldn't refuse. "I enjoyed a good spell (at Swindon), committed whole-heartedly to the project and didn’t see my family for six months, who are massive in my life,'' he added. "I stayed down there and built a squad, where with relegation sometimes there is hangover and hang-ups. "We rebuilt a team and infrastructure and built a team to get in the play-offs and drive forward from there.'' Getting this (the Mansfield) opportunity was something that I couldn’t not take. "The ambition of the owner (chairman John Radford) and Carolyn (Radford, chief executive) when you speak to them - that’s come to fruition now. "I know a lot of other managers speak about going to another club and the promise of a training ground and promise of support and infrastructure. "I’ve had phenomenal support. The training ground is nearly ready so everything that got spoken about when I met the chairman and Carolyn has come to fruition and I’ve never been as excited about this project as on day one when I spoke to them. "I’m looking forward to going back down there (Swindon). "I absolutely committed, me and Futch (Ben Futcher, assistant), to living down there, staying down there 24/7 and committing to rebuilding a football team that had got relegated (from League One).'' --------------------- Swindon return for Mansfield Town boss Flitcroft chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 David Flitcroft returns to his former club on Saturday to find a Swindon Town side, like the Stags, searching for some consistency. But Stags have an unbeaten away record this season to defend at the County ground. “They have chopped and changed since I left and haven’t really had a settled team,” said Flitcroft. “There is a spine of certain players but otherwise there have been a lot changes to the team and the system over the last month, playing 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, probably just trying to find the best formula and consistency in performance. “Over the last six weeks they have had a mixed bag of form. That has shown in team selections and different shapes. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/swindon-return-for-mansfield-town-boss-flitcroft-1-9402684 “Phil Brown is trying to find a solution as we all are. “Like all managers you have sleepless nights trying to find the solutions. Phil is an incredibly experienced manager who will try to find that formula. “They are just inconsistent at the minute but they have a lot of threat and quality players in the team.” Flitcroft believes he did a good job at Swindon before choosing to move to Mansfield 10 games from the end of last season. He said: “I enjoyed a good spell there and we were wholly committed to the project. I am big family man and I left them for six months. “My mum is a big part of my life and I didn’t really see here for six months, which was tough. “When we went in there it was flat, it was low, after relegation and we built the team and infrastructure up again, which isn’t easy, and got them into the play-offs. “Me and Futch stayed down there, lived down there 24/7, and re-built a squad that had just been relegated. “Sometimes with relegation there is a hangover. We saw that with Chesterfield, who had a double bounce, and Port Vale just escaped the trap door.” He added: “But getting this opportunity at Mansfield was something I couldn’t not take with the ambition of the owner and Carolyn. That’s come to fruition now. I have had phenomenal support. “The training ground is nearly ready and everything we spoke about when I met the chairman and Carolyn has come to fruition and I have never been as excited about this project as from day one.” Flitcroft said he he still had many friends at Swindon and wished his former players nothing but good. “I am looking forward to going back down there,” he said. “I want to see players do well, not just in football but in life. “Of all the players I have worked with I have no bitterness to anyone. “You just want them to keep progressing. You hope you have challenged them or taught them on the training ground and their values stay strong.” After the 2-2 draw at Bury, this will be the second game in a row that sees Flitcroft return to a former club and he said: “A lot of other people make factors around it. You can’t let anything affect you. “I was there last week at Bury and it is business. You can’t focus on background noise - just the lead-up and preparation. “We are going to a football club I did manage last season. But we are focusing on Mansfield Town and making sure our players know exactly what they are doing from minute one to minute 95. “We need to make sure we are not just competitive but also competent in our work.” -------------------- Mansfield Town boss thanks Birmingham City for much-needed friendly chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Mansfield Town’s players were kept match-fit with a 1-1 behind-closed-doors friendly draw at Birmingham City on Saturday. “Gary Monk and Birmingham played some top quality players, some real senior pros, so it was a great test for us, said boss David Flitcroft after a game in which Mal Benning netted for the Stags. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-thanks-birmingham-city-for-much-needed-friendly-1-9402664 “Our application was fantastic and it was a really good exercise. “It was to keep the players in the rhythm of work and allowed us to get a good tactical training session under our belts on Friday which we put into practice on the Saturday with some of the things we potentially wanted to work on for the Swindon game. “It gave players good game minutes and kept them in that Saturday/Saturday or Saturday/Tuesday routine. “That was key to players who needed minutes - it gave us a chance to get 90 minutes under Gibbo’s (young defender Lewis Gibbens) belt. “It was a fantastic part of Gibbo’s learning experience playing against Omar Bogle - much better than putting on a training session against players that he knows. “The attitude and application of Birmingham’s second string and fringe players put in was phenomenal and we had to match and combat that.” -------------------- Full steam ahead for Mansfield Town as internationals return to the fold chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Mansfield Town will welcome their three internationals back into the fold to prepare for Saturday’s game at Swindon Town. Ryan Sweeney was back in today (Thursday) while Krystian Pearce and Omari Sterling-James were already back in light training earlier in the week. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/full-steam-ahead-for-mansfield-town-as-internationals-return-to-the-fold-1-9402675 “Sweens wasn’t due back until today so we have planning training around that - the tactical work we do with the 11 v 11 shape,” said manager David Flitcroft. “We have had KP back in but it was be a light session with the travelling he’s had to do. He only played Sunday night so it’s been one to one training as we have had to take that into account. It’s the same with Omari. “I’d have loved them all on the training ground earlier in the week, but it’s one of them. They have played a game and are coming from a long way away and you have to respect that. “We have a full quota ready for today which will give us enough time.” -------------------- Mansfield Town midfielder Bishop all set for midweek return chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Neal Bishop is expected to be fit and raring to go for Mansfield Town's Tuesday night trip to Morecambe (7.45). The midfield warhorse has been struggling on with an ankle knock and bleeding his his thigh, but a blank weekend followed by a one-game suspension this weekend has freshened him up. “He trained brilliantly yesterday,” said manager David Flitcroft. “He was carrying a bit of an ankle knock from Cambridge. But Bish being Bish, and the honesty he possesses, didn't want to miss training. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-midfielder-bishop-all-set-for-midweek-return-1-9403644 “The bleed he suffered in his thigh was quite a big one. But he has been able to come down off that and it's like he has had a mental recharge.” He added: “He is one of those players that sometimes need a rest, but he won't. He loves training, being professional, and playing football for a living. We've had a real honest chat and sometimes I might actually have to take him out myself and ignore what he is telling me! “He will be absolutely raring to go next Tuesday.” ------------------- Injection to settle down injury for Mansfield Town striker Davies chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Mansfield Town striker Craig Davies has had an injection into his troublesome ankle as he looks to make a first team return. “He had a scan and yesterday he had an injection into the back of his heel to help the ankle and that will hopefully settle down over the next seven to 10 days,” said manager David Flicroft. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/injection-to-settle-down-injury-for-mansfield-town-striker-davies-1-9403613 “He will still be able to do some sort of gym-based training. The injection should just calm the ankle down again. “We probably won’t have him for the Swindon game and it’s now how his ankle responds to that injection. ----------------------- Supporters’ love has kept Rose at Mansfield Town says boss chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft thanked supporters for making Danny Rose feel loved and wanted at the club after the striker withdrew his transfer request this week. Flitcroft said having Rose, 24, commit to the cause once more was ‘brilliant news’. The striker demanded a move during the summer window, but his expected moved to League One Peterborough failed to happen. “His head had been turned to play at a higher level,” said Flitcroft. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/supporters-love-has-kept-rose-at-mansfield-town-says-boss-1-9399104 “He probably listened to too many people instead of saying ‘I’m in a good place here that’s going in the right direction’. “It is brilliant news. I said from day one it was very important for me not to have to go and beg him to come off the list. It had to come from him. “The biggest thing in this decision is how the supporters supported him. “Our fans should be very proud that Danny has come off the list because of them. I think that Accrington game made him realise that he had a lot of support and love. “He probably realised he had made a mistake going to see the chairman and requesting to leave the club. “Danny now knows he is loved here and has a home here. We are trying to build a family environment where players want to stay here and come through this journey with us.” “I think the window closing naturally gives someone a focus and a concentration to assess and re-evaluate where they are.” Flitcroft now believes Rose will start to chalk up the goals on a regular basis. “He is now embracing the change on the training ground and definitely improving,” he said. “He is now committing more in training and that is showing in games. “We are creating chances for him and now it’s just that final bit and him converting those chances. “He said the other day that over recent games he could have had eight or nine goals with the chances he has had and it’s hurting him. He is a goalscorer who just wants to score goals for this football club. “I do believe that will turn and he will get hatfuls as we are creating good quality chances. When he is at his best he puts defenders under severe pressure mentally and physically.” Flitcroft had every sympathy with Rose’s ambition to play at a higher level that was behind the summer request. “I think he may have lost sight of why he was here - that there is a bigger cause,” he said. “Strikers are naturally selfish in their pursuit of goals, which is a brilliant trait to have. “Professionally I do get the ambition to play at a higher league. But our ambition is to get out of League Two and drive up towards the top of League One. “I have reaffirmed to Danny we want him to be a part of that. We need a collective ambition as well as an individual ambition. “I think Danny has understood he can follow his dreams with Mansfield Town.” ---------------- Hero Fielding set to be Stags star of the future? chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft believes teenage No.10 Tom Fielding could be a Stags star of the future. Fielding, 18, bagged the only goal for Mansfield Town reserves in a 1-0 Central League win over Grimsby Town on the new RH Academy 3G surface this afternoon. He said: Tom has trained with us and he is going to be a good player. “Myself and the lads have enjoyed his enthusiasm. He has got an energy to his game. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/hero-fielding-set-to-be-stags-star-of-the-future-1-9399476 “Coops (Richard Cooper), Whits (Mike Whitlow) and Demps (John Dempster) have raved about this kid “So he has come on our training programme and really caught my eye. It excites me.” Paul Anderson was the only senior player in a young side that deservedly won with Fielding’s superbly taken finish midway through the first half today. ------------------ David Flitcroft excited by Mansfield Town’s RH Academy chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 16 October 2018 David Flitcroft admitted he was very excited about the imminent opening of Mansfield Town’s new RH Academy training ground at Pleasley. The ground has faced several delays in recent years but is finally set to open its doors next month. “It’s something we are massively excited about and I can’t wait to get down there,” said Flitcroft. “It is one of the reasons I came here. Down at Swindon we were training at a leisure centre where we had one pitch. “I asked the Swindon chairman what were his plans and a training ground wasn’t a key focus. “There is a real plan here. We had Brooksby and we had the One Call and they were not talking to each other - communication had broken down. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/david-flitcroft-excited-by-mansfield-town-s-rh-academy-1-9403710 “So we have bridged that gap and are in fantastic communication with people who are doing an incredible job down at Brooksby. They are top people.” He continued: “There are two things that improve players and they are resource and a training ground. “A lot of the academies are trying to go classroom-based, but I think get them out on the training pitch, get then out on the grass, get them out in the gym and improve them physically. It’s the only way. You need to go out and do it, not just talk about it.” Flitcroft believes bringing his first team squad alongside the U21s and the cream of the U18s will be hugely beneficial to all. “I have a young squad here and they all love being out on the training ground,” he said. “When we get the new training ground it will be easier to do double sessions. The U21s will be up there with too. “We have had five or six U21s train with us while we have been up here. When you have them alongside you, you can see their character. “And the best three or four U18s will get the opportunity to come up and train with us too. It will aspirational and inspirational.” Meanwhile, Mansfield Town intend moving all their reserve team fixtures up to the new RH Academy training ground at Pleasley. Although the grass pitches are not yet ready, the main 3G surface is complete and Stags played a Central League game on there for the first time this week, beating Grimsby Town 1-0. With it being a 3G surface, Stags are aware some opponents could object. “I think when they see the actual surface they will see it’s a top class one,” added Flitcroft. “It’s a fantastic surface and I don’t think too many teams will object unless they have older players that they want to give games to. “It’s a fantastic place to play any game of football.” --------------- Defender discusses international duty mansfieldtown.net, Thursday 18 October 2018 Mansfield centre-back Krystian Pearce has reflected on his second experience of the season with the Barbados national team, after returning to club matters on Tuesday. The defender started Barbados’ CONCACAF Nations League qualifier against El Salvador at the weekend, a game that they lost 3-0 against a side that sit level on points with group leaders Curacao. Despite the loss, the defender maintains that to represent Barbados is a ‘proud moment’ for him. “I got back [to England] on Monday morning at about eight o’clock,” said Pearce. “It was a long day of travelling, but I’m back now and ready to go. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/october/pearce-pre-swindon/ “It [flights] was 23 hours on the way there, and 25 hours on the way back, and three flights each way. Tuesday I had a bit of a recovery day, and today I feel a lot better. “We were always going to be the underdogs for that game [against El Salvador]. We went in there to try and defend and maybe come out with a point, but we conceded quite early in the game and it was a tough game from there. “It’s a big thing for me because my dad is from Barbados, so it was a proud moment when I got my first cap. It’s coming up to the first home game next month as well, so it’s a good feeling. I’ve got a few relatives out there [Barbados]. “I started out playing for England under-17s and under-19s, so for a few years after that I was hoping to get back into the England setup. But it got to a point where I wanted to play for Barbados and it took a few years to actually get the call-up. “It happened through my dad being out there and he met the assistant technical director at a function. They exchanged numbers, and he put my name forward. “We’re trying to qualify for the Gold Cup as Barbados have never done it before. They’ve never qualified for any major tournament so that’s the next step for us. “Their [Barbados] setup isn’t as good as ours, but they try and do the right things. Their standard of coaching isn’t as high as ours so I try and help and give my input when I can.” Pearce went on to discuss the five-at-the-back system implemented by manager David Flitcroft at Mansfield, one that he has adjusted to well, with the aid of summer signing Matt Preston. “We’re all comfortable in our positions,” he added. “With Pressie [Matt Preston] coming in and doing well, he’s played this system before. It helped us gel a lot quicker. “From playing this system and being from Birmingham as well, we [myself and Preston] share a car together, so it’s been quite easy to gel. “It’s been frustrating that we haven’t got the wins I think we deserve. As a team we’re playing good football. It’s probably the best football I’ve been part of since I’ve been at the club. I’m happy with the way it’s going at the moment. “I try and lead by example [as captain]. I try and lead through my performances and do the right things on and off the field. Me and the gaffer have a good relationship. The defender also looked ahead to Saturday’s game against Swindon Town in Sky Bet League Two, and emphasised the importance of picking up clean sheets throughout the season. “We’ve been playing some good football and haven’t got the results we feel we deserve. We’ve always been stronger in the second half of the season so if we can start picking up wins from now, we’ll do well. “It’s going to be a tough game [against Swindon]. Obviously it’s the gaffer’s old club so there’s going to be a bit of rivalry there. It’s going to be a tough game. “I take pride as a defender at trying to keep clean sheets. As a collective, we’re all trying to work towards that and get as many clean sheets as possible. “We always want to keep a clean sheet so when we don’t, it’s always a frustration for us.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Krystian Pearce’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ---------------------- Mansfield Town star Pearce loving international football, despite El Salvador grueller chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 18 October 2018 Mansfield Town skipper Krystian Pearce is loving his first taste of international football. Having long since abandoned hopes of a return to the England set-up he was once part of, Pearce has been thrilled to be called up for Barbados at the age of 28. And, despite two gruelling journeys and a 3-0 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying defeat in El Salvador on Sunday, Pearce loved every minute of earning his second cap a month after his debut in Guyana. “I got back about 8am on Monday,” he said. “It was a long day of travelling but I am back now and ready to go. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-star-pearce-loving-international-football-despite-el-salvador-grueller-1-9402961 “I was away for five days and two of those days were travelling. “It was 23 hours on the way there and 25 hours on the way back - three flights each way. “Tuesday I had a bit of a recovery day. We weren’t in on Wednesday so today I obviously feel a lot better. “I enjoyed the experience. Obviously it’s a bit different from League football.” The El Salvador trip turned out to be every bit as difficult as expected. “We were always going to be the underdogs and we knew it would be a tough game for us,” said Pearce. “El Salvador are a strong team. They are a typical South American team and like to pass it. They have wingers with tricks and a few flair players in their team which we tried to nullify. “We just went in there trying to defend and maybe come out with a point but we conceded quite early in the game and it was tough for us from there. “We got undone by a mistake and from there it was a struggle to get back into the game.” Swindon return for Mansfield Town boss Flitcroft Pearce admitted he is very proud to represent Barbados. “It’s a big thing for me,” he said. “My dad’s from Barbados so it was a proud moment when I got my first cap. “He is coming out to the first home game next month as well. It’s a good feeling. “I still have a few relatives out there - my granny is out there still and a few of my dad’s aunties.” Pearce admitted 28 was late to start an international career. “It is quite late to be called up, but obviously I started out playing for England U17s and U19s and for a few years after that I was hoping to get back into the England set-up,” he said. “But I got to a point where I thought I want to play for Barbados now and it’s taken a few years to actually get the call-up. I am grateful that it’s happened now. “It actually happened through my dad being out there and he met the assistant technical director at a function. They exchanged numbers and I called him. He put my name forward.” On his country’s ambitions, he said: “We are trying to qualify for the Gold Cup - they have never done it before. “They have never qualified for any major tournament so that’s the next step for us - and trying to get as high in the rankings as possible. “I have only played the two games so far and they have been very different games so it’s hard to say how they compare to home at the moment. “Their set-up is not as good as ours, but they try to do the right things. Their standard of coaching isn’t as high as ours so I try to help where I can and give my input. It’s definitely a work in progress.” Now Pearce must turn his attentions to more domestic matters and Saturday’s trip to Swindon Town. “It will be a tough game and it’s the gaffer’s old club so there is going to be a lot of rivalry there,” he said. “I think we’ve been playing some good football but haven’t got the results we thought we’d deserved. “We have always been stronger in the second half of a season so if we can start picking up wins now, when it comes to the second half of the season we will do well. “We have got one of the best defences in the league and a lot of clean sheets so far. But we need to improve on scoring more goals as a team. “We need to turn some of the draws into wins. “As a team I think we are playing good football - probably the best football we’ve played since I have been at the club. So I am happy with the way it’s going at the moment.” As skipper Pearce intends to continue leading by example. “It’s an honour to be captain - to be club captain is a major thing for me,” he said. “I try to lead by example through my performances and doing the right things on and off the field - just being me really.” ------------------------ Diamond retirement a shocker for Mansfield Town skipper Pearce chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 18 October 2018 Mansfield Town skipper Krystian Pearce was shocked to return home from international duty and find his predecessor Zander Diamond had decided to retire from professional football. Diamond had captained the side last season but suffered a back injury that, despite an operation, has forced him into a huge career decision. Pearce returned to the club after playing for Barbados in El Salvador and admitted: “It was shocking news about Zander and I will reach out to him later and wish him all the best for the future. “He has been a great servant for the club and all the clubs he has been at so I wish him well. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/diamond-retirement-a-shocker-for-mansfield-town-skipper-pearce-1-9403614 “He was a solid defender who wore his heart on his sleeve.” ------------------- Strong defensive record stems from training - Preston mansfieldtown.net, Thursday 18 October 2018 Stags’ defender Matt Preston has cited the reason for Mansfield’s solid defensive record as being the emphasis put on positioning and shape by manager David Flitcroft. Mansfield boast the second best defensive record in Sky Bet League Two, having only conceded nine goals in 11 games thus far. Preston, who has featured regularly in the Stags’ back-five this season, says the resilience in front of the Mansfield goal comes from being ‘drilled’ on shape in training. “The number one thing to that [defensive record] is being drilled on shape,” said the defender. “I think as a back three or back five we’re very well drilled on where we need to be. The defensive mentality we have is to be robust. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/october/preston-pre-swindon/ “We just have to be better in both boxes, both defensively and offensively. In the key moments it takes that bit of finesse or that bit of quality to put the ball away, or takes that bit of resilience to keep the ball out of the net. “That’s what we’re lacking at the minute, but I think with more games and more minutes, the results will come. “I think it’s just a matter of time. I think it’s going to take just one result or one instance where things will start clicking. “Like we’ve said before, we’re getting chance after chance every game, so if we can start scoring those and keep the defensive shape that we’ve got, it’s only a winning thing. “I think it [training] has [been good] since I’ve been here. The gaffer finds the balance between working hard and working too hard. But at the same time, trying to drill us on the things we are not getting right.” Preston faces a return to former club Swindon Town on Saturday, after joining the Stags from the Robins in May of this year. The 23-year-old says although he has no bad memories of his time at Swindon, he will go into Saturday’s game determined to win. “I don’t hold any bad thoughts towards Swindon,” he added. “They treated me like one of their own since I joined there. But of course I want to go there and win. Who doesn’t want to go and beat the team that they’ve been at? “But, like I say, I don’t hold any bad thoughts against them. They treated me so well. It will be good to go back and see a few of the players I played with. “From what was there last season, I think they have made some good signings. With the new manager, Phil Brown, he was always going to do that. “I think they have started quite well. I think they are in a similar position to us because it’s about getting the results at the right time for them as well." The defender also featured in the weekend’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Birmingham City, and described the 1-1 draw as a worthwhile test, following the postponement of the scheduled Sky Bet League Two fixture against Grimsby Town. “It was a good test for us [against Birmingham]. We’ve not been getting the results we have been wanting [in the league], so to have been given a week off would have been tricky. “It was a game where you had to be self-motivated to play in it, and I think we were. They put up quite a good team so it was always going to be a tough test. “The results haven’t been going our way but we need to keep doing the right things and keep playing the way we have been, and the results will turn.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Matt Preston’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------ Preston relishing Swindon Town return with Mansfield Town on Saturday. chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 18 October 2018 Mansfield Town defender Matt Preston is unsure what reception he will receive at his old club on Saturday, but doesn’t have a bad word to say about his time at Swindon Town. Preston was signed at Swindon by his current Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft last season and duly followed his manager to the One Call Stadium in the summer. Now, ahead of his first time back at the County Ground, he said: “I was very thankful for the gaffer taking me on back then as a young player coming from Walsall. “Moving from your parent club, your mentality towards football completely changes. When you come through the system at a club you’re always seen as a young player. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/preston-relishing-swindon-town-return-with-mansfield-town-on-saturday-1-9403156 “When you move on, the new club sees you almost as an established player. It gives you more confidence. It’s all to do with mentality. “In the manager’s eyes I can see I might have been a bit of a gamble. But he took the gamble and hopefully for him it paid off.” Preston is looking forward to Saturday, saying: “It’s added spice going back to your old club. “But I don’t hold any bad thoughts towards Swindon. They treated me like one of their own from when I joined. “But of course I want to go there and win. Who doesn’t want to beat the team they’ve been at? “The players, staff and fans treated me so well and it will be good to go back and see a few of the old players that I played with. I’ve had a few messages off a few of them saying they will give me some stick so we’ll see how it goes! “I am not sure what sort of reception I will get there. I am hoping a positive one. We will have to see how it goes on the day. “I can understand if it’s a bad one and I can understand if it’s a good one. “They have made some good signings since last season. The new manager was always going to do that.” Swindon return for Mansfield Town boss Flitcroft With no game last weekend, Stags ticked over with a friendly at Birmingham City. “It was a good test for us. I can see why the gaffer wanted to play the game,” said Preston. “We have not been getting the results we wanted from a few of the games and I think to have been given the weekend off when things are not going quite the way you want them to would have been tricky. “It was one of those games where you have to be self-motivated to play in it - and I think we were. “They put up quite a good team and it was a good game. “We needed to keep playing, keep doing the right things, and if we keep playing the way we have been the results will turn.” Stags have a fine defensive record this season and are still unbeaaten away from home. Preston said: “The number one thing for me is being drilled on shape, where to be when they have the ball in regard to a defensive shape, knowing where each player has to be when you lose the ball, the rough shape we have to fall back into, and being tough to break down.” He added: “It feels too long since we played a League game and it will be good to get back to it this Saturday and hopefully start winning some games.” --------------------- |
Latest | October 2018