Archived News from September 2019
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INJURY NEWS: MAYNARD FIT
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Potential return of trio a ‘massive boost’ - manager
mansfieldtown.net, 29 August 2019 Manager John Dempster is hopeful of having three of his ‘big hitters’ available for the Stags’ clash with Sky Bet League Two leaders Exeter City on Saturday. Club captain Krystian Pearce missed the amber and blue’s 0-0 draw with Stevenage at One Call stadium last Saturday, along with wing-back Kellan Gordan and striker Nicky Maynard. The boss revealed Maynard will definitely be in contention to feature against the Grecians and is optimistic about Pearce and Gordon’s chances. “Nicky Maynard will train today and we expect Krystian Pearce and Kellan Gordon to hopefully train tomorrow. Slowly but surely, we're getting some of our big hitters back,” he said. “It’s massive to have them back, KP [Krystian Pearce] is club captain and a massive part of the football club. He’s club captain and has been here for a number of years. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/august/gaffer-pre-exeter/ “Kellan is a young player who’s come in and took to it like a duck water, he’s a really good young pro’ and it hasn’t fazed him at all. “Nicky Maynard is a massive player for us so to have all three of those players back in contention will give the whole club a massive boost.” Speaking at a 9.30am news conference at The RH Academy, the manager added that Stags are still looking to bolster their squad before deadline day, with the manager expecting to complete a deal for ‘an attacking player’ who can ‘stretch teams’ later today. “We’re looking at a couple of loan options, hopefully one of them will become clearer at the end of play today and there might be one other which could happen by the weekend. “He’s an attacking player who can stretch teams, get in behind and score goals. He is somebody who has lots of energy and will complement what we already have in the squad. He will give us another option in the attacking side of the pitch.” The boss was impressed with the performances of his young players in Tuesday night’s draw against Everton under-21s at One Call Stadium in the Leasing.com Trophy, as well as the form of forward Omari Sterling-James. “Tuesday's game [against Everton] was a good exercise for the young players and we took massive positives from the game. “It was great to see Clarkey [James Clarke] and Gibbens [Lewis Gibbens] step up, I thought they were outstanding. I thought Aidan Stone was very good in goal as well, he showed good composure and distribution. "I've had a number of discussions with Omari [Sterling-James] and he is a player with good ability. Omari has given it his all while I've been in charge and he's reaping the benefits at the minute." The boss gave attacking midfielder Tyrese Sinclair his professional debut against the Toffees, someone he knows well from his time managing the youth team. "Tyrese [Sinclair] was desperate to get on the pitch and is a player who loves playing football. He has real potential because he can create and score goals. “He’s got real ability and is a little gem who will hopefully pop up later on to help this football club.” John Dempster has placed an emphasis on defending in training, ahead of their trip to Devon on Saturday, but stressed the Stags are still working on their attacking play. "We're still emphasising defending in training but we've also been doing a lot of work in the final third. It's important that you keep practising those basics and doing the basics well. "You look at chances created over the last two games and they were in abundance. We're creating the chances, we just need to go that one step further and put the ball in the back of the net." The Grecians are the early pacesetters in Sky Bet League Two after making an unbeaten start to the campaign and the manager revealed he has a lot of respect for Matt Taylor’s side. "Every football club in League Two is competitive. Exeter are a club I have a lot of respect for. They have a young manager and are very well supported at home by a passionate group of supporters. "Exeter are always up there challenging and have a lot of stability. The way the football club is run, you can't help but respect it. "They have good players and are dangerous. They'll attack us to go and win the game. We have to go there and spoil their good form. We'll go there in a confident mood." iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. --------------------- BBC Nottingham Sport @BBCRNS Better injury news from #Stags boss John Dempster ahead of Mansfield Town’s trip to Exeter. “Nicky Maynard has been passed fit and will train today. We’re hoping to have Krystian Pearce and Kellan Gordon back in training tomorrow which will be a massive boost for the squad.” ---------------- New striker expected to sign for Mansfield Town today with new defender also in the pipeline chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Mansfield Town are hoping to sign a new striker today and may also bring in a defender before Saturday’s trip to leaders Exeter City. Stags have been short on players in the last couple of weeks with nine first teamers out and so boss John Dempster is moving quickly to bolster his ranks ahead of Monday’s summer transfer window deadline. “We are looking at a couple of lads, maybe loan options, and hopefully one will be done by close of play today,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/new-striker-expected-to-sign-for-mansfield-town-today-with-new-defender-also-in-the-pipeline-1-9962927?fbclid=IwAR1oOmfzBgeVUfvCCVyhMdDmApp-rc9KmjEN7vMd3gGZnzKhJvtBvuvLojw “Then there could be one other which could happen towards the end of this week or over the weekend. “The first one is at attacking player with pace and someone who can stretch other teams, running behind. He can score goals and has lots of energy. “He is someone who will complement the players we’ve already got in the squad and someone who will give us a different option on the attacking side of the pitch. He will definitely strengthen us.” He continued: “The second player may take a little longer to get over the line and would be more of a defensive player. “He is someone who could do a combination of playing in a back four or three and maybe also being able to play as a defensive midfielder. “I think we need support in both areas and we are looking to get that complete as soon as possible, but it could drag on over the weekend.” ---------------------- Injured trio hoping on Mansfield Town return at Exeter City chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Mansfield Town could have three of their walking wounded back for Saturday’s trip to Exeter. Stags have struggled on with nine first teamers unavailable. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/injured-trio-hoping-on-mansfield-town-return-at-exeter-city-1-9963403 But striker Nicky Maynard is back training after his hamstring injury and is likely to figure while skipper Krystian Pearce (ankle) and right back Kellan Gordon (back spasm) both have a chance too. “The injury list has eased every so slightly,” said manager John Dempster. “Nicky Maynard will train today and we expect Krystian Pearce and Kellan Gordon to hopefully train tomorrow. They are being assessed today. “So slowly, but surely, we have some of our big hitters coming back which will strengthen us. “We look forward to seeing them rejoin the squad in training and then helping us on Saturday.” Dempster said the trio’s return would give the lift a massive tonic. “It’s massive,” he said. “It goes without saying about KP. He’s club captain and a massive part of the football club - he’s been here for a number of years. “Kellan is a young player who has come in and took to it like a duck to water. It hasn’t fazed him at all. “He is a really good young pro, so credit to Derby County as the club that have produced him. “Nicky Maynard is a massive player for us, so to have those three players back in contention will give the whole football club a massive boost.” ------------------- Table-topping opponents Exeter City a great example how to build success says Mansfield Town boss John Dempster chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Mansfield Town head to League Two leaders Exeter City on Saturday with Stags boss John Dempster a big Grecians admirer, saying there were many parallels between the two clubs’ philosophies. Stags are trying to build a self-sustaining football club, based on a successful youth production line, and Dempster said Exeter are showing everyone how to do it well. “Exeter are a club I have a lot of respect for. There are similarities to our football club,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/video-table-topping-opponents-exeter-city-a-great-example-how-to-build-success-says-mansfield-town-boss-john-dempster-1-9963966 “They have a young manager, who is an ex-player. They are very well supported at home - they get behind their team. They are a passionate group of supporters. “They are also family-orientated as well, having picked up some award similar to ourselves. “We have got a football club to be proud of, certainly when you look at some of the off-the-field developments in the last couple of years.” He continued: “Where Exeter’s structure and philosophy is really impressive is that, although they will have a competitive budget, a lot of it is from academy success. “They have sold players on, they have academy graduates in the squad and in the team. It makes it a sustainable football club and they are always up there challenging. “They have got stability as well. They had a manager for a number of years and they replaced him with someone they trust and that knows the club inside out. “So, with the way that club is run, you can’t help but respect them. “A lot of clubs could learn from Exeter - looking at the recent demise of Bury and other clubs local to ourselves. “If you have a strategy and a vision that everybody shares it can make the club more sustainable and successful. “The club is supporter-owned and they are all singing off the same hymn sheet.” Dempster is not surprised to see the Grecians once again up there unbeaten. “They have got good players and a young manager (Matt Taylor) who’s had the experience from last season, which will be massive for him,” he said. “Exeter have good attacking players and have been playing a number of different formations, so they do have good flexibility. “They are dangerous. We won’t be up against a team worrying about Mansfield Town coming to town and thinking about sitting back and shutting up shop. “That won’t be the case. They will attack us and think we can win the game. But we will go there in confident mood and hope to go there and spoil their good form.” Dempster said he’d been encouraged by the number of opportunities his side are carving out each game. “We have created chances in abundance over the last two games - and that’s important,” he said. “I have played in sides when you don’t create a lot of chances or don’t feel like you’ve got a goal in you and that can be really frustrating. “We just need to go that one step further and get the ball in the back of the net. “I think it’s also important we emphasise we expect goals from different parts of the pitch. “Danny Rose and Nicky Maynard have started really well with their goalscoring. “But I expect to see goals from the likes of the centre backs, who can be a real force from set plays, and also, when you look back on history, it’s important you’ve got midfielders chipping in with goals as well.” ----------------------- Mansfield Town youngsters will benefit from Trophy clash with Everton U21s - John Demspter chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Despite a defeat on penalties, Mansfield Town boss John Dempster believes Tuesday night's home Leasings.com Trophy clash with Everton U21s will stand many of Stags youngsters in good stead for the future. The sides battled out an entertaining 1-1 draw before the spot-kicks saw the Toffees grab the extra point on offer. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-youngsters-will-benefit-from-trophy-clash-with-everton-u21s-john-demspter-1-9965325 But Mansfield started with six youngsters and sent another on during the 90 minutes. “I think both football clubs would have thought it was a good exercise for their young players,” said Dempster. “We were disappointed not to win the game and the penalty shoot-out was disappointing. “But it was great to see Clarkey (James Clarke) and Gibbo (Lewis Gibbens) step up. I thought they were outstanding. “Gibbo was solid and improved as the game progressed and it was another 90 minutes for Clarkey at right back, who could do better on the ball but did well. “Alistair Smith was up against some good players in the centre of the pitch, so that will do his experience no end of good. “I know Jimmy Knowles and Jason Law only got 45 minutes, but that experience will bode well fore future for them.” He added: “Young (Aidan) Stone in goal was very good as well and showed good composure and distribution. “So there were massive positives from the game. “It was a different type of exercise getting the young payers involved. “Everton have some really talented young players and I think it was a brilliant test not only for our young players but also our senior pros. So it was great to see our young players step up.” ---------------------------------------- Teenage winger 'a little gem' in the eyes of Mansfield Town boss John Dempster chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Friday 30 August 2019 As academy manager Dempster has seen the 18-year-old mature as a player and gave him a first team debut late in Tuesday night's Leasings.com Trophy game with Everton U21s. “He was desperate to get on the pitch,” smiled Dempster. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/teenage-winger-a-little-gem-in-the-eyes-of-mansfield-town-boss-john-dempster-1-9965398 “ You could see when he was warming up - I don't think he sat down for very long during the 90 minutes. “He is a player who loves playing football and he's got loads of development left in him. “He has real potential as he can make and create goals and score them as well. He has real ability. “He is a little gem that will hopefully pop up a bit later on to help this football club.” While Dempster is hoping 'pocket rocket' Omari Sterling-James can bring his magic from the training ground into the first team at last. After two seasons in the wilderness since joining from Solihull Moors, Sterling-James has scored and impressed in two recent cup outings and “I have had a number of discussions with Omari and praised him when he's done well in training. He has been outstanding in training,” said Dempster as he pondered on a starting berth for the player at Exeter. “He pops up very regularly with goals from nothing. He is a bit of a pocket rocket. He gets the ball, he twists and turns, and he's quick. “He is a player with good ability but over the last season or two I think he'd admit himself he's probably got a little bit lost in the system. “Like all the players when I sat down with them at the end of last season, I said the boys that perform and give it their all will get an opportunity and Omari has certainly done that over the period I've been in charge. “He is reaping the benefits at the minute and it's great to see it on the pitch.” ------------------- Mansfield Town boss John Demspter shocked by the demise of Bury: “It's something that shouldn't happen with the money in the game" chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Mansfield Town boss John Dempster said the demise of Bury was 'awful' and 'shocking' and should not happen with all the money in modern day football. After falling into a financial mire, Bury were dramatically expelled from the Football League on Tuesday night and dempster said: “It was awful. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-john-demspter-shocked-by-the-demise-of-bury-it-s-something-that-shouldn-t-happen-with-the-money-in-the-game-1-9965349 “I was listening to talkSPORT and there was a poor gentleman talking about he'd recently lost his dad and now he's lost his football club and you think that's the kind of effect it has on the local people to that football club. “I have competed against them over the years as a player and I have watched our first team compete against them over the last four years. “They have always been an old school, good League Two, sometimes League One, football club in the time I've known them. “So to see their demise is shocking really. “It's something that shouldn't happen with the money in the game. “I am sorry for the people at that club, the players, but in particular the supporters.” ------------------- Mansfield Town still finding that sharpness ahead of Exeter City visit, says Ryan Sweeney chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 29 August 2019 Defender Ryan Sweeney believes Mansfield Town are very close to clicking into top gear after a quiet start to the new season. Stags head for table-topping Exeter City tomorrow having drawing three and winning one of their first five games. “It's still really early days and we're trying to find that sharpness and find our feet,” said the big centre half. “Hopefully on Saturday we can produce another good away performance and build on the Carlisle one. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-still-finding-that-sharpness-ahead-of-exeter-city-visit-says-ryan-sweeney-1-9965253 “It's not doom and gloom - we're five games in and we have played some good stuff in parts of games. “Last season we drew seven or eight of the first 10 or 11 games, only winning two or three, but then we beat Northampton 4-0 and that was where it sort of clicked into place for us. “I am sure it will happen again this season. Not much has changed. “We still have the same squad of players with a few very good additions. Get back-to-back wins and I am sure we can kick on. “There have been patches in games where we've played well. It's just about putting that into a 90-minute performance.” Stags won 2-0 at Carlisle United in their last away game and Sweeney said: “At Carlisle it was a bit of different performance where we were dogged in our play and very clinical at the other end. “If we can put in a 90-minute performance I am sure we'll be a problem for anyone in his league and end up where we want to be at the end of the season. “I don't actually think we've played too bad. It's just small things. “Against Orient we were comfortable for perhaps an hour of the game, then we just didn't defend the box well enough in certain situations. “If you want to be successful in this league you've got to do the basics right. You have to defend your box, defend as a unit and defend from the front. “Once we get that right everyone has seen what we've got at the other end of the pitch. We will score goals.” Sweeney and his team mates are bracing themselves for the long drive down to Devon, following away games at Carlisle and Newport. “Exeter is always a tough place to go,” he said. “Last season they were very good at our place and beat us and then we went there at the back end of the season and put on one of our best performances of the season. “They've started the season well and we'll have to bring our 'A game' if we want to take three points.” Stags will stay overnight in a hotel on Friday night to help prepare. “The schedule has probably chucked up the longest trip so the season early doors,” he smiled. “It's just about grinding them out with the travel. We've got all the right things in place so we are fresh for the game on Saturday and we're looking forward to it.” ------------------- |
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