Archived News from August 2022
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CLOUGH AND GORDON PREVIEW DERBY GAME
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Boss to name strongest possible side in Rams cup clash
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 8th August 2022 Manager Nigel Clough says he will be putting his strongest possible team out tomorrow night but will not be risking any players as his men take on Derby County in the Carabao Cup first round at One Call Stadium. The Stags welcome the Rams to north Nottinghamshire in a cup contest between two sides strongly affiliated with the boss. The gaffer’s squad picked up several knocks in the club’s 1-0 victory over Tranmere on Saturday afternoon, but the manager insists he’ll pick his strongest possible XI. Speaking to the local media at RH Academy in his news conference today, he said: “We’ve got four or five [knocks]. “We used the five substitutes which we will be doing. Oli Hawkins came off with a tight hamstring, Rhys Oates [an] ankle [injury], Hiram Boateng, ankle and hamstring [problems] and one or two others as well. “We’ll just see how they are. “We won’t be risking anybody. read more at https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/boss-to-name-strongest-possible-side-in-rams-cup-clash/ “We’ll put the strongest team we can out because we want to progress in the cup. “In four days’ time we go to Leyton Orient after Derby so we have to have one eye on that as well. “Even if it was a league game you wouldn’t be risking people this early and the thought of them missing three or four weeks, we can’t afford that.” Mansfield have deployed a 3-5-2 formation in the team’s opening two matches of the season, though the boss said: “We’ve been talking about trying a back four again. “There’s a possibility with the players we have available to change it round a bit. “We’ve only been playing it [3-5-2] for four to six weeks so everything is up for grabs. “It will depend on positions, personnel available and things like that.” Saturday’s league win extended Mansfield’s run of just one home league defeat since October 2021. Reflecting on the match, the boss said: “Win, lose or draw they [Stags’ fans] can still go away with a smile on their face. “I hope they’re enjoying the way we’re trying to play. “I think we’ve still got lots to improve on but generally I think it was a good, solid performance. “The crowd that we saw enjoyed it.” Ahead of tomorrow’s cup clash, the Stags’ chief gave his thoughts on Derby’s start to the campaign. “I think it’s been steady,” he said. “It was important for them to win their first game of the season which they did against Oxford. “[There was] Over 31,000 there I believe. “They’ve got a lot of experience out there [in the squad].” Recently relegated from the Championship, Derby is a club the manager spent four-and-a-half years as manager until 2013. “It was unbelievably difficult to start with [in his tenure at the Rams],” he said. “We had 39 pro’s, no youngsters in that. “Eventually, after four years everybody went. “You’ve only got two transfer windows a season. “I think we cut the wage bill by 60%, leaving them with a team that was a kick away from getting back into the Premier League." Nigel lauded the Stags’ ticket pricing for the clash given the current economic climate. “I think it’s great when the clubs get the pricing right, that’s absolutely vital. “When you sell your season tickets it’s brilliant, I think they’re well priced, but when you get your cup games and it’s an additional price on top for supporters, I think football has got to be very careful - this season especially.” Supporters can still purchase tickets for tomorrow evening's encounter by clicking here. ---------------------- Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough puzzled why big cup tie with neighbours Derby County is not being televised chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Monday 8th August 2022 Nigel Clough said he was puzzled why Mansfield Town's mouthwatering home Carabao Cup first round tie against League One neighbours Derby County tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45) was not being shown live on television. Clough intends to name as strong a side as he can against his old club and said: “This will be a good cup game against a local team. “I think they will sell out their allocation and there will be a good crowd and a good atmosphere. “So I am still a little bit puzzled why it's not a TV game. It would have made a good spectacle for the TV, especially when you throw in the local element. read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-puzzled-why-big-cup-tie-with-neighbours-derby-county-is-not-being-televised-3791341 “Derby were on television an awful lot last season, maybe because of Wayne Rooney, I'm not sure, or the position of the club. “So I thought they would put them on for this one - but it wasn't to be.” Clough may need to switch one or two players around from his small squad but said Stags were going into the tie intending to win. “We can't pre plan who may play that much yet though we know we have four or five players who can certainly step straight in, depending on injuries and how we're looking physically after Saturday,” he said. “But we certainly want to put the strongest team out we can in the cup as we did last year against Preston. People like Ollie Clarke and George Lapslie coming in is not necessarily weakening it.” --------------------------- Gordon excited ahead of Cup clash mansfieldtown.net, Monday 8th August 2022 Defender Kellan Gordon is targeting a return to the line up for the first time in almost 10 months as Stags prepare to face his old club Derby County in the Carabao Cup first round tomorrow night. The 24-year-old has not played since the end of October and only made eight appearances last season before a knee injury put him out of action. The former Rams’ player has had several setbacks since but is now aiming for a starting shirt after a long road to recovery. Talking at RH Academy - the club’s training ground - at a news conference on Monday morning, Gordon said: “It’s been a long hard road for me personally to be fair. It’s been tough. I feel like it’s the hardest I’ve ever worked since I’ve been off. “I feel good. It’s probably the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m trying to keep the routine I had when I was off and make sure I do everything I can to stay fit. Hopefully I can put myself back into the team.” https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/gordon-excited-ahead-of-cup-clash/ Kellan has returned to training in tip-top shape and has added almost 10KG in bodyweight over the close season. “I left myself no option,” he said. “I had to put in some serious work and make sure I was in the best physical shape I could be. “I just wanted to make sure I was in the best shape to come back in and I think I’ve done that. “It hit home at Wembley, when I was on the pitch [before the game]. I felt the fire back in me. It gave me a belief being back on the pitch in front of the fans and an extra drive to think that I needed to get back out and play again. “People won’t understand how tough I found it last year. I was in a tough place at times. Friends and family kept me sane. I put the work in off the pitch but when you’re on your own it can be mentally draining in the gym. I had to find it from within “I can see the training pitch from in the gym, watching people train whilst I was stuck in there. Trust me, it’s tough. You want to be out there on the pitch playing football. But I got there.” Gordon could return to the field tomorrow night against the club with whom he started his professional career. Reflecting on his time at the Rams, he said: “[I’ve] Nothing but positive memories. It was the club I signed my first professional contract at. I made a lot of good friends and met a lot of good people.” The former Stoke trainee was excited about the possibility of playing at right wing-back tomorrow night: “I want to get back in the team and get back playing with a consistent run of games. “Right wing-back suits me down to a tee, [with his] pace and athleticism. The defensive duties are still there [to be performed] but I feel I can offer a lot going forward. It does excite me and suit me.” ------------------------- Mansfield Town's Kellan Gordon reveals his personal trauma to get fit again after injury-hit season chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Monday 8th August 2022 Kellan Gordon has revealed his personal trauma over his long battle for fitness last season as he looks forward to getting his Mansfield Town career going again. “It's been a long hard road for me personally,” he said after returning from a knee injury that saw him only play eight times last season and suffer a series of setbacks in his fight to be fit. “People probably won't understand how tough I found it last year. I was in a bad place sometimes,” he said. “But my friends and family kept me sane. It can be mentally draining in that gym on my own all day and every day. But I just had to find it from within. There were good and bad days but I got there in the end. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-towns-kellan-gordon-reveals-his-personal-trauma-to-get-fit-again-after-injury-hit-season-3798670 “I could see the training pitch from the gym. I was watching everyone going out to training and I was just stuck in there.” Gordon said seeing his team mates on the Wembley pitch for the play-off final in May gave him an extra spur. “Being at the games I wanted to be back in and around it and be back on the pitch,” he said. “It hit home at Wembley, when I was on the pitch before the game. I felt the fire back in me. It gave me a belief being back in front of the fans and an extra drive to think that I needed to get back out and play again.” He added: “It's been good but tough - I think it's the hardest I have ever worked since I have been off as I just wanted to put myself in the best possible position when coming back. “I feel like I have done that and I am in the best physical shape I can be “I do feel good, probably the best in a long time. I am keeping the routine I was in while I was off to stay ticking over and make sure I do everything I can to stay fit. “Hopefully I can get myself back in the team and hopefully it will take care of itself when I do play.” Gordon likes the idea of Stags going with wing backs this season. “It does excite me as I think right wing back suits me down to a tee, athleticism-wise and pace-wise,” he said. Obviously the defensive duties are still there but it's a lot more on me attacking and I feel like I can offer a lot more going forward. “I will play wherever the gaffer wants me to play, but I feel like I could do very well there if given the opportunity.” Stags saw off Tranmere Rovers 1-0 on Saturday for their first win and Gordon said: “We are buzzing to finally get the season kicked off and the atmosphere on the training ground is good. “Hopefully that win pushes us on now.” ---------------------- Jake Buxton reveals Nigel Clough support and makes Derby County promise derbytelegraph.co.uk, By Leigh Curtis, 8 AUG 2022 Derby County's interim first-team coach Jake Buxton hopes former club Mansfield Town and his old boss Nigel Clough do well this season - but not tomorrow night. Liam Rosenior's side make the short trip to the One Call Stadium for the Carabao Cup first-round clash with Buxton set to be reunited with a host of familiar faces. Buxton played more than 170 games for the Stags and also played under current Mansfield manager Clough at Derby during a seven-year spell at Pride Park. Buxton went to watch the Stags' play-off semi-final against Northampton last season as they missed out on promotion to League One and they are expected to challenge once again this term. And while he wants Mansfield to do well, there is only one result he is seeking tomorrow night. https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jake-buxton-reveals-nigel-clough-7437821 "Last season I managed to get to watch quite a few games of the Stags," he said. "I got myself to the play-off semis against Northampton to support Nigel and support Mansfield as well. A lot of players I played with like Lucas Akins and Stephen Quinn, Kieran Wallace and Jonjo O'Toole I played with at Burton and they're at Mansfield now. I do wish them well just obviously not tomorrow night." Derby are looking to bounce back from their defeat to Charlton at the weekend which saw the Rams squander a host of chances as they were beaten 1-0 at The Valley. Interim Rams boss Rosenior is expected to make numerous changes for the first-round clash with the likes of Kwaku Oduroh expected to feature. A win for Derby will give them a chance of drawing a Premier League side in the second round with clubs such as Newcastle United set to enter the hat. While Buxton admits the Rams have an eye on the weekend's clash against Barnsley, who were relegated from the Championship along with Derby last season, he says whichever side faces the Stags will embrace Rosenior's approach. "We want to win the game," he said. "The manager has put a squad together which is capable of making changes and freshening things up but also making sure that we follow the style of play which we've tried to embed throughout pre-season. "And you saw it on Saturday when we get that right we create numerous amount of chances and we intend to do that again tomorrow night." --------------------- BUXTON DISCUSSES MANSFIELD, CLOUGH AND COACHING DUTIES AHEAD OF CUP CLASH dcfc.co.uk, Mon 08 Aug Jake Buxton has stepped up to help out with first-team coaching duties at Derby County in recent weeks and he’s enjoyed being able to translate some of his work in the Academy to senior squad. The 37-year-old, who is Derby’s Professional Development Phase Coach and assists Under-21s boss Pat Lyons, has been lending a helping hand to Interim Manager Liam Rosenior as well as coaches Justin Walker and Jason Pearcey in the club’s first team set-up. It’s been an opportunity which the popular former Rams’ defender has thoroughly embraced as he spoke to RamsTV ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup Round One clash against Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium (7:45pm kick-off). Buxton covered a range of topics including his role within the first team set up, his fond memories of his time at Mansfield as a player, his respect for former boss Nigel Clough and discusses how the Rams will approach the cup clash. On His First Team Coaching Role... It’s a great opportunity to step up and help Liam. It’s been amazing throughout pre-season getting to learn the style of play and how Liam wants us to play and help where I can. I have had an input and I’m fully enjoying it. I really enjoyed the first game at home against Oxford United and I forgot that feeling of being at Pride Park in front of a full house and winning the game was a great feeling to have. I have a massive relationship with Darren Wassall and Pat Lyons in terms of the Academy and I believe in what they do. They bring through young talented players and nurture them into first team players. I had a massive buzz last season seeing Eiran Cashin, Liam Thompson, Luke Plange and Malcolm Ebiowei make their first team debuts and that was a great experience for myself as a coach. Equally I am enjoying being around the first team. https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2022/08/buxton-discusses-mansfield-clough-and-coaching-duties-ahead-of-cup-clash On The Squad... A lot of the lads who we have signed, I have played against. It’s about building those relationships and getting that trust. I have been given the role of helping out on set plays so it’s just walking through things, helping people and hopefully we will score a few goals and make sure we keep them out of the back of the net as well. On Coming Up Against Mansfield... I have fond memories of growing up in Sutton-in-Ashfield which is close to Mansfield. I came through as a youth team scholar and played 175 games for them. I had an amazing time and did as well as I could. We got relegated out of the Football League with myself as captain so I wouldn’t say I was a cult hero, but my memories were brilliant. My upbringing of being around Mansfield was tremendous and this game is a special occasion for me. Not only are we playing my hometown club but also Nigel Clough, the Mansfield manager, is a big part of my journey too. On Nigel Clough... I left Mansfield and I got ahead of myself a little bit as a player, expected a move to League One or the Championship and found myself at Burton Albion in non-league after taking some bad advice. I didn’t finish the season as strongly as I should have done as a player and luckily I met Nigel and he taught me a few lessons and told me some home truths and got me back on the straight and narrow. I will be forever grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to come to Derby County with him but the best move I ever made was meeting him at such a young age. Things I wasn’t being told as a young player, he soon ironed those problems out and got me going again. I managed to get to watch a few games there last season and I got myself to the Play-Off Semi Final clash against Northampton Town in May to support Nigel and also Mansfield as well. A lot of players I played with, Lukas Akins, Stephen Quinn, Kieran Wallace and John-Joe O’Toole, they are all there now. I do wish them well - but not on Tuesday night. On Derby’s Approach To The Game... We want to win the game and we’ve got an eye on Barnsley as well at the weekend. The manager has put a squad together which is capable of making changes and freshening things up and make sure that we put in a good account of ourselves and make sure we play in the same style of play which we have tried to embed throughout pre-season. You saw on Saturday at Charlton that when we get that right, we create numerous amounts of chances and we intend to do that again. ----------------------- |
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