Archived News from November 2018
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FLITCROFT, HAMILTON, LEE BOWYER REACTION
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Manager credits players after battling display
mansfieldtown.net, 11 November 2018 Proud Stags’ boss David Flitcroft was delighted with his side’s display in this afternoon’s 1-1 draw against League One outfit Charlton Athletic. Wing-man CJ Hamilton put Mansfield ahead on the stroke of half-time with his pinpoint finish, before left-back Toby Stevenson equalised just shy of 15 minutes full-time of the Emirates FA Cup first round clash. The manager believes that his side’s quality came as a surprise to the Addicks, who currently sit sixth in League One. “In our first half performance, I’m not sure if Charlton were expecting a League Two smash and grab and to go and dominate us, because it didn’t happen,” he said. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/november/gaffer-post-charlton/ “We thoroughly deserved the lead after the first half. We caused them endless problems. We went into half-time with our tails up. We moved them about well and represented what we are about. “They got back into the game but we wrestled that momentum back. We caused them a lot of problems all game. “I’m delighted with how we’ve represented the club today. When we knew it was on Remembrance Sunday, I told the players about the importance of this day. Our players have represented that whole movement today. “It was a calculated game and we kept the ball well and made good decisions. We looked technically good today. “I’m looking forward to going down to Charlton on a Tuesday night under the lights. It’s going to be good.” After seeing the equalising goal once more after the match, the Stags’ boss insisted it was offside, but says they will not dwell on the decision in the lead-up to the replay on Tuesday 20 November. “It [Charlton’s goal] is a million per cent offside. And it’s quite an easy one to give. It’s important that they get that right. “We’re not victims. It’s happened now and we’ll get on with it. We’ll go down there [Charlton] to represent and do everything possible to get into that next round. “I spoke to a few League One managers and they have them [Charlton] down as one of the best sides in the league. They were missing some key players today, but there are still good players in that team. “We didn’t just go toe-to-toe with them. We were aggressive, calculated and precise with our work. I’m glad that the players have been able to represent against a League One side again. “As a squad, the lads have backed each other up today. It’s another game unbeaten which is really important.” The manager was also full of praise for wide-man Hamilton, whose strike opened the scoring just before half-time. “CJ Hamilton today, how he’s not on the winning team [I don’t know]. He’s the quickest thing I’ve seen on the pitch! “I’m gutted that CJ has not ended up on the winning team. We have seen more signs that he is getting better. “Today he looked free, and he was very good.” Next up for the Stags is a Checkatrade Trophy clash against Scunthorpe United at One Call Stadium on Tuesday, and the manager hinted at using a youthful lineup for the match. “We’ll get the boys’ recovery strategies in [ahead of Tuesday]. We’ll gather that information and pick a team that can play. “We have three boys on the bench today from the academy. You have to earn that in life. They deserve to be on the bench. “I can elevate them on Tuesday night which is a really good game to do that. I am excited to see a few of our younger players perform.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------ David Flitcroft furious after ‘offside’ Charlton Athletic goal denies Mansfield Town in FA Cup chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Sunday 11 November 2018 Mansfield Town manager David Flitcroft was furious that Charlton Athletic’s ‘offside’ equaliser was allowed to stand in today’s 1-1 FA Cup home draw. CJ Hamilton had Stags ahead only for Toby Stevenson to poke home a loose ball over the line from close range. “I don’t think the linesman or any of his team have helped him out. But it’s an important decision he’s got wrong,” he said. “It was a massive claim and I think you can tell by players’ reactions. You get a gut feeling. “I have seen it afterwards and the kid was offside. If he’d not touched it it wouldn’t have mattered, but he did.” Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/david-flitcroft-furious-after-offside-charlton-athletic-goal-denies-mansfield-town-in-fa-cup-1-9438866 Otherwise, Flitcroft was delighted with his side. “We have taken a League One team on today, but not in League Two style,” he said. “I am gutted we are not in the next round outright, but we’ve still got a chance. We are still in there fighting and that’s important in the Cup. “It gives our boys the chance to travel down to Charlton, which is a fantastic football club, playing a very good team on a brilliant pitch under the Tuesday night lights. “We will relish and look forward to that. It’s a team and a club with stature and tradition.” Flitcroft added: “I told them at the end to be proud of themselves as they have stood man for man on a very important, unique day, representing the club and the town. “I was absolutely delighted with the way they committed to each other. They put a real shift in and we moved the ball around brilliantly. “The back three were immaculate - outstanding. “We don’t know how to get beaten at the moment. We were brave playing three strikers which we knew would give them problems. “We deserved to be in front at half-time. But no two games of football are ever the same. You never really dominate a team for 90 minutes, let alone a League One club. “But Bobby only had one save to make and they didn’t really threaten us.” Hamilton’s pace terrified Charlton all day and, after his storming opening goal, he was hauled down by Bily Clarke when trying to break clear again. “CJ’s performance was show-stopping. The kid had to nearly assault him to bring him down late on,” he said. “It was a professional foul and if it’s that blatant we maybe need to alter the rules. It was ridiculous - it was like WWF. He dragged him down.” ------------------------------ Later story: Mansfield Town get official apology over offside goal that forced FA Cup replay at Charlton chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 17 November 2018 Mansfield Town have received an official apology over the offside goal that allowed Charlton Athletic to force tomorrow night’s (Tuesday, 7.45) FA Cup first round replay at the Valley. Stags were furious Toby Stevenson’s equaliser was allowed to stand by referee Ollie Yates 17 minutes from the end of the 1-1 draw and their views have now been backed by the Referee’s Association which is a small crumb of comfort for Stags boss David Flitcroft. “The Referees’ Association has apologised for the offside goal. We’ve had that sent through and I do respect them for that,” he said. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-get-official-apology-over-offside-goal-that-forced-fa-cup-replay-at-charlton-1-9451659 “There is a procedure that they want to make referees better and I am all for that. I help them in different ways to try to do that.” He added: “It was a fantastic performance from us at the One Call last week and it has given us the opportunity to go down to London and represent us again - and we’ll be doing that with everything we’ve got.” ------------- Young stars to play in final Mansfield Town Checkatrade group game chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Sunday 11 November 2018 Manager David Flitcroft will showcase some of the next generation of Mansfield Town stars in tomorrow night’s final Checkatrade Trophy Northern Group H game at home to Scunthorpe United (7.45pm). The Stags are already through to the knockout stages of the competition. Mansfield drew 1-1 at home to Charlton in the FA Cup yesterday, so this game comes around very fast for Flitcroft to juggle his squad and adhere to competition rules. But he was quite relaxed about it, saying: “With all the travel we’ve had recently, the Sunday game gave us a bit more chance to recover from that and an emotional game against Grimsby on Tuesday night. “They have relaxed the Checkatrade rules a bit too now so I want to be playing some younger players like Lewis Gibbens, Jordan Graham, Jason Law and Alistair Smith. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/young-stars-to-play-in-final-mansfield-town-checkatrade-group-game-1-9439593?fbclid=IwAR0EM11mKP9zLfpuiMgscrQ9QDwIYn0qw4L6Mskj_02OmwopJkOWveBSHf4 “It’s important we can so our supporters get to see our next generation. “Let them get excited about the players that have been hidden in our system for so long. I get excited by it. “And, with such a small, competitive squad, we still have some experienced players that might have to play in the game too.” The manager was not getting upset about two games so close together, adding: “Some people have to go out and graft on a building site for seven days a week or do other manual jobs. “We get to play football and live out your dream and I remind the players about that all the time when people start talking about busy schedules.” Admission for the game is just £10 adults and £5 concessions with no increase on matchday. Fans should note that only the Ian Greaves Stand lower tier (blocks A-E) and Ian Greaves upper tier (P-R) will be open for the fixture. Only these blocks will open for the match in an attempt to reduce stewarding costs. Mansfield Town are ball six in tonight’s FA Cup draw The Quarry Lane Stand will not be open for this fixture. The Checkatrade Trophy Round of 32 will be played week commencing Monday, 3rd December. ------------------ Player versatility the key to Mansfield Town’s unbeaten run chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft said the club’s current excellent run of results was down to the versatility and flexibility of his playing squad. Stags have mostly used a 3-5-2 formation but can switch with ease to other systems, which Flitcroft said had taken a lot of hard work, and they are now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions and in the play-off spots. “The credit for the current unbeaten run is down to the players, the staff and support I had in the summer from the chairman and Carolyn, and also our supporters,” he said ahead of tonight’s visit of Scunthorpe United in the Checkatrade Trophy. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/player-versatility-the-key-to-mansfield-town-s-unbeaten-run-1-9441076 “You have got to be flexible in football or any industry as the world changes. “People who are good in business and industry have got to be able to see the next big trend. You can’t just go ‘4-4-2 worked a few years ago so it’s going to work again’. “I think it’s because of the foreign influence in the Premiership, it gets cascaded down to the Championship and onwards. “You have very good foreign managers now - look at David Wagner at Huddersfield and how he revolutionised the way they play. They got promoted so he was successful with it. The foreign model is good. “The way Wolves played last season to get to the Premiership was phenomenal. “So we have got to improve. League One is a brilliant league now - it’s really catching up with what the Championship’s doing. It was quite direct at one point a few years ago.” He added: “You have got to have flexible players, and we have. I think CJ Hamilton represents flexibility more than any other player. “CJ has been inconsistent over a couple of seasons, now he has played nearly every minute of every game.” Flitcroft said the gamble to play four Championship sides in pre-season had also paid off with confidence levels boosted, but acknowledged it could have rebounded on them. “We did make it a difficult pre-season. We played some good local teams - look at what Sheffield United are doing now in the Championship,” he said. "We could have got beaten every game - it was a risky strategy. “We didn’t have much momentum from a disappointing end to last season. “But we have built and put in some long, hard miles.” Flitcroft also paid tribute to the supporters’ backing, citing their noise as the reason why Stags came from behind to beat Grimsby at home last week. “Our supporters have been brilliant,” he said. “Last week they were loud, they were vocal, it was robust. “Our second half performance especially engaged our supporters to brilliant levels. “After a tough day at work, to come out on a Tuesday night and watch us and support us as they did was fantastic. “I watched the players respond to that with that fight and never-say-die attitude - that represents our supporters and the town. “I want to try to build a football team here that dominates possession and I hope people stick with what we’re trying to do as they have so far.” ------------------- Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft planning squad review with John and Carolyn Radford chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town manager David Flitcroft is planning a squad review with chairman John Radford and CEO Carolyn Radford ahead of the January transfer window. Stags are currently 12 games unbeaten and have good competition for places, but the trio need to assess what, if anything, is needed to add to the mix for the second half of the campaign. Flitcroft would also like to improve the club’s scouting system. “It is something I will sit down with the chairman and Carolyn and see where we are at. “We don’t have anyone doing the recruitment at the minute. When we came in it wasn’t right, so we have done all the recruitment ourselves to ensure the targets we got fitted into what we’re doing. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-david-flitcroft-planning-squad-review-with-john-and-carolyn-radford-1-9445523 “Now it’s a case of how do we keep improving? “It does need looking at. We don’t employ one scout, though we get out to games. “The loan signings were all calculated decisions, not whims. I had been tracking Tyler Walker for some time since I was at Bury. I’d done my homework on him as I had with Ryan Sweeney when he went to Bristol Rovers. Obviously I had already worked with Timi Elsnik.” --------------------- Injured Mansfield Town defender unlikely to be back before Christmas chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Hopes of having injured David Mirfin back in the Mansfield Town first team by Christmas now look overly optimistic. But the experienced centre half could be back in training in a couple of weeks, facing his own mini pre-season and a lot of reserve outings before he could be considered for a full return to the fold. Mirfin has not played since 6th December 2017 when he suffered a knee injury at Blackpool. “He is doing really well but he’s been a long time out. He has about another two weeks to go before he is back in full-time training with us,” said boss David Flitcroft. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/injured-mansfield-town-defender-unlikely-to-be-back-before-christmas-1-9445512 “If we’re doing shape with no contact we involve Dave as it’s important mentally to have him in and around it. “After that you are then looking at a real pre-season methodology. “He won’t be able to play on the 3G where our games could be played. So we’ll have to reschedule them and get him his own games programme which we’re working on. “It will be a real individualised programme he comes back to. “At every stage we won’t be pushing him too quick. We have to get it right. “It will really crank up for him over the next four to six weeks, but then you’re looking at getting him six to eight games in before we all believe he is game-ready to come into our environment ----------------- Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft delighted as Jacob Mellis hits top form chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town’s former Chelsea midfielder Jacob Mellis is starting to hit top form, which is delighting boss David Flitcroft and fans alike. Mellis, 27, had to sit out a three-game ban following the pre-season mass brawl against Sheffield Wednesday but is now starting to run the show. “I had Jacob Mellis when I was at Barnsley and at Bury,” said Flitcroft. “When he was is in the the form he’s in now he is unplayable. He’s found that form again. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-david-flitcroft-delighted-as-jacob-mellis-hits-top-form-1-9445541 “That inconsistency he’s had at the start of the season with what happened against Sheffield Wednesday, left him catching up. “But playing Saturday/Tuesday has helped him gain that rhythm. “He is a fantastic player and he’s showing real signs of that at the moment.” ----------------------- Winger lauds praise on Stags' cup display mansfieldtown.net, 11 November 2018 Mansfield wingman CJ Hamilton praised the Stags' positive performance levels despite being pegged back to draw 1-1 with Charlton Athletic. Hamilton produced a moment of brilliance just shy of the half-time interval when he unleashed a rasping strike that found the back of the net via the post. However, Toby Stevenson stabbed the ball home on 73 minutes to ensure the Addicks would earn a replay at The Valley. And Hamilton, who caused problems aplenty for the visitors, reflected upon the full-time result with emphasis directed towards the positive nature of the hosts’ performance levels. “Everyone put in a real good shift,” he stated. “You could see they [Charlton] are a very good team, in the top six or seven in League One. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/november/hamilton-post-charlton/ “They can play football and we put our game against them, defending excellently for most of the game. “[Krystian] Pearce, [Matt] Preston and [Ryan] Sweeney were all good at the back and we also created a lot of chances going forward. “We did the best we could but we bring it down to The Valley now and hope we win down there.” The 23-year-old was a thorn in Charlton’s side all afternoon and deserved to break the deadlock at One Call Stadium with a fine finish. “I’ve been told by Futch [Ben Futcher, assistant manager] and the gaffer to shoot a lot more, so obviously I’ve seen the gap today and it went in. “I did at first [know it was going in] because I saw it arrowing towards goal, but then as it went towards the post I wasn’t sure if it was going to rebound back out or not,” he admitted. “But luckily it hit the net.” Hamilton then outlined his personal targets after producing an impressive performance in front of the Stags’ faithful. “I was enjoying myself today - I love getting the ball and running at people. That’s what I’m put in the team to do and I’ve done it today. “I feel like I’ve been hitting good form [this season] but I think I can go up more levels - today was another level. “Hopefully I can keep adding more goals and assists and keep fighting for the team, too. “It [the result] gives us a lot of confidence to take on teams essentially a full league ahead of us. Then it gives us confidence going into our league week in, week out.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch CJ’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. --------------------- CJ Hamilton says FA Cup draw will boost Mansfield Town’s confidence chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Sunday 11 November 2018 CJ Hamilton’s shoot on sight orders paid dividends today as he netted a superb goal in Mansfield Town’s 1-1 home FA Cup first round draw with Charlton Athletic. Hamilton struck the opener from 16 yards off the far post after a thrilling run down the left and afterwards said: “I have been told by the manager to shoot a lot more when I can. I saw the gap, took it and luckily it went in. “When I saw it going towards the post I wasn’t sure if it would rebound out or hit the net. Thankfully it hit the net.” Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/cj-hamilton-says-fa-cup-draw-will-boost-mansfield-town-s-confidence-1-9438891 He added: “Everyone put in a really good shift. Charlton are a really good team up there in the top six in League One. “They can play football and we defended excellently today as well as creating chances going forward.” However, Charlton forced a replay though Toby Stevenson’s 73rd minute equaliser which replays showed was offside. “You could see by the reaction of some of our players that he was offside. He was standing on the line before the ball even came in,” said Hamilton. “We did the best we could, but we have to go down to the Valley now and try to win it down there. “It gives us a lot of confidence to go back into our league now and try to beat teams week in week out.” Hamilton tried to burst clear near the end only to be wrestled to the ground by Billy Clarke. “The gaffer said it was nearly GBH. It’s frustrating as I was nearly through if I’d got past him,” he said. ------------------- Lee Bowyer on Charlton’s draw with Mansfield and getting ready for Tuesday https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5be8630c7cedd/lee-bowyer-on-charltons-draw-with-mansfield-and-getting-ready-for-tuesday Lee Bowyer was frustrated with Charlton’s performance in Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup draw against Mansfield Town. After falling behind to CJ Hamilton’s opener on the stroke of half-time, Toby Stevenson netted in the second half to earn a young Addicks side a replay. The draw means that Charlton will be back in action in 48 hours when they take on Swansea City U21 in the Checkatrade Trophy and Bowyer was disappointed that his team were not able to win at the One Call Stadium. “It was a tough test,” he said. “They [Mansfield] are a decent side and you can tell why they are where they are in their league. They move the ball well and they scored a good goal. “I was impressed with Hamilton, he was a good threat for them. For us, we were poor in the first half. Second half, we improved a little bit and we started to pass eventually but we gave the ball away so cheaply so many times and that’s not like us. “But it was a good test. There were a lot of youngsters out there, so it was good for them. Toby handled himself well - I’d say that was his first 'proper' game - and he scored again. “The odd positive was there but I’m disappointed because the draw and the replay was the worst possible outcome, for me. Now we have a replay and them lads are having to play again on Tuesday, which is crazy. “It’s our own fault, though - we should have scored three in the first half, we weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal and then Nicky goes through on goal in the second half and you’d normally back him to score that.” The draw adds another game to the Addicks’ schedule. With the squad already hit with a number of injuries, Bowyer admits that it is one they could do without but also one that presents his squad players with another chance to impress. He said: “We aren’t having much luck with injuries at the moment. Two dislocated shoulders on Tuesday; you’re unlucky to get two of them in a season, let alone one game. “We are running out of numbers again, so these lads need to step up. We’re going to need everyone - I said that to them in the dressing room - and we’re going to need them to put their names forward to me through their performances.” --------------------- Lee Bowyer on his man of the match against Mansfield and Billy Clarke’s return https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5be85336b6dba/lee-bowyer-on-his-man-of-the-match-against-mansfield-and-billy-clarkes-return Lee Bowyer labelled Anfernee Dijksteel as ‘exceptional’ following Charlton’s 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town in the Emirates FA Cup first round on Sunday. A young Addicks side came from behind to earn a replay against the Stags, thanks to Toby Stevenson’s second-half equaliser, and Dijksteel played 90 minutes at centre-back. And Bowyer was full of praise for the Dutchman on an afternoon where Charlton were not firing on all cylinders. “I have to say, I thought Anfernee Dijksteel was unbelievable,” he said. “He never gave the ball away, he never got beaten. “He intercepted things and everything that came into his area he stopped, no crosses went in from his side and his whole performance was exceptional.” On goalscorer Stevenson - who made it four goals in just two senior appearances - Bowyer added: “He was very good and he handled himself well. It wasn’t easy for him but he did well and he’s nicked another goal. His performance was a positive for me.” The match also saw Billy Clarke make his long-awaited return to action. The Irishman has missed the last 11 months with a knee injury but came off the bench to feature for the last 20 minutes. Bowyer said: “It’s good for Billy, he has been out for a long time and he did well. We put him at the bottom of the diamond just so he could get on the ball and play because that’s what he does. “He’s a good footballer and it’s good that he got through that. He’ll probably start on Tuesday [in the Checkatrade Trophy] because it’s going to be the same lads going again.” ------------------- Lee Bowyer bemoans worst possible outcome as Charlton are taken to FA Cup 1st round replay by Mansfield Town londonnewsonline.co.uk, by Louis Mendez Lee Bowyer says that Charlton’s 1-1 FA Cup draw at Mansfield was the worst possible outcome for his depleted side as they now have to add a replay into their congested fixture list. Toby Stevenson’s fourth goal in two games for the Addicks seventeen minutes from time cancelled out CJ Hamilton’s first-half opener to ensure the two sides will have to do it all again the at The Valley in the week after next. It also meant that the South Londoners’ EFL Trophy tie with Swansea u21s will have to be played in just two day’s time - the game was going to be moved to the week after if no replay was required after the FA Cup clash with the Stags. “You stay in the cup but that’s the worst outcome possible for us,” said Bowyer. “Now we’ve got to play Tuesday. A lot of them out there today have got to play 48 hours later. It’s ridiculous. It is what it is though, you can’t change it. We should have won the game though. We missed three clear-cut chances first-half. Nicky had a one v one second-half. We weren’t ruthless enough. We didn’t play well first-half. We were poor. Didn’t pass the ball. Second-half we were a little bit better overall disappointing for me today.” https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-bemoans-worst-possible-outcome-as-charlton-are-taken-to-fa-cup-1st-round-replay-by-mansfield-town/ Bowyer was able to hand a first appearance in 11 months to Billy Clarke. The Irishman suffered an ACL injury last December and came off the bench with twenty minutes left to play at Field Mill. “It’s great to see him back,” admitted Bowyer. “He’s been out for so long. It must have been frustrating for him. I just wanted to get him on for some minutes, just to get a feel of it again. When I brought him on, he doesn’t give the ball away. I put him at the bottom of the diamond and he got on the ball and tried to make things happen. I’m really pleased for him.” Stevenson bundled home from a corner to keep the tie alive for the Addicks, but he was one of the few men who performed on the day according to Bowyer. “I thought [Stevenson] played well today. This is the first proper game, I’d say, that he’s played. The Checkatrade one you can’t really count that. But I thought he handled himself well. I don’t think he knew much about the goal but I thought he did well. “Anfernee Dijksteel was outstanding today. Dillon Phillips made some good saves. But apart from that not much to rave about.” ------------------------------ Later story: Monday 19 November 2018 https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5bf295b32ae05/bowyer-wants-his-side-to-use-home-advantage-in-tomorrows-fa-cup-replay-against-mansfield-town Charlton boss Lee Bowyer is expecting his side to use home advantage in tomorrow’s FA Cup first round replay against Mansfield Town. He said: “It was a good test for the lads that played that Sunday. They are a decent side. I thought they did well, but being at home I’ll be looking for us to go and win the game. “They’re a good side. They’ve got some good threats. I thought (CJ) Hamilton on the left was a good outlet for them and scored a good goal against us. Two good experienced midfielders, which was a good test for our young lads Taylor (Maloney) and George (Lapslie), in the first game. They’ve got some good players and they try and play. No disrespect to a lot of League Two but a lot of sides don’t, they play a lot of long ball but Mansfield they try to play and it was a good test for us and it will be another good test for us tomorrow.” ---------------------- |
Latest | November 2018