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Archived News from November 2006

CHAD LATEST: BROWN COULD START
21st November 2006 21:26


Gunning for goals
CHAD website, 21 November 2006

STRIKER Simon Brown could start on Saturday as Stags set their sights on a return to winning ways at Rochdale (3pm).

Brown has not started a first team game since early September with various injuries and, indeed, has struggled for the best part of a year with a variety of problems.
Mansfield have certainly missed the frontman's pace and skill.
But manager Peter Shirtliff, pictured, is now hoping Brown is nearing full fitness and can have an injury-free spell in the side to renew his lethal partnership with Richie Barker.
He played the last 14 minutes as substitute in Saturday's disappointing 2-0 home defeat by Peterborough United and was expected to start yesterday's reserve match against Notts County.
Shirtliff told Chad: "I think Simon is ready for a start and he will line up in midweek against Notts County. Then I will have a better idea for the weekend."
New signing Asa Charlton was also expected to feature in the reserve game, and Shirtliff was pleased with the left back's contribution on his debut.
"Asa played quite well and made a confident start. You can tell that he's missing a little match fitness, but that will come with games."
On Monday the first team squad took a break from training to enjoy a 'team building' day paintballing in the forest at the Adrenaline Jungle, near Bilsthorpe.
Shirtliff believes it will help to lift the players' spirits ahead of the tough trip to Rochdale. "It's something I organised a while back, and provided the players with a break from their daily routine.
"After Saturday's game they were all disappointed, but the bottom line is that we conceded goals from a corner and a long throw which we spoke about all week, but haven't dealt with on the day.
"It is a problem for us that keeps rearing its ugly head.
"We were poor, though it wasn't down to a lack of effort. Too many of our players had poor performances in terms of what we are used to seeing from them.
"I am hoping this was just a bad day at the office and we can move on. I don't think there was that much between the teams apart from the two goals.
"We didn't create enough and didn't ask enough questions of their defenders. In and around their box our attacks usually fizzled out."
* A SOLITARY goal allowed Stags' ladies reserve side to progress through to the last 16 of the Notts FA Women's County Cup against Linby Colliery Welfare at the weekend.
The Under 15s went goal crazy with a 17-0 thrashing of Ilkeston Town Ladies U15.
The first team return to league action next weekend with a home fixture against current league leaders Clifton Ladies.


 

Latest | November 2006