{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from July 2003

CURLE: FITZ MUST SHOW HIS DESIRE
9th July 2003 14:05


CURLE: FITZ MUST SHOW HIS DESIRE
BY IAN WILKERSON, Evening Post, 09 July 2003

Keith Curle wants on-trial Jamaican international Fitzroy Simpson to show he has the necessary desire to become an integral part of his Mansfield Town line-up.

The 33-year-old, who played with Curle at Manchester City and has just been released by First Division Walsall, has joined the Stags for a week's pre-season training. And Curle said his attitude will have a big bearing on whether he is handed a Field Mill contract.

He said: "Fitzroy has come to the club with the intention of trying to earn a contract and he is in the same position as a lot of players right now.

"He is someone I have got a lot of time for and I know all about his attributes from when I played with him at City.

"He is a tenacious player who will cover every blade of grass on the pitch and gets plenty of tackles in. It is also helpful that he is a left-footed player who can play in a variety of positions.

"But what I need to see from him is the desire to be a part of things here.

"After all, last season, he was still playing in the First Division."

Stags have a behind-closed-doors friendly with Rotherham on Wednesday and another the next day against Sheffield FC and Simpson could feature if his trial period is considered a success.

Curle also said he has the basis of a team he believes can gain promotion at the first attempt and he will not be tinkering with it unnecessarily.

He said: "We shall see how it goes and I would like to have a look at him in a couple of matches as well.

"There is not a lot of money around and we are restricted to the amount of money we can pay on wages.

"I have come to the club because I want to improve it and I want to improve myself.

"I haven't come here simply to pick up a wage and I don't expect any of my players to do that either."

 

Latest | July 2003