Archived News from December 2003
|
PREVIEWS AND TEAM NEWS
|
 |
|
Ananova:
Preview: Mansfield v Wycombe Mansfield manager Keith Curle has a full-strength squad for the FA Cup second-round replay against Wycombe. The Stags are unaffected by injuries, suspensions or cup-tied players and face the Division Two strugglers eager to improve on the 1-1 stalemate at Causeway. Wycombe boss Tony Adams will have to do without loan duo Luke Moore and Steven Taylor, who have been refused permission to play by Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively. That means Scott Marshall is likely to come in at the back, with either Gavin Holligan or Craig Faulconbridge set to start up front. Adams has no fresh injury or suspension worries, and the winner of the Field Mill tie will face a home game against Burnley in the third round. --------- Evening Post: CURLE KEEN TO GET ONE OVER ADAMS Keith Curle is confident his side can bounce back from the weekend's defeat to keep their FA Cup dream alive this evening against Wycombe. The Mansfield boss comes up against his old rival Tony Adams in the second round replay and believes he can finally put one over the former Arsenal and England defender. Curle was defeated by Adams in two FA Cup semi-finals and their first bout as managers resulted in a fascinating 1-1 draw at the Causeway Stadium ten days ago in front of the Sky TV cameras. Now Curle is in a positive mood going into this evening's clash at Field Mill and the prize of a third round clash with First Division Burnley at home on January 3. Curle said: "I feel we can bounce back and get a result against Wycombe, I'm confident of that. "But I think they will do the same as Lincoln and try to spoil the game. "I have a feeling they might play a 4-5-1 formation and get players behind the ball. "If that's the case they will be looking to hit us on the counter-attack so we will have to be alert. "We will have to battle and earn the right to play our football and if we do that, we can get the right result and hopefully look to put a run together, starting with Burnley at home in the next round." Curle now has a fully fit squad with Adam Eaton returning from an eight-month injury lay-off on Saturday. But with Tony Vaughan back from suspension, Curle is likely to put the former Nottingham Forest defender straight back into the side. He will be asked to do a job on Jermaine McSporran, who was a real threat down the right throughout the first clash. But with Mansfield now on home soil against the Division Two basement boys, they may see themselves as favourites to progress into the next round. Curle added: "We have a quality squad and the belief is there. "If we play our game the right way, we can definitely come out on top." Stags (probable): Pilkington, Hassell, Vaughan, Day, Artell, Eaton, Williamson, Curtis, Lawrence, Disley, Mendes, Christie. Subs: J White, Dimech, Corden, Larkin, MacKenzie. |
Latest | December 2003