Archived News from September 2022
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CLOUGH, LAPSLIE, BARRY-MURPHY REACTION
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Stags' latest on striker search
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 30th August 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has provided an update on Stags’ hunt for a striker before Thursday’s summer transfer window deadline of 11pm. The boss saw his side stage a fightback to overcome Manchester City under-21s 3-2 in the Papa Johns Trophy tonight at One Call Stadium. Despite the experienced Lucas Akins and the youthful James Gale both notching on the night, the gaffer says the club have identified potential forward targets to fill the void left by the injured Rhys Oates. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/stags-latest-on-striker-search/ The manager spoke after an action-packed Papa Johns Trophy thriller against a strong City squad. “I think we looked at the clock on about 14 minutes and it could have been 3-3 with the chances, and I think that continued throughout,” said the boss. “We got away with it in added time when Scott Flinders made a great save with his legs, and they hit the bar as well. It was that sort of game and [the score] could have been anything. “There were that many chances, and I thought we had as many of them throughout the course of the game. “The only disappointing thing was that we conceded from two long balls. “The first was a mix-up between Scott Flinders and Kellan Gordon who both thought the other was going for it and we thought the other was a yard offside over Macca's head [Stephen McLaughlin].” “That's the thing, as much as they passed, passed, passed and got in, they can also hit you with that long ball as well and it was very reminiscent of watching their first team. “It causes you just so many problems. “You can see they play just like the first team, so many things are similar. “I would have liked to have just watched it and not been involved with it as I am sure for those watching it, it must have been a very good game. “I just said to the ref, you must have enjoyed watching it, and he said it was tough physically with the pace of the game.” The gaffer believes this evening’s game came at a perfect time ahead of an away contest at Doncaster Rovers this Saturday as Stags look for their first points of the season on the road. “After Saturday's disappointment, to be back at home makes a huge difference,” he said. “That is 24 consecutive games we've scored in at home, and not just the odd goal here or there. “We've scored a lot here and you can see the confidence just flowing through us. “We now need to fix the away form and the home form takes care of itself. “It's nice to win a game straight after losing and we will go to Doncaster now on Saturday in a better frame of mind than if we'd had a clear week and some people have got minutes in their legs that they needed.” The boss provided the latest update on injuries. “Hiram [Boateng] is not quite right with his hamstring so another four days will benefit him. “John-Joe O’Toole injured his foot on Saturday. He’s a doubt for Doncaster. “Oli Hawkins [has an] illness. It’s a bug so it all depends how he is [before Saturday]. We’ll just have to see how he is in the next few days.” ---------------------- Mansfield Town hoping to secure late striker deal as transfer deadline looms chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 30th August 2022 Mansfield Town hope they can get a striker in before Thursday's 11pm transfer window deadline to cover for Rhys Oates. Stags were given a huge boost over the freak chest muscle injury to last season's top scorer with the news Oates will be back sooner than expected after a successful operation last week. But it would still be December before he returns and Clough is hoping to get something sorted before Saturday's derby game at Doncaster Rovers, where Stags are still looking for their first away point of the campaign. "There's a good chance of one coming in for us,” said Clough. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-hoping-to-secure-late-striker-deal-as-transfer-deadline-looms-3824878 “At the moment, we're just waiting on a few calls coming back to us. “If we are going to do one, it might get done on Wednesday. Ideally, we don't like doing them last minute, although some clubs don't release their players until late on. “Ideally we would just like one to cover for Rhys to get us through. “if we don't get one you've seen James Gale is more than capable of stepping in, but we could probably do with someone a bit more established. “There is no direct Rhys Oates replacement out there with his direct play, so we just need someone who can run around, cause a problem and nick us the odd goal. “I think we have enquired for probably about 30 players in the last few weeks but for whatever reason, they have either gone to a higher level or financially it can't be done, we are still looking. “We are down to about four or five now so we will keep chasing them." "There is not a lot out there. We've enquired about a lad in Scotland. "They have to be better than James Gale, or different. There's no point in taking just anybody, they have to be better than we have, or different. "George Cooper has gone out on loan. But we're going to keep James Gale with us because we're a little bit short. Clough had been offered a striker as a loan swap deal for one of his other players but said: “We've had a think about it and we don't think it'll be of sufficient benefit to us.” “It'll be a quiet transfer deadline day as far as we're concerned. “I don't see anybody leaving. We're very happy with the squad generally. Obviously, Oatesy's injury has been a setback and we don't want to lose anyone else. “We have had a couple of enquiries from elsewhere for our players but we're not interested in letting anyone go." Much-travelled veteran striker Theo Robinson has been training with the club as a favour to the player as Clough did with Dylan McGeouch in pre-season. But if Stags don’t get a striker in by Thursday, the 33-year-old could yet end up getting a short term offer. “It depends on how our search for a striker goes,” said Clough. “Theo's a free agent so if we wanted to we could tie him up after the window anyway. “It's not an urgent one in that regard as he's training with us at the moment as a favour. We'll continue to assess our options.” Clough said of Oates: “He had an operation on Wednesday. Everything went very well. I’m delighted the surgeon helped us out and got him in as early as he did. “It means that his recovery should be a week earlier.We’re looking to get him back on the pitch within three months which is a big boost compared to the four to six we were led to believe originally.” ---------------------------- Time to pick up overdue first away win says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough ahead of trip to in-form Doncaster Rovers chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 30th August 2022 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough said it is time for his side to stop conceding soft goals on the road and pick up their first away win of the season at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday. Stags have been well in, but lost, all three away games so far and Clough said: “It is vital that we start getting something on the road - if it starts with a point or three it doesn't matter. “We are fed up of getting on that bus after losing a game and I am sure our supporters are as well. “More than anything we need to stop conceding the soft goals we have done. That will give us more of a chance away from home. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/time-to-pick-up-overdue-first-away-win-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-ahead-of-trip-to-in-form-doncaster-rovers-3826031 “We have been in both the last two games. At Orient we had the better chances and at Sutton even at 1-1 with 10 minutes to go there's nothing there. “We were a bit unlucky with the goals in that it's come off the back of somebody's head, but you still have to deal with those things. “But we don't seem to get a break. I don't think we've had too many breaks at home but we have earned everything we've had. “We don't seem to get them on the road and we need to work harder and stop conceding these goals.” He continued: “We have gone behind in all three away games, two in the first half. We have to stop that and give ourselves a chance. “You see the difference in the belief when we go behind at home. We're straight back into it and fancy our chances, even after going a goal down. “It is a bit more difficult on the road to do that, so the easiest way is to not concede.” Clough made eight changes to his side for Tuesday's sparkling 3-2 Papa John's Trophy win over Manchester City U21s and said all those players are firmly in his thoughts for the weekend trip. “Everybody who played on Tuesday were already in our heads before because of the nature of the performance last Saturday at Sutton, the strength of the squad that we have and the good players we have,” he said. “They're never out of our minds. It's just trying to get that right balance on a Saturday and pick the right team. “We haven't done that in the few away games we've had. “But over the course of the next 40-odd games everybody will feature.” Stags came from behind to win 3-2 at Doncaster in last season's FA Cup Round Two before a noisy army of around 3,300 Stags fans and the club are hoping to take the same again this weekend for what is seen as a local derby this season. Relegated Rovers have started well at League Two level, sitting third and unbeaten with four wins and two draws from their first six games. On injuries, Clough said: “Hiram Boateng is not quite right with his hamstring so another few days will benefit him. “Oli Hawkins has had a bug but hopefully he will be back with us, but John-Joe O'Toole is a doubt with his injured ankle.” -------------------------- Lapslie praises Gale after first Stags' goal mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 30th August 2022 Match-winner George Lapslie paid tribute to James Gale after the striker scored his first Stags' goal in tonight’s action-packed 3-2 win against Manchester City U21. Gale netted Mansfield's second of the night, in between strikes from Lucas Akins and Lapslie, who bagged the decisive goal. The 20-year-old started in an attacking three, flanked by Jordan Bowery and Lucas Akins. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/august/lapslie-on-city-win/ And speaking to iFollow Stags after the match, Lapslie made a point of singling out Gale for praise. “I thought Galey tonight was unreal and if he keeps playing like that he will play games at this level and even higher,” said Lapslie. “I am buzzing for him as he works so hard on the training ground. “It was a good finish and he probably won't sleep tonight.” For Lapslie’s match-winning strike, he said: “I thought Galey did well to get down there, drove in and committed his man and obviously El has just put it on a plate for me. If I am not there it is my fault. I just tapped it in. “I thought everyone played well tonight. “Even if you look at the starting XI there are a lot of players there who will think they should be starting on Saturday.” Summing the game up, Lapslie said: “It was a great game to watch for the neutral. “The first half was very good and I thought both teams passed the ball really well. “We had a good shape about us, creating chances and there could have been a lot more goals in the first half to be fair. “I thought they were good. Coming on you know they have got the ability to bop it around - that's what are being coached to do similar to their first team. “Physically I don't think it was too demanding as their ‘keeper and centre halves like to stand on it a bit so you get your breaks. “But when they move they move quickly and it was quite hard to keep on top of. “It was a lot different to League Two football which is 100mph the whole game. It was nice to have a little breather every now and again when they sat on it.” Stags will next return to Sky Bet League Two action away at Doncaster as Mansfield seek a first win on the road. “We have got to get points on the road now,” said Lapslie. “It's got to be a mentality thing. “Last time we were at Donny the fans made it a home game for us so that can be the thing to get the monkey off our back for us. “The fans would love that and we'd love that just as much. Everyone is focused on that.” --------------------- Matchwinner George Lapslie believes Mansfield Town’s army of fans can cheer them to first away win on Saturday. chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 30th August 2022 Mansfield Town matchwinner George Lapslie believes the huge army of Stags fans heading for Doncaster Rovers on Saturday can help spur the visitors to their first away spoils of the season. Sub Lapslie struck late tonight to give Stags a 3-2 home win over a superb Manchester City U21s in a Papa John's Trophy thriller. But away from the One Call Stadium, Stags have lost all three away games and Lapslie said: “We have got to get points on the road now. It's got to be a mentality thing. “Last time we were at Donny the fans made it a home game for us so that can be the thing to get the monkey off our back for us. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/matchwinner-george-lapslie-believes-mansfield-towns-army-of-fans-can-cheer-them-to-first-away-win-on-saturday-3824915 “The fans would love that and we'd love that just as much. Everyone is focused on that. “The atmosphere there was unbelievable and I can remember thinking at half-time we were letting the fans down as we were playing nowhere near the level we could play. “But obviously we came out second half and got three goals and got the win. It was class to play in for myself and the team.” On the win over City's youngsters tonight, he said: “It was a great game to watch for the neutral. “The first half was very good and I thought both teams passed the ball really well. “We had a good shape about us, creating chances and there could have been a lot more goals in the first half to be fair. “I thought they were good. Coming on, you know they have got the ability to bop it around - that's what are being coached to do similar to their first team. “Physically I don't think it was too demanding as their keeper and centre halves like to stand on it a bit so you get your breaks. “But when they move they move quickly and it was quite hard to keep on top of. “It was a lot different to League Two football which is 100mph the whole game. It was nice to have a little breather every now and again when they sat on it. “It was good to hit the back of the net tonight, but I am just happy to be playing. “When you're playing, the world is a different place and you're happy and back to enjoying football. I play better when I enjoy it and take a bit of pressure off myself.” He also had high praise for young striker James Gale who netted his first Stags goal against City and had a part to play in Lapslie's winner too. “I thought Galey did well to get down there, drove in and committed his man and obviously El (Elliott Hewitt) has just put it on a plate for me. If I am not there it is my fault. I just tapped it in. “I thought everyone played well tonight. “Even if you look at the starting XI there are a lot of players there who will think they should be starting on Saturday. “I thought Galey tonight was unreal and if he keeps playing like that he will play games at this level and even higher. “I am buzzing for him as he works so hard on the training ground. It was a good finish and he probably won't sleep tonight.” ------------------------- BARRY-MURPHY LOOKING FOR POSITIVE REACTION AFTER MANSFIELD LOSS mancity.com, by @dclayton_MCFC, Tue 30 Aug 2022 EDS head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says his players will benefit hugely from the 3-2 EFL Trophy loss to Mansfield Town. In a game packed with chances, near-misses, great saves and five goals, City’s youngsters gave as good as they got against Nigel Clough’s side. A flurry of late chances meant -it could easily have ended in victory for the youngo Blues, but Barry-Murphy believes experiencing the tough, physical aspect of the game is a crucial part of his team’s progression. “At the moment it feels a bit like heartbreak at the end because we had so many chances to score and you want the players to get what they deserve, but I think it will be a steep learning curve for us and we’ll take a lot from it - obviously, it is my job to help the players to understand exactly what it is they take from the game,” said Barry-Murphy. https://www.mancity.com/news/eds-academy/mansfield-v-city-eds-barry-murphy-reaction-63797485 “I do believe this group in particular has a lot of potential and are very exciting to watch, but they are probably not that well known to people outside of the club, so to see them develop and burst onto the scene is very exciting for all of us, but tonight’s game is something they won’t have experienced before. "As much as you talk to them and prepare them for what they may face, I think the level of physicality within the game will be a shock to the system, and they will need to adjust to that and learn from it - and they will learn from it - and that is what we will take that from this match. “It was a totally different test for them, and the ebb and flow of the game was something different, too. “I think the intensity of the opposition in the second half was key as well - we didn’t quite know how to build up with the extra pressure we were under. “I thought we were a little bit surprised at how aggressive Mansfield were in the second period brought pressure higher up the pitch and I don’t think we found a solution to that - it was a very good learning curve and that’s something we will take away from this game. “You want to help the players as much as you can and play every pass for them, but sometimes you just have to hope that find solutions to the problems in the moment and if they didn’t tonight, they definitely will do next time.” Barry-Murphy’s side were unbeaten going into the clash with Mansfield and the EDS head coach is looking forward to seeing his players react in Saturday’s PL2 clash with West Ham. “At this club, we don’t get many situations where we experience failure very often, so it will be interesting to see how they react at West Ham,” he said. “It’s so important to bounce back quickly, as our first team do whenever they have a setback after a long winning run and that’s so good to see and is inspirational for us all and we aim to follow that mantra on Saturday in terms of how we react, attitude-wise and behaviour-wise and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.” -------------------- |
Latest | September 2022