Archived News from August 2014
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COX, STUDER, DEAN SMITH REACTION
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Cox pleased after Walsall challenge mansfieldtown.net Boss happy with challenge in 0-0 draw with the Saddlers. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-pleased-after-walsall-challenge-1799983.aspx#0bKJw6gT3lGHdPrb.99 Manager Paul Cox was happy that his players were given a tough challenge in today’s goalless draw with Walsall at One Call Stadium. In our final pre-season outing before next Saturday’s season-opener at Northampton Town, clear-cut chances were few and far between on a mild afternoon in North Nottinghamshire. New signing Simon Heslop impressed in midfield, whilst goalkeeper Sascha Studer produced a string of good saves to register his third clean-sheet in four outings. Speaking shortly after the final whistle, our boss said: “I think all of the pre-season games have been good work-outs. I’ve learned about individuals and I’ve learned about the group as a whole. “Dean [Smith, Walsall manager] has put together a quality side and when they were in possession, they asked questions of our shape and our sharpness. “We kept a clean-sheet, but I was probably a little bit disappointed of us going forward today. “We had to make big decisions. (Liam Hearn) got a start and 45 minutes, but we don’t want to rush him, and we left ‘Rheady’ (Matt Rhead) out, because he’s not going to be available for next Saturday.” “[Overall], I think there were loads positives and a load of things we could improve on. “I sound like a scratched record, but the group are honest, they want to work hard, they’re taking on board what we’re trying to instil in them and it was another good workout for us.” Only a handful of points separated a cluster of teams in Sky Bet League Two in 2013/14, and, looking ahead to the new season, our boss is predicting that the division will be equally as tight this time around. “There’s a lot of clubs that have strengthened [during the summer] and I think the league will be tougher as a whole, but I’m really positive about this group of players,” continued Cox. “They’re working hard and in terms of how long I’ve had one or two of them, the learning-curve [that they’ve shown] has been immense and they’ve grasped the concepts that we’ve been trying to get through.” He added: “I think the boys just want some proper football now and we’re looking forward to August 9th.” A full interview with Paul Cox will be available on Stags Player later this evening. To subscribe, click here. -------------------- Stags hoping to close Taylor deal chad.co.uk Stags manager Paul Cox is hoping he can agree a deal with trialist Rob Taylor to join the club this week after several decent pre-season friendly displays. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-hoping-to-close-taylor-deal-1-6764815?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed He will sit down with the former Port Vale winger and see what can be agreed before the opening game at Northampton next weekend. But it now looks unlikely trialist midfielder Anthony Griffith will sign with finances so tight. “Rob has done well for us and has achieved a promotion out of this league before,” said Cox. “So I would like to sit down and see if we can get something sorted. “He adds another dimension to us. “I have been totally honest with Rob. It’s all about the budget. I hope we can put a package together and hopefully we are close. “But if we can’t get something done I do have other irons in the fire, though they would have to be loans. “But Anthony Griffith is now back training with Port Vale and it probably doesn’t look like I am going to be able to do anything with him. “I do like him - he has experience and know-how we are going to need. But it’s all down to finance.” Stags ended their pre-season with a 0-0 home draw with League one Walsall today and Cox said: “All our pre-season games have been good work-outs. “Little by little I have learned about individuals and the group. We have had questions asked of us as a team, about our fitness and our shape. “Walsall are a quality side and we have kept a clean sheet today. “I was a bit disappointed with us going forward, though. “But I had to make some big decisions. Liam Hearn played the first 45 minutes but I don’t want to rush him. “Also, I left Matt Rhead out as he is suspended at the start of the season. “But there were a lot of positives and lots of things we can improve on. They are an honest group who want to work. “Football management is all about problem solving and since the end of last season I have had a million and one problems to solve. That’s not a bad thing and it’s a good education for me. It keeps me on my toes. “We know it’s going to be a tough season. But I am really positive about this group of players. “I can’t wait for the season to start now. Pre-season can go on a bit too long and the boys just want a proper game now.” Ritchie Sutton came off during the match with a tight groin but it is hoped it’s nothing more serious while Luke Jones will play some part of a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday as Stags bid to start the season with a clean bill of health. ------------------------- Studer excited about new season mansfieldtown.net Swiss custodian ready to experience life in the Football League. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/studer-excited-about-new-season-1800240.aspx#tiMy4cKjtvOSBDMO.99 Goalkeeper Sascha Studer is relishing the prospect of making his professional debut in England in next Saturday’s season-opener at Northampton Town. The 22-year-old, who joined us on a free transfer last week, will be buoying with confidence having registered his third clean-sheet in four pre-season outings in today’s stalemate with Walsall at One Call Stadium. “I don’t know how it is to play a season in England, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Studer. “[The communication with my defenders] works okay. Sometimes we have problems, but there’s still a week left and we’ll work hard [in training].” Studer impressed once again this afternoon as he produced numerous good saves to ensure that our team didn’t suffer defeat in our last match before the new campaign. “The result was good for sure,” continued the young Swiss shot-stopper. “Walsall played a good match so it was hard for us, but a week before the season starts a difficult match is better than an easy one.” “It’s just pre-season so I hope [I can keep registering clean-sheets] in the season too. That’s the important thing.” He added: “I was happy with my clean-sheet today, but I wasn’t happy with my kicks. I want to have a perfect match in every match that I play.” Sascha Studer’s full-post match interview is now available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here. ---------------------- MANSFIELD TOWN REVIEW saddlers.co.uk, by Andrew Poole Saddlers share the spoils in goalless pre-season friendly draw... Read more at http://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/article/mansfield-town-review-2014-1799929.aspx#JiCdvx47HUzyuXEO.99 It was a very similar challenge to the one we expect to face at Port Vale next weekend... Dean Smith THE SADDLERS’ pre-season preparations continued with a goalless draw at Mansfield Town in what was a physical challenge for Dean Smith’s side against our League Two hosts. “It was a great run-out for us,” said Smith. “It was a very similar challenge to the one we expect to face at Port Vale next weekend. “Mansfield were physical and put a lot of balls into our box, but I felt that we dealt with it well. “We created a number of chances, so the fact that we are creating opportunities is pleasing. “All our eyes are on being ready for next weekend and I am pleased with where we’re at right now.” Smith ran the rule over three trialists with Danny Webber, Mathieu Manset and Billy Clifford all figuring. Discussions will continue with them next week, whilst Sam Mantom continues to work hard in training and could have some involvement in Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa. Summer signing, James O’Connor, was withdrawn from the action during the first half as a precaution after feeling his groin. Meanwhile Ben Purkiss and Jordan Cook are sidelined with ankle injuries. ----------------- |
Latest | August 2014