Archived News from December 2020
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CLOUGH & PERCH PREVIEW DAGENHAM
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FA Cup is still ‘extremely special,’ says boss
mansfieldtown.net, Friday 27th November 2020 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says he wants his players to be ‘excited’ by Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup match against Dagenham & Redbridge, with a victory potentially setting up a Third Round tie against top flight opposition. The Stags saw off Sky Bet League One Sunderland away from home in Round One, with on-loan midfielder George Lapslie netting the game’s only goal in the second-half. The boss says he is looking for a reaction from Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Harrogate Town, and has also warned his players to guard against complacency this weekend. “We have to pick ourselves up [from Tuesday] and go again in the FA Cup,” he told iFollow Stags. “We want to start well and brightly, which is our intention in all games. “I would hope that we can impose ourselves on Dagenham on Sunday, and with all of the effort and endeavour that’s been going in over recent weeks, we can start creating some chances and scoring some goals. “They [Dagenham & Redbridge] are a good, solid Conference side. They’re athletic, have a bit of pace, and the confidence that they’ll have by beating a League Two side [Grimsby] in the last round, they’ll be looking forward to it on Sunday. Read more at https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/november/nigel-clough-pre-dagred/ “They’ll see it the same as us - an opportunity to get in with the big boys in the hat for the third round. “This game will be just as difficult [as the Sunderland game], but in different ways. Dagenham will give us problems, and if we’re anything below giving our best, we’ll have problems. “Supporters, although they’re not coming in the stadium, it [cup run] can give them a lift and a boost that everyone is looking for. “The biggest thing is winning the game on Sunday, and generating confidence that we can take into the league games. “The competition is still held very dearly to football supporters’ hearts and it’s extremely special still. “The biggest message is about how we went to Sunderland as the underdog and enjoyed it, playing with an element of freedom. “I think Dagenham will do exactly the same, so it’s a role reversal on Sunday. We have to guard against any complacency. I also want the players to be excited about the third round and what prospects that can bring.” The manager reacted to Thursday’s news that Nottinghamshire remains a Tier 3 restricted area under the government’s coronavirus measures, meaning that the Stags will continue to play their home matches behind-closed-doors. “I think it [Tier 3 announcement] was pretty much expected, but we’re still disappointed,” he explained. “I think it’s great for those clubs who can allow some supporters in, but I think it should be uniform all across football. “Until all clubs can allow some spectators in, I think it can give an unfair advantage in some ways. “Everybody wants financial help within football, and getting fans back in will certainly help clubs, but it won’t help them all. I’d like to see a level playing field for all clubs.” The boss also revealed details of a friendly played between the Stags and Burton Albion on Wednesday, a game the amber and blue won 3-1. “We played [against Burton] on Wednesday at St. George’s Park. The subs and the young lads all had a run out - they all did very well and put a lot into the game. “We won 3-1 - results don’t matter in those games, but it is nice to win. Everybody did well. You’re looking for attitude and work rate in those games, and it was there. “Corey O’Keeffe put a free-kick in the top corner in the first-half, Cooky [Andy Cook] then scored, and then Tyrese [Sinclair] scored with another free-kick late on in the game. “In those games, we’re looking for people who want to be in the team.” Ahead of Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup fixture, there was an injury update from Nigel Clough, who said: “We have a couple of knocks from Tuesday and the few games before that, so we’re going to put out the best side that we can on Sunday. “We’ll keep a close eye on them - we’ll monitor them over the weekend, and they might be alright. “But I think having three games in six or seven days might be too much for some of them. It’s not a case of prioritising [fixtures], it’s a case of how it’s fallen. “George Maris is back in training but it’s all about how he feels. If he gets another bang on the rib area, he may be in a lot of pain again, so we’ll just monitor him.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the boss’ interview in full on mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ------------------------- Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough dreams of more FA Cup giant-killing moments as he recalls the day non-league Burton Albion took Manchester United to third round replay chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 27th November 2020 The magic of the FA Cup is still very much alive for Nigel Clough. The Mansfield manager took then League One Sheffield United all the way to the FA Cup semi-final in 2014, when they were beaten 5-3 by Hull City. But his most memorable FA Cup moment came when his non-league Burton Albion side forced star-studded Manchester United to a third round replay in 2006. “It was incredible to take Man United to a replay,” said Clough. “The financial impact it had on Burton was staggering. Read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-manager-nigel-clough-dreams-more-fa-cup-giant-killing-moments-he-recalls-day-non-league-burton-albion-took-manchester-united-third-round-replay-3050194 “I remember being at the Pirelli Stadium when Alex Ferguson brought on Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo as subs after 59 minutes. Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough says new tier restrictions give some League Two sides an unfair advantage “Burton taking United to the replay sums up the competition. We were in the Conference and it typifies what the FA Cup can do. “We’re looking forward to the game. The magic of the FA Cup is still there for me. “I know the big boys don’t always put a full strength team out and that's understandable with the Premier League being so lucrative and taking priority, but it is still extremely special for the fans.” And Clough is hoping Mansfield, who are yet to win at home this season, can see off Dagenham and Redbridge on Sunday and bag themselves a plum third round draw. “It’s a big chance to get to the Third Round,” he added. “You never know, if we do and get a decent tie, then come January we may be able to get fans in. “To get into the third round for our level is one of the most exciting points of the season. “For us it is a great competition to be in, it’s so special.” But Clough knows only too well the danger of Stags underestimating the struggling National League side. They will be really up for it,” added Clough. “They will fancy their chances without a doubt and will want to be in the Third Round draw. “The lower you go down the more it means to them. It would be a great achievement for us and would mean a lot. “The danger is people assume Dagenham will be easy, but that won't be the case. If we get to the Third Round it will be brilliant. “Winning is a good habit. We will be putting our best side out to try and get through.” -------------------- Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough says new tier restrictions give some League Two sides an unfair advantage chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 27th November 2020 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes non-tier three sides in League Two now have an unfair advantage. Stags will have to play Crawley behind closed doors on 5th December after Nottinghamshire was placed under tier 3 restrictions. But Mansfield will face back-to-back away games at Cambridge United and Carlisle United in front of home fans. “It is very unfair,” said Clough. “I’m delighted fans are allowed in some places, but it's unfair on other clubs. Read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-says-new-tier-restrictions-give-some-league-two-sides-unfair-advantage-3049915 “Football should be an even playing field and, until all clubs can have fans back, no-one should be allowed back in. “It gives home fans an advantage in those areas. I’m not sure, at the top level, what it will be like if you let 2,000 in at Arsenal and places like that. “You won't notice a difference, but you will at our level. “Cambridge and Carlisle will have fans allowed in, but we won't be for our home games so it's unfair. “The irony is we pushed the Cambridge game back 24 hours due to the FA Cup game and if we hadn’t done that there wouldn’t be fans in the ground.” ---------------------- Centre-back position is natural to me, says Perch mansfieldtown.net, Friday 27th November 2020 Defender James Perch has revealed that he ‘loves’ playing as a centre-back, a position he readopted following the Stags’ change of management earlier this month. Since the appointment of Nigel Clough, the 35-year-old has been a mainstay in the Mansfield Town back-line, as opposed to the defensive midfield position he had been accustomed to earlier this season. The defender discussed this change of role, which has coincided with a shift to a four-at-the-back formation. “I’ve loved it [at centre-back],” he told iFollow Stags. “I grew up as a centre-half, but when I got to first team level, managers looked at me and thought ‘he’s not that big, he’s slight.’ Read more at https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/november/perch-pre-dag-and-red/ “It’s my number one position because that’s what I came through [as an academy player] as. But people don’t see me as that due to my size and build. “It’s natural to me, but I can play in midfield, right-back or left-back if I have to. My experience helps me to read the game. “As a four [man defence], everyone grows up in a back-four, so going into that is more natural as well.” The former Newcastle United man also discussed manager Nigel Clough, who was appointed to the role earlier this month. “He [Nigel Clough] has been brilliant,” he added. “He comes with a good reputation and he hasn’t disappointed. “He’s done really well and the lads have taken to him exceptionally. The results we’ve had prior to Tuesday have been great. “His training is intense, and is pretty much what I’ve been used to over my career. It’s massive to get someone like Nigel Clough in.” Perch also gave his thoughts on Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup Round Two fixture at home to Dagenham & Redbridge. “If we go into the game expecting anything less [than a battle], we’ll be wrong. I think they will be a decent side. “They’ll be wanting to get that first goal, but we can’t let that happen. I’ve been in positions before playing against higher opposition, and you do lift your game. “But we have to be professional about our group and about ourselves and not let that happen.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch James’ interview in full on mansfieldtown.net/ifollow ------------------------ Mansfield Town's James Perch on why tier 3 fans' ban feels like a 'dagger through the heart' and his memories of famous FA Cup run with Wigan Athletic chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 27th November 2020 Midfielder James Perch admits knowing fans cannot return to watch Mansfield Town any time soon felt like a ‘dagger in the heart.’ Nottinghamshire was placed under tier 3 restrictions on Thursday meaning Stags must continue to play behind closed doors for the foreseeable future. “It's really disappointing not to have fans back,” he said. “It is also disappointing that they can have fans back in down south. “It is dividing the north and south and it is ruining things for the north. Read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-towns-james-perch-why-tier-3-fans-ban-feels-dagger-through-heart-and-his-memories-famous-fa-cup-run-wigan-athletic-3049863 “We were all waiting for this moment and thought people would be allowed back in, it felt like a dagger to the heart. “We want people to come back in. It gives teams in the south an advantage now. “When we play Cambridge they will have fans in the ground and that will have an influence. This will be a factor in games coming up.” It means Mansfield will face Dagenham and Redbridge on Sunday in front of an empty ground as they look to bag a spot in the FA Cup third round. And Perch, who made the FA Cup semi-final with Wigan back in the 2013/14 season, is expecting a tough test against the non-leaguers. “It will be a tough game,” he said. “They will make it a fight for us and be better on the ball. “They will come with a mindset to cause a shock. We can’t underestimate them and if we do that we will be fine. “It would be massive for us to get to the third round. I'm not saying we are going to win it, but we could go on a cup run if we get through. “If you get on a good run you can use it in the league and you never know where it will take us. “We might get Liverpool, we might get Chelsea. We’re doing it for the fans and the community. “We never thought we would do so well at Wigan. We just managed to get good draws and beat good teams on the way. “We played Man City in the quarters and managed to beat them. I scored the winner and it was a great feeling. “We were beating Arsenal 1-0 in the semi and they scored late on before beating us on penalties. “On the day we should have won it and I’d have fancied us of beating Hull in the final. It was a good run, but disappointing as we could have won the cup.” ------------------------ |
Latest | December 2020