Archived News from September 2012
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WOKING PREVIEWS
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Cox hints at changes
mansfieldtown.net, 30th August 2012 Manager Paul Cox has hinted that he may make big changes to the side for Saturday's Blue Square Bet Premier clash against Woking. VIDEO INTERVIEW ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-hints-at-changes-343460.aspx?pageView=full#anchored Our boss, speaking at his weekly press conference, also confirmed that the club are still in discussions with Kidderminster Harriers over the potential transfer of Exodus Geohaghon. With the transfer window due to close at 11.00pm tomorrow night, Cox knows he will have to move quickly in order to bring the central defender back to One Call Stadium. Cox said: “It's no secret that we want to bring Exodus Geohaghon back to the club.” “Nothing much has changed over the last few days but from our part we're looking for something to happen before the weekend. “For one of two players to come in, we may also have to move a few out on elsewhere, so things could be busy for us before the deadline shuts tomorrow.” Our manager watched from the stands last night as Andy Todd's reserve succumbed to a narrow defeat against Port Vale in their opening Central League fixture of the new campaign. And the Stags supremo was impressed with what he saw from a number of players. He continued: “There were one or two players who impressed me enough last night to make me consider them for selection on Saturday.” “Adam Murray was one. He is a massive player for us and it was important that he got through the 90 minutes, even though he probably felt a bit rusty and tired afterwards. “We've been missing a bit of leadership in the middle of the park, so Adam does come into my thoughts for the game at the weekend.” Definitely ruled out for the clash with Woking will be duo Andy Owens and Ben Hutchinson, who have groin and Achilles injuries respectively. Ryan Tafazolli is also an injury doubt after he was taken off with a suspected hamstring problem five minutes into the second-half of our defeat by the Valiants yesterday. However, the towering 20-year-old centre-back still played well enough during his minutes on the pitch to impress the boss. Cox continued: “I thought Tafazolli did very well last night. Supporters who were at the game will have seen that he is a good player.” “His distribution was good, he looked confident on the ball, won a lot of headers and did well, but he went off with a tightened hamstring. “He's been to see the physio today, so we'll have to see what he says and then wait for a few days before can find out exactly what the issue is.” Our opponents on Saturday crashed to a heavy home defeat against Braintree Town on Tuesday night, but our boss believes the manner of the Cards' performance wasn't reflected in the final scoreline. “I went to Woking versus Braintree the other day and the game was much closer than the scoreline suggested,” continued the manager. “Woking have lots of power and pace in their side and they have a very experienced manager in Garry Hill. Nobody should turn their nose up or underestimate them at all.” ------------- Mansfield Town on transfer deadline day tomorrow chad.co.uk, Thursday 30 August 2012 MANSFIELD Town are hoping for comings and goings before tomorrow night's August transfer deadline. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/comings-and-goings-expected-at-mansfield-town-on-transfer-deadline-day-tomorrow-1-4881390 After shipping four goals three times and losing three of the first five games of the new season, Stags boss Paul Cox is determined to sort things out with giant defender Exodus Geohaghon top of the shopping list. “It is no secret I've been in negotiations with Kidderminster about big Ex,” he said. “I'd like to feel something could be done before the weekend. But it is not a done deal at the minute. There are still a lot of things that need to be done. “Exodus is one of a number of player we are looking at. “I know what is needed and it may be that one or two need to be moved out to get bodies in. “We have got off to a poor start and something needs to be done about it. It's as simple as that. “My main goal is making us hard to beat again like we were last season.” ----------------- Stags boss Paul Cox calls on fans to help lift his side against Woking chad.co.uk, 31 August 2012 STAGS manager Paul Cox has called on supporters to help drag the side out of this poor start to the new season ahead of two home games in four days, starting with the visit of promoted Woking on Saturday (3pm). http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags-boss-paul-cox-calls-on-fans-to-help-lift-his-side-against-woking-1-4881750 “We will get back on track by sticking together,” he said. “I know we have had some indifferent results. But I want fans to stick behind the players. “Football clubs that are united in going in one direction will succeed. Those where every little mistake is analysed and booed won't get anywhere. “The fans behind the goal last year with the band really galvanised us last season. Our supporters will have a massive say how successful we are this season.” Woking are one place above Mansfield on goal difference after an identical start of two wins and three defeats. “I watched Woking lose 4-1 at home to Braintree but it was never a 4-1,” he said. “They have a lot of pace and power and an experienced manager at this level. No one should turn their nose up at Woking as they are a big club with some very good support.” Stags will be without the suspended Gary Roberts while Andy Owens (groin), Ben Hutchinson (Achille's tendon) and Ryan Tafazolli (hamstring) are all unlikely to figure ------------------ Adam Murray in contention for a Mansfield Town comeback chad.co.uk, Thursday 30 August 2012 ADAM Murray blasted himself into contention for a place in Saturday's side to face Woking after coming through 90 minutes in last night's opening Central League 1-0 reserves defeat by Port Vale at the One Call Stadium. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/adam-murray-in-contention-for-a-mansfield-town-comeback-1-4881409 The influential midfielder, last season' skipper, has been left behind everyone else in pre-season after a summer knee operation but last night caught the eye. “Of course Adam comes into my thoughts now for Saturday though I wouldn't thrown him to the lions,” said boss Paul Cox. “It was a massive plus for us to see Adam play 90 minutes, even though he probably felt a bit rusty. We have missed a bit of leadership in the middle of the park.” Murray's availability would be perfectly timed with Gary Roberts out serving a one-game ban, though Jamie Hand and Godfrey Poku can also fill the gap. On the overall display last night, Cox added: “It was an excellent performance against a strong Port Vale line-up. There were some very good individual performances and one or two really made me think about this Saturday. Stags' reserves dominated the clash and forced plenty of chances, but the only goal came from Gareth Owen from a 12th minute corner for the visitors. New signing, centre half, Ryan Tafazolli, impressed both in the air and with his quality on the ball but had to go off early in the second half with a tight hamstring --------------------------------- Paul Cox calls for united front from Mansfield Town Saturday, September 01, 2012 Nottingham Post SIGNING Exodus Geohaghon on transfer deadline day shows Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox means business when it comes to getting back to the blueprint of last season. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-16803295-detail/story.html After a third defeat in five games at Grimsby on Monday – shipping four goals in a game for the third time – the frustrated boss said change was required. He does not care if Stags win ugly, he just wants three points from games and a side that is solid at the back, hard to break down and a force from set pieces in boxes. And after he made a huge impact on loan at the end of last season, the giant defender with a bullet throw is back. The Stags did not land him in the summer, as he moved to Kidderminster where he was made captain. But Cox has pursued him and Geohaghon declared his desire to come back – and a fee was agreed yesterday afternoon before the paperwork was signed a few hours later. More loan signings are likely in the coming weeks with players leaving, but Cox just wants to see his team return to the way they played last season when Woking visit today. The boss knows the frustrations of fans but with a further home game to follow against Tamworth on Tuesday, he wants everybody to stick together. "It is about staying mentally strong and we have some very good supporters here who get behind us and we need that at this time," said Cox. "It is when you have an indifferent patch that you find out what a football club is all about. "I spoke to Micky Mellon at Fleetwood and they were in the same situation last year where the world was against them (after winning just two of their opening six games). "But he said it galvanised the football club, it made them stronger and we all saw what happened (as they ran away with the title). "When we do go through bad patches we have to stick together and the supporters have to get right behind the players. "I am not just saying that now because we have had some indifferent results. I said it last year too. "Football clubs that are united are going in one direction and will be successful. "Others where people are going in different directions and every mistake is probably booed, don't get anywhere. "It is important the football club sticks together and I hope the boys will get back on track and kick-start our season. "If you analyse last season the main thing is we was a very hard side to beat. "The three games we have lost I do not feel outplayed, or that teams have pulled us apart. We have just conceded sloppy goals and we are not going to give ourselves a base to head in a certain direction if we continue to do that. "Whatever the scenario today, I want to see steps in the right direction from everyone. Let's get this football club back on the right lines and heading in the right direction again." Cox went to watch today's opponents in their 4-1 defeat to Braintree in midweek, but says people should not be fooled by that result. Woking won promotion last season and have won two and lost three so far – the same as Mansfield. And Cox added: "The scoreline did not reflect the game. "They have a lot of power and pace in their side and an experienced manager at non-league level. It is a big club, well supported. It will be a tough test." ---------------------- Burr warns: Exodus goes on our terms Thursday 30th August 2012 http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/khfc/news/9899717.Burr_warns__Exodus_goes_on_our_terms/?ref=rss STEVE Burr has insisted wantaway captain Exodus Geohaghon will only be allowed to join Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Mansfield on Kidderminster Harriers ' terms. The Stags are desperate to bring in the 27-year-old to help end their own poor start to the season. However, with the transfer window closing at 11pm tomorrow, Burr, inset, has vowed only to let the strapping central defender go for the right price. He would also have to find a replacement and can demand a fee for Geohaghon, who only joined Harriers on a one year deal this summer. One possibility might be to agree a swop deal with Mansfield but Burr was tight-lipped on the club's strategy. He and chairman Mark Serrell, who is currently on holiday in Turkey, were trying to thrash out the best possible deal for Harriers. Steve Burr “Ideally it would be best to get it sorted as soon as possible because you don't want something like this dragging on, but Exodus is still our player and he'll only be going if the deal is right.” He said: “The chairman and I are going to do what's best for the club. “We're not going to just let Exodus leave, we have to make sure we look after our own interests. “Ideally it would be best to get it sorted as soon as possible because you don't want something like this dragging on, but Exodus is still our player and he'll only be going if the deal is right.” The defender stunned Harriers when he revealed his desire to re-join the club he ended last season with. Geohaghon was left out of the squad for Saturday's 1-0 loss at Dartford but was on the bench for Monday's home defeat to Forest Green because of an injury to Ryan Austin. The news that Harriers' captain might be moving on only increased the gloom over the club as they suffered their worst start to a season in living memory with five defeats in a row. But Geohaghon insisted his motivation for going was purely financial. He claimed: “Mansfield have offered me a deal which is too good to refuse. “I'm not 22 any more, my career could be ended by an injury at any time and I've got to take the deal that is right for for me. All I know is that the two clubs have spoken and I am sitting here waiting to see what happens. “If it fell through then I would be happy to play for Harriers.” Meanwhile, the club are also hoping to bolster their firepower by bringing in a young striker on loan from a Premer League club before Saturday's trip to Barrow (3pm kick-off) in another bottom of the table clash ----------------- Cards seek away joy Brian Caffarey, 30th August 2012 http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/3555/cards-seek-away-joy/ The Cards continue their testing sequence of away trips to fancied sides with a visit on Saturday to Mansfield Town, who lost in the play-off semi-final to York City last year and have had a disappointing start to this campaign. Woking will be hoping to expunge from their memories a surprising 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Braintree Town on Tuesday night but will have to improve on some sloppy defending in the last couple of games. WOKING The Cards didn't play particularly badly on Tuesday evening, creating a number of decent chances and scoring an excellent goal through Brett Williams, but they were undone by a combination of poor defending, including two botched clearances by Aaron Howe, and some exceptional finishing by the Iron, especially by their impressive new signing from Histon, Dan Holman. Overall, too, Braintree's workrate and covering seemed to give them the edge over a Woking side which looks as if it hasn't quite yet gained the sharpness that is required in this demanding league. Woking fans can be sure that Garry and Steve won't panic but nor will they just sit back and hope that things will get better. Indeed, it would be no surprise to see Garry attempt to strengthen the squad before Saturday's game, especially since it seems doubtful if Gez Sole and Bradley Bubb will have recovered sufficiently from the injuries they've picked up ---------------- Spotlight on Mansfield Town v Woking Friday, August 31, 2012 Nottingham Post Stags (from): Marriott, Dempster, Sutton, Jones, Daniel, Briscoe, Clements, Rhead, Howell, Speight, Beevers, Green, Meikle, Redmond, Wright, Hand, Pilkington, Thompson, Todd, Tolley http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-16797288-detail/story.html Team news: Midfielder Gary Roberts is suspended following his red card against Grimsby on Monday which leaves an opening for Jamie Hand to make his first start. Boss Paul Cox has promised to ring the changes after shipping four goals against the Mariners and there is expected to be changes to the back four. Ben Hutchinson is out with an Achilles problem and Andy Owens is also nursing a groin injury. Midfielder Adam Murray played for the reserves in midweek after a summer ankle operation but is short of match fitness. Woking: Howe, Johnson, Newton , McNerney, Doyle, Cestor, Betsy, Ricketts, Parkinson, Sawyer, Bubb, Pires, McCallum, Williams, Sinclair, Beasant. Team news: Manager Garry Hill could make changes to his defence too after shipping four goals in defeat to Braintree earlier this week. After winning promotion last season, his side have started with two wins and three defeats. On loan Reading striker Brett Williams should start after netting his first goal last time out while midfielder Dean Sinclair is pushing for a start. Danger man: Kevin Betsy. The 34-year-old midfielder has bags of experience in the Football League, especially at Barnsley, Bristol City and Wycombe. He started his career at Woking before moving to Fulham for £80,000 in 1998. In total, he has commanded £430,000 in transfer fees and has already scored once in five games since rejoining the club where it all started this summer ----------------- |
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