Archived News from August 2007
|
DEARDEN 50-50 ON NEW SIGNING BEFORE DEADLINE
|
 |
|
CHAD AUDIO: Stags Dearden hopeful.
audio clip here ----------- Dearden hopeful as deadline approaches CHAD website, 30 August 2007 Billy Dearden today said it was 50-50 whether or not he could add to his squad before Friday's noon transfer window deadline. The Mansfield Town boss welcomed midfielder Lee Bullock on a month's loan from Hartlepool United this morning ahead of Saturday's visit of Stockport County (3pm) when Stags will be trying to register their first win of the season. But hopes of bringing in a second player, whom Dearden is hoping to purchase outright, rest on the clubs agreeing a fee. "I would say it is 50-50 right now but I am very hopeful we can sort something before noon tomorrow," he said. "If not we can always bring in a loan player later. "We have got Lee Bullock in today and he is a good player. He was a very important cog in the wheel in Hartlepool's success last season and could be a very good asset to us." Although Alex John-Baptiste will again miss out as he rests his back strain, Dearden will welcome Dan Martin back into the squad after he recovered from his back problem. "Dan started training yesterday and he should be all right for selection on Saturday," said Dearden. "Simon Brown has also started training with us though he is well behind everyone else in terms of fitness." After three straight defeats, two in the League, Stockport will provide a tough challenge on Saturday. They are unbeaten in the League and only lost in the Carling Cup at Charlton Athletic after a titanic seven-goal shoot-out on Tuesday night. "They did brilliant scoring three goals at Charlton – absolutely magnificent – and will be very disappointed to have lost the game in extra time after leading 3-2," said Dearden. "They may be a bit tired after that extra time, but that will be balanced out by them not having lost a match in the League. So they will be coming here full of confidence. "Stockport had a good spell last year and when we went there they had just had eight or nine clean sheets, though we almost scored the first goal and could have won it. "It would be nice to put a result over them on Saturday. "I want to see a result and a performance. We are capable of getting both and the sooner we get a win the better." He added: "We have to stop giving away early goals. The last four or five goals we have conceded have all been easily preventable and we have to start defending better and be more ruthless in both boxes. "We have just shipped six goals in two League games which is very poor. "The lads are a bit down – most of them are only young. We had a good chat on Monday and then a good session and it is up to me and Paul Holland to pick them up. "We turned in a very good performance at Brentford only two weeks ago and you don't suddenly become poor players within two games." |
Latest | August 2007