Archived News from March 2010
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BBC Nottm interview with Brough ---> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8576636.stm ----------------- Silk: Stags will get it right under Holdsworth Evening Post, March 20, 2010 DAVID Holdsworth will get things right at Mansfield Town, defender Gary Silk predicted today. The Stags boss has come under fire from sections of the Stags support for the first time in recent weeks amid a flagging play-off bid. The Stags are now eight points off the Blue Square Premier top five with nine games left to play following Tuesday's home defeat by York. But last season's player of the year has thrown his full support behind his manager to prove any doubters wrong. "We are all behind the gaffer. We all bought into what he wants to achieve and how he wants to do it and that's still the case," said Silk. "The fans get frustrated and that's understandable because we get very frustrated about things ourselves. "But they can be assured that we are all working hard and that we are all united in trying to make it a success here. "I don't think there is anything seriously wrong in the way we are going about things – before the York game we were five games unbeaten, even if we did have a few draws. "But there is nothing major to worry about. We just have to stick at it and I think things will start to go for us and the victories will come." Mansfield have secured just one win from four consecutive home games – and failed to score in three of those. Silk knows the Stags have to get back to hitting the target and winning games if they are to have any hope of sneaking into the top five. He said: "It's important we now bounce back and start scoring a few goals again." -------------- Stags' Brough aiming to fill Foster's shoes Evening Post, March 19, 2010 MANSFIELD Town's Michael Brough is hoping to lead from the front in the absence of skipper Luke Foster at Histon tomorrow. http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Stags-Brough-aiming-Foster-s-shoes/article-1928762-detail/article.html The central defender has performed ably in the middle of the Stags' defence since replacing the injured Luke Jones. Now the former Notts County man will have to cope without the imposing presence of Foster, who is suspended for two matches following his sending off against York on Tuesday. But Brough is determined to rise to the challenge at the Glass World Stadium as Mansfield look to give their flagging play-off hopes a welcome boost. "I don't know what the gaffer is going to do in the absence of Fozzie, but he is going to be a big miss for us," he said. "He has done well since he came in and has led the side well too. We were just getting a partnership going, so it is disappointing he is out now. "But hopefully I can take on the mantle of leading the defence. I have enjoyed playing the last four games with Fozzie and maybe now I can take on his leadership role. "This could be an opportunity for Scott Garner to come back in. He has not played for a few weeks, so I'm sure he will relish that." Mansfield's players were seen arguing in the first half of Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to York. But Brough believes that can be seen as a positive – because it shows the passion and commitment that exists in the Stags squad. He said: "I was involved in one of the disagreements myself with Challs (Jon Challinor) and I know that it is only because we desperately want to win. "We exchanged words, but once we got in at half-time, we kissed and made up and got on with it. "We are all in it together and things like that are only in the heat of the moment. "All the players were gutted and very down on Tuesday night, but we talked about it on Wednesday and the smiles are back on faces today. "We are fresh and ready to go again at Histon this weekend." ------------ 'We will fight to the end', Holdsworth CHAD.co.uk, 19 March 2010, By Stephen Thirkill STAGS boss David Holdsworth says his side have not yet given up hope of forcing their way into the end-of-season play-offs. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/39We-will-fight-to-the.6166353.jp Mansfield Town are currently eight points off the pace after Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat at home to play-off rivals York City. But despite that setback, the Field Mill gaffer says Stags must keep up the pressure on in case their rivals drop points in their remaining games. "It was very disappointing to lose to York and we are all gutted about the result,"said Holdsworth. "We now need other teams to slip up, but we have got good team spirit in the camp and the players give everything for the club. "We must continue to put the pressure on and get as many points as we can." Stags travel to Cambridgeshire tomorrow to face Histon, knowing they must come away with all three points to keep up their slim promotion dreams. Said Holdsworth: "They are a team with capable players and it will not be easy going there. "Histon will give us a fight and it is important my players show a response following Tuesday night." Influential defender Luke Foster will miss the game following his red-card against York, while Jake Speight is likely to feature on the bench following his return from injury. ---------------- Returning Speight looks to repay boss CHAD.co.uk, 19 March 2010, By Stephen Thirkill RETURNING striker Jake Speight says he wants to fire in the goals to repay the faith of boss David Holdsworth. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Returning-Speight-looks-to-repay.6166634.jp The lively frontman came off the bench to play 20 minutes against York on Tuesday as he looks to get back to full fitness following his injury lay-off. Since his absence Stags have missed his pace and power and struggled for goals, particularly at Field Mill. Speight, who has nine goals to his name this season, now hopes to capture his early season form and possibly fire Stags into the play-off spots. "Tuesday night was disappointing for the team, but from a personal point of view I was happy to get back on the pitch." said Speight. "I worked hard when I was out injured so hopefully I am not too far away with my fitness levels. "I can't wait to get playing and get some goals again. I want to start every game, whether I will start against Histon is down to the boss." Boss Holdsworth has regularly spoken of his admiration of Speight, who he says brings a new dimension to the Mansfield attacking options. And that faith is something the former Northwich man, who began the season in a 'super-sub' role, is keen to repay. Brough said: "David Holdsworth has shown faith in me by bringing me to the club and I want to repay that. "We are doing the best we can and the fans need to stay with us. Beating Histon tomorrow will help us on Tuesday night against Altrincham." ------------------------ Brough calls for Stags to battle on CHAD.co.uk, 19 March 2010, By Stephen Thirkill STAGS defender Michael Brough says the club must pick up the pieces from Tuesday night's York defeat and attempt to re-ignite their faltering promotion push. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Brough-calls-for-Stags-to.6166588.jp The Field Mill club have won just three of their last 10 fixtures and have slipped eight points off the play-off pace following the crunch York defeat. But Brough, who has recently been plugging the gap in central defence following injuries and suspensions, says the club should not yet give up hope. "We did not have enough attacking quality against York,"he said. "It was a six-pointer that we desperately wanted to win. "The play-offs are a bit further away, but we are not giving up hope. We will continue to strive for promotion. "It is out of our hands, but there will be slip ups and we have to be in a position to take advantage of those. Stags will hope to get back to winning ways with the tricky trip to Histon, who have failed to hit the heights of last season when they reached the play-offs. But despite that Brough is still expecting a tough task ahead. Said Brough: "They are a powerful side and it will be a tough test for us. "I don't know what the boss has in mind for the back four, but I have been enjoying playing their in recent games. "Luke Foster will be a big loss for us, but hopefully I will be selected for the back four and be able to show some of his leadership skills." --------------------- Stags boss: 'I am committed to Mansfield Town' CHAD.co.uk, 19 March 2010, By Stephen Thirkill DAVID Holdsworth has reconfirmed his committment to Mansfield Town following recent rumours linking him with the vacant manager's role at Macclefield Town. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-boss-39I-am-committed.6166247.jp The Field Mill boss has been linked with the vacant post following the death of Keith Alexander. But the former Sheffield United defender today told the fans he wanted to stay and help guide Stags back into the Football League. "I came here to do a job and I am a loyal person," said Holdsworth. "I have got a good working relationship with the board and chairman here. "I have been here over a year and the club is progressing. I have signed a four-year contract and we have got a way to go yet. "I have not thought about any other job, I want to achieve something here." Holdsworth added the only chats he had had with the club's board about the future were about how to take the club forward next season.. Said Holdsworth: "I have not have discussions with the chairman about going elsewhere. We are both honest people. "We have talked about how we can improve the club and take it forward. I am fully focused on getting Mansfield Town promoted." ---------------- Delighted Holdsworth praises brother Dean following Newport promotion CHAD.co.uk, 19 March 2010, By Stephen Thirkill MANSFIELD boss David Holdsworth spread some brotherly love today to congratulate brother Dean on his side's promotion to the Blue Square Premier. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Delighted-Holdsworth-praises-brother-Dean.6166546.jp The famous footballing brothers are likely to do battle as managers next season when Dean brings his newly-promoted Newport County side to Field Mill. County sealed their promotion with a comfortable win over Havant and Waterlooville in front of a record crowd of more than 4,000. After the promotion, delighted David said: "Dean has had a great year. The chairman and board of Newport really went for it this season. "Yes, Dean had a budget, but money does not guarentee success. When you have great moments in football, just like in life, you have to really enjoy them. "Promotions like this stick long in the memory. I am very pleased for Dean. "It will be a step-up for Newport, but Dean has been in the game long enough to know how to cope with that and plan accordingly." The duo have done battle once before as managers, when Stags defeated Newport 2-0 in a pre-season friendly in Wales this season. ------------------- video preview with Histon manager Alan Lewer ---> http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Histon/Video-Lewer-previews-Mansfield-clash.htm? ------------ Stags boss fumes at 'archaic' loan rules Evening Post, March 19, 2010 DAVID Holdsworth today branded the Football Conference loan rules 'archaic' after preventing the recall of Tom Naylor for Mansfield Town's clash at Histon. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-boss-fumes-archaic-loan-rules/article-1925689-detail/article.html? The Stags boss had hoped to give the promising 18-year-old central defender a chance to impress at the Glass World Stadium in place of suspended skipper Luke Foster. But because Naylor's loan at UniBond Premier side Belper Town is season-long, rather than short term, league rules stipulate he cannot be called back to Field Mill. Already without Luke Jones for another two to three weeks with his ankle injury, the situation has left Holdsworth furious. He is a big admirer of teenager Naylor, handing him his senior debut in a 2-0 win over Altrincham in the final stages of last season and a two-year contract in the summer. Having kept tabs on the Sutton-in-Ashfield-born player during his time at Christchurch Meadow, he believed tomorrow's clash could have been ideal to blood Naylor further at Blue Square Premier level. "The league rules are ridiculous, archaic even, and need looking at, in my opinion," said Holdsworth. "If Tom had been out on two shorter loans instead of one longer one then he would be available. But because it's the other way around he isn't. Where's the sense in that? "We were trying to give the young man a chance to improve and help him in the future by letting him go out on a long term loan. "Then to find out we can't recall him when we were under the impression we could is a nonsense. Mansfield is his parent club. "There is no doubt Tom has progressed fantastically this season and it is a shame he will miss out on the chance." In Naylor's absence, Holdsworth is set to turn to Scott Garner, who has been in and out of the side since Christmas. Striker Jon Shaw is another option as he has played there before, provided he can shake off a leg injury. Jon Challinor had an injection on his knee to play against York and is still struggling. --------------- Stags boss 'not a Macc target' Evening Post, March 18, 2010 MANSFIELD Town chairman Andy Perry today dismissed rumours League Two Macclesfield have made an approach for manager David Holdsworth, insisting: "He is going nowhere." http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-boss-Macc-target/article-1920258-detail/article.html? The Silkmen are on the look-out for a new boss following the death of Keith Alexander earlier this month. They are understood to be keen to make a swift appointment as they look to secure their Football League status for next season. But Perry is adamant the Cheshire club is not raiding Field Mill to fill that vacancy. "We have had no approach from Macclesfield about David, either officially or as an informal word between chairman," said Perry. "In fact I will go as far to say that we have had no approaches for David at all since the time he was appointed. "I was with him the other day and we were talking about our progression for next season, as chairmen and managers do. "I think this is more fans' talk, but I can assure them there is nothing in it." Perry is pleased with the way the relationship between Holdsworth and the board is working out. Perry said: "The working relationship is right, I think. "We are all pushing in the same direction and want to move the club forward. "But at the same time there is still a gap there that we can be strong enough as a board to say 'yes' or 'no' in certain situations to requests. That is the way it should be." Skipper Luke Foster has been banned for two games for his sending off against York City on Tuesday. The central defender, who was shown two yellow cards, will miss Saturday's trip to Histon and Tuesday night's home clash with Altrincham. With Luke Jones still out injured, that could mean Scott Garner is recalled alongside Michael Brough at the Glassworld Stadium. -------------------- Foster banned for two games Evening Post, 17 Mar 2010 MANSFIELD Town have confirmed Luke Foster has been handed a two-game ban for his sending off against York City last night. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/footb ... ticle.html The Stags' skipper was given his marching orders for two yellow card offences in the second half. Foster's ban will take effect immediately, making him unavailable for Saturday's trip to Histon and Tuesday night's home clash with Altrincham. With Luke Jones still out injured, Scott Garner stands by to come in alongside Michael Brough as his replacement. --------------------- |
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