Archived News from August 2018
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FLITCROFT EXPECTING SCRAMBLE ON DEADLINE DAY
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Stags' boss provides latest transfer updates
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 07 August 2018 Stags' boss David Flitcroft has provided updates on the club's current stance in the transfer market, including the latest on strikers Danny Rose and Lee Angol, along with his opinion on whether Mansfield could have further incomings this week. The manager, speaking in this morning's news conference, took time to speak on his relationship with Rose, which he says the facts prove is a healthy one. "We've reiterated and stated, at the chairman's request, that there is a valuation that as a football club we have put on Danny [Rose]," he said. "If that is met, then we will probably do business. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/august/flitcroft-pre-yeovil/ "Danny has obviously stated that he wants to leave the club and he's given that to the chairman. He's told the chairman that he wants to leave and wants to play at a higher level. "It's probably a waiting game with Danny. We have until Thursday [before the transfer window closes]. "I'm very proud with all the work I have done with some top players in this country. Whether that is Nick Pope, John Stones, Danny Drinkwater, Ricardo Vaz Te, Craig Dawson, Glenn Murray. I'm very proud. "What I've done for Danny and when I look at our history together and the facts behind it, we've done a lot together. He certainly helped me get a Championship job with Barnsley. "I gave Danny his debut, he ended up scoring against Burnley in the cup, and we ended up playing Man City that year. I left there and went to Bury, where I convinced the chairman to pay a substantial fee for Danny. "We had a fantastic time and won promotion together. Danny was outstanding. When I went to League One [with Bury], I brought in Leon Clarke and Tom Pope in, two top-end goalscorers. I then had a sensible conversation with Danny about moving on and how he's not a third-choice striker. "Danny was then sold to Mansfield and he's had a fantastic tenure here. All last season he played in every game [when available]. I'm not too sure where these stories [rumours in the media that the manager and Rose don't get on] are coming from. "That just sets the record straight to my relationship with Danny. Even in Portugal, I was getting up at seven in the morning swimming with him, cycling with him. I'm not doing that for another club. I'm doing that so Danny is fit to play for Mansfield Town. That was the reasoning behind it. "It's part of life, that media speculation. You can't argue with facts that are there." On Saturday it was confirmed that the Stags had accepted a bid from Grimsby Town for striker Lee Angol, but the manager says after having spoke to the 24-year-old, Lee decided that the move 'wasn't right' for him. "I spoke to Lee [Angol] on Sunday" he added. "He didn't feel the move was right for him. Once you accept a bid, the player has to feel right about the move. "Lee's turned the move down which, in any negotiation, the player has the right to do that. If Lee stays it gives me that chance to work with him and improve him, like we're trying to do with all the players. "I look at players like Mal Benning and CJ Hamilton who have absolutely committed to what we are doing. If Lee embraces that and we work on him running in behind and getting in the box more, because he's a talent, then I do believe we'll have a good season with him. "I have to make him become that number nine who absolutely leads the line for Mansfield. We have to give our supporters what they deserve from Lee. "That's probably a longer term project than what I've had with him up to now. We have to get that consistency in him. "If he doesn't end up going, I have to work with Lee on that and he has to work with us, to keep improving him." Stags' boss Flitcroft further explained that he is fully prepared for every scenario before the transfer window draws to a close on Thursday. "You never know what is going to happen," he said. "There will be twists and turns. There are obviously potential outgoings which have been well-documented. "That might allow us to bring in one or two replacements. We just don't know what's going to happen. That's where it's at. "I think it's exciting for the fans. We're not doing our job if we've not got replacements lined up or if we're not solid in our recruitment. "We've been planning over six or seven days now the 'what if?' scenario, because you have to. That's what we're working on." The manager also spoke of the recent acquisition of defender Ryan Sweeney, who the Stags have signed on loan from Stoke City. "He is a young centre-half who in the academy is used to playing wide against a wide striker, or a central striker who takes up wide positions. "He's left-sided, which is vital. He's good in both boxes and he embraces defending. It was sort of a no-brainer. I know Darrell Clarke [manager at Bristol Rovers] really well, and I chatted to Darrell at length on Ryan. "I agonised over to whether to go with Lewis Gibbens. But I think what that would've done when the window shut is, if he'd have had to come in and spend 12 to 14 weeks in the team, it could've had an adverse effect. "The pressure is on us to win a lot of football matches this season, which is good. Gibbens is one of our own and it might be a good idea to take our time with his development. "That's one thing I agonised over, I really did. But I think that we have really sufficient cover, and it also gives me the opportunity at times to put Pearce central and move Hayden [White] back into a wing-back position. "I just felt that I didn't want to go five months with a locked down system. I genuinely felt that we needed cover there and that's the decision." iFollow Stags subscribers can watch this morning's news conference in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. ----------------- Stags’ boss on first away game of new season 4 Hours ago mansfieldtown.net Stags' boss David Flitcroft has looked ahead to his side's clash against Yeovil Town at Huish Park this weekend, in what will be Mansfield's first away fixture of the 2018-19 league campaign. Stags faced Darren Way's side in the final away fixture of last season, winning 3-2 in dramatic fashion, coming back from a losing position on two occasions. But Mansfield boss Flitcroft is expecting a new challenge this time around, and believes his players will have to contend with a different atmopshere in the Glovers' first home fixture of the campaign. "It's the start of the season and it's their first home game," he said. "You have that to contend with, a bit like the atmopshere we had here on Saturday. It was outstanding. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2018/august/flitcroft-pre-yeovil-2/ "The fans turned out, but not just in numbers, in voice. It was a brilliant atmosphere on Saturday. "Yeovil have had a tough start in terms of two of their boys getting sent off, but it was a valiant effort up at Gigg Lane. There's a spirit there. "From last season, they're obviously going to miss Otis. Any team would. Just to reiterate how professional Darren [Way] was and John Fry, they were outstanding. There were other clubs interested but we went quite early with it. "You're going to miss a player like Otis Khan. We've benefited from that. "It [the game] is probably a good one to get out of the way. We've had a pre-season with a lot of home games. We've had no travel. "The first start was a home game on Saturday. Now we get our travelling logistics done and get down to Yeovil and be super professional. Obviously the way we won last year stirs good memories." The Stags' boss added that there are no new injuries to report, aside from forward Nyle Blake, who picked up a knock in Mansfield's under-21 fixture against Carlton Town last Friday. "No [new injuries]. Just Nyle Blake who got a little knock from a game he played on Friday. But the rest of the players have reported really good. "When you're 3-0 up [against Newport], it allows you to bring Tyler Walker off, Otis and Craig Davies. We're monitoring [things like] that all of the time. It's really important that the squad remains fit for purpose. "We've got the travel now, so we'll get down there and get this week sorted." Stags face newly-promoted League One side Accrington Stanley in the first round of the Carabao Cup next Tuesday, and the gaffer has emphasised that he wants to go as far as possible in every competition, so will look to field a strong side. "It's probably a bit early [to say what players will play]," he said. "We're looking at the data from pre-season and we're looking at the lads and we don't know what shift they're going to do. "It's a difficult question to answer until Saturday after the game when we know exactly where the stats are, what the lads have got through and then what we need for the cup games. "It's one of them where you're always trying to add up your figures and you're always trying to get in front of yourself with that. "We've got fantastic back-up, we really have. If [needed] any of those players are ready to come in off the back of a good pre-season. "I want to win every game of football. I believe you've always got a fair and equal chance of winning a game of football. "Any cup we play in, as a manager, you want to go as far as you can. I think it builds a confidence and it builds a self-belief. This group of players know what's required of them and every game will definitely be competitive." iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager's Tuesday morning news conference in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow. ------------------------ Mansfield Town could see late scramble of ins and outs before transfer window closes chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 07 August 2018 Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft believes there could be a late scramble before the transfer deadline window slams shut at 5pm on Thursday. Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Yeovil Town, Stags could have four players going out and two or three coming in if last minute deals get struck. “This is my 12th season in coaching and management and you just never know what’s going to happen,” said Flitcroft. “I am envisaging a bit of a scramble. We will take it as we see it.” Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-could-see-late-scramble-of-ins-and-outs-before-transfer-window-closes-1-9289159 With Peterborough United failing to meet Stags’ asking price for striker Danny Rose, who asked to go on the transfer list last week, Flitcroft is waiting to see if anyone will meet the club’s valuation for his top scorer. Fellow striker Lee Angol failed to agree personal terms with Grimsby Town at the weekend after Mansfield had agreed a fee, though other clubs are still said to be interested. Flitcroft also has midfielders Paul Anderson and Calum Butcher on the transfer list and available with fees required for both. But he is already in talks with strikers and midfielders in case replacements are required. The manager said: “There will be twists and turns. “There are potential outs that have been well documented. They might allow us to bring in one or two replacements if they happen. “It’s exciting for the fans and we are not doing our job if we have not got replacements lined up or not been solid in our recruitment. “We’ve been planning over the last six or seven days now for the ‘what if’ scenario, which you have to do. “I am meeting players about potentially bringing them in.” On other clubs coming in for Anderson and Butcher, he added: “Potentially it could happen, otherwise we can work with them this season.” --------------------- Mansfield Town’s Lee Angol turns down move to Grimsby Town chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 07 August 2018 Lee Angol must buy into boss David Flitcroft’s methods and standards if he stays as a Mansfield Town player after Thursday’s transfer deadline, says the Stags boss. Angol turned down a move to Grimsby Town after failing to agree personal terms at the weekend. “Lee spoke to them on Sunday and decided it wasn’t right for him,” said Flitcroft. “Once you accept a bid the player has to feel right about that move. He’s got a contract here and he didn’t feel it was the right move for him, so he turned it down. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-s-lee-angol-turns-down-move-to-grimsby-town-1-9289310 “In any negotiation the player has got a right to do that. “But if he stays he has to absolutely buy into everything we are doing. “If Lee stays it gives me that chance to work with him and improve him, Like we try to do with all the players. “The others players in the squad are really embracing what we are doing and, if Lee embraces that, we will work on him having positive body language and we’ll work on him running behind and getting in the box as he is a talent.” He added: “I have got to make him become that No.9 that absolutely leads the line for Mansfield Town and give supporters what they deserve from Lee. “That’s probably a long term project than what I have had with him up to now. “If he doesn’t end up going I have to work with Lee on that - and he’s got to work with us to keep improving. We need to find some consistency with him.” ------------------------- No rift between me and Rose says Mansfield Town manager chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft denied suggestions there had been any rift between him and Danny Rose after the club’s top scorer asked for a move last week. Former Stags boss Steve Evans tried to sign Rose for Peterborough United last week but failed to meet Mansfield’s valuation, though the player remains up for grabs. Speculation then emerged that Flitcroft and Rose were not seeing eye to eye, but Flitcroft insisted he had always got on well with Rose and enjoyed working with him. “I am very proud of all the work I’ve done with some top players in this country,” said Flitcroft. “I look at our history together and me and Danny have done a lot. “Certainly he helped me get a Championship job at Barnsley, I gave him his debut, and he scored a goal against Burnley that got us to the next level of the cup when we played Man City that year. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/no-rift-between-me-and-rose-says-mansfield-town-manager-1-9290652 “I left and went to Bury and persuaded the chairman to pay a substantial fee for Danny. We had a fantastic time and won promotion together - Danny was outstanding. “We went to League One and my remit was to stay in the division. So I got Leon Clarke and Tom Pope in - two absolutely top end goalscorers. “I had a sensible conversation with Danny about moving on, saying you are not a third choice striker - that’s not you. I sold him to Mansfield and he’s had a fantastic tenure here. “All last season he played in every game, so I am not too sure where these stories have come from. “If there are things going on behind the scenes then they are unwarranted. But that sets the record straight on my relationship with Danny.” Flitcroft continued: “In Portugal I was getting up at 7am swimming with him then going out in the afternoons cycling with him. “I wasn’t doing that for another club. I was doing it so Danny was fit to play for Mansfield Town. That was the reason behind it. “It’s disappointing but it’s part of life and part of media speculation. You can’t argue with facts in black and white and that’s what I like to deal with. “The rest of the stuff around it is just pontification.” Flitcroft admitted Rose could still go if someone meets the asking price by Thursday tea time’s deadline. He said: “We have stated and reiterated at the chairman’s request that there is a valuation that, as a football club, we have put on Danny. So it’s pretty simple. If that’s met then we can probably do business. “Danny has obviously stated that he wants to leave the club. After the circus of last week he obviously gave the chairman his request and said he wants to go and play at a higher level. I don’t think it was the best of advice he was given from his advisers. “What he has done has certainly alerted other clubs and there have been enquiries. “The chairman has invested heavily in Danny and gave him a lucrative new contract to tie him to the club. “It’s probably a waiting game now. We’ve got until Thursday. I think it will be a late one.” Peterborough boss Evans further muddied the waters this week by stating he felt Stags would not sell Rose to them, whatever the price now. “That’s the chairman’s decision,” said Flitcroft. “He has invested heavily in this project. “Part of the sustainability of the plan going forward is to develop players and sell them when they hit the ceiling. All the top clubs do it. Brentford are probably the best at it and they make phenomenal money.” ----------------------- Mansfield Town glad to have hot prospect Khan in their ranks against his old club chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS David Flitcroft delighted the midfielder will be in amber and blue on Saturday and not green and white. The highly promising Khan signed for an undisclosed fee in the summer and scored twice in a sparkling debut on Saturday. “Yeovil are obviously going to miss Otis, as any team would, and we have benefited from that,” smiled Flitcroft. “I think he lit the stadium up on Saturday and is someone I love working with. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-glad-to-have-hot-prospect-khan-in-their-ranks-against-his-old-club-1-9291170 “At the moment he doesn’t know how good he potentially he can be and if we can get that work right we have one hell of an asset for the football club. “I’d just like to reiterate how professional Darren Way and John Fry were to get the deal done. “They were outstanding how they allowed us to speak to Otis and get it done. There were other clubs interested but we stole a march on it and went quite early.” While Stags were seeing off Newport, Yeovil had two players sent off at Flitcroft’s former club, Bury, though were only pipped 1-0 at the death. “This Saturday will be their first home game of the season so you’ve got that to contend with - a bit like the atmosphere we had here on Saturday, which was incredible,” said Flitcroft. “Our fans were outstanding. They turned out not only in numbers but also in voice and it was a brilliant atmosphere. “Yeovil will try to replicate that at their first home game. “They had a tough start with having two boys sent off. It was a valiant effort at Gigg Lane and they only got done in the last minute, so you can see the spirit Darren has built there. They put up a fantastic fight for the manager.” He added: “It’s probably a good trip to get out of the way. We’ve had a lot of home games pre-season so we’ve had no travel, then a decent start with a home game. “An early trip to Yeovil gets those logistics out of the way on Saturday. “The way we won there last season stirs some good memories. “It’s League Two and every game is a different test. Pre-season they tried to move through the pitch in the games we’ve monitored. We have a bit more work to do on that, then we will concentrate on us.” ------------------------- |
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