Archived News from April 2008
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PREVIEWS
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Stockport v Mansfield
bbc.CO.UK Stockport are expected to be without on-loan forward Ryan Lowe after he sustained a shoulder problem. Lowe joins Matty McNeil on the sidelines, the forward still recovering from surgery on his lateral ligament. Mansfield have no new injury or suspension problems for their must-win game at promotion-chasing Stockport. Stags manager Paul Holland is still without long-term absentee Lee Bell, the midfielder set to miss the rest of the season with his knee problem. --------------- Fighting Talk From Stags Skipper http://county-blog.co.uk By James ⋅ April 8, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment Mansfield Town skipper Jake Buxton says the Stags need to start taking games by the scruff of the neck and says Mansfield can stay up if they remain positive and keep picking up points. Mansfield were 2-0 up against Barnet on Saturday but collapsed in the second half, allowing Barnet to come home with a point, and Buxton says the team needs to start playing for 90 minutes rather than 70 or 80. Speaking to This is Mansfield Town, the defender said: “We are doing the hard work by taking the game by the scruff of the neck and scoring to go in front. From that point of view it has been pleasing we are able to create chances and score goals because we are being told to go and express ourselves. “We have tended to try to keep pushing on to try to get a third, which is what we did against Barnet and really we should have got one. “But sometimes we have to consolidate what we have got and maybe go with two banks of four and make it hard for teams to break us down. “We have to play for 90 minutes, not 70 or 80 and the concentration levels have to be spot on.” He went on to speak about the gap between themselves and Notts County, who are in 22nd in the table, and whether he believes the Stags can avoid the drop: “The gap between Manchester United and Chelsea is exactly the same as between us and Notts County, so it shows how open it still is. “We have every reason to be positive. We wanted seven points from the last three games and have only got five but it is still not a bad return.” ----------------- http://county-blog.co.uk Preview: Stockport County v Mansfield By James ⋅ April 8, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment We preview tomorrow's clash at Edgeley Park between Stockport County and Mansfield Town. The Stags arrive at Edgeley Park on the back of a four match unbeaten run. Paul Holland's side are currently in the bottom two, although a decent run of results recently has been the side close in on Notts County above them, and they now firmly believe they can stay up. Things off the field aren't going so well either. Former York City owner John Batchelor is currently trying to buy the troubled Stags, but his time at York, where he once renamed the club York City Soccer Club to attract American interest, coupled with the fact that he plans to rename Mansfield after the fictional football Harchester United, who appeared in Sky's long running TV drama Dream Team hasn't seen him go down well with the locals, who have started a petition to stop Batchelor buying the club. You can help the Stags by signing the petition by clicking here. Quick Mansfield Facts The Stags have the worst home defensive record, conceding 37 goals at Field Mill this season. Top scorer Michael Boulding has scored almost half of Mansfield's goals this season, netting 22 out of a total of 53 goals. The side have kept just seven clean sheets this season, compared to the Hatters 14. Home & Away Form County's Home Form: W9 D5 L6 Mansfield's Away Form: W5 D5 L10 County's Top Scorers Liam Dickinson - 17 Anthony Elding (Now at Leeds) - 15 Adam Proudlock - 9 Mansfield's Top Scorers Michael Boulding - 22 Jefferson Louis - 4 Simon Brown - 4 Manager's Quotes Jim Gannon: [Speaking about the state of the Edgeley Park pitch] “I'm disappointed for the players and the fans because we're trying to play but the pitch is killing us. “They [the injuries picked up on the poor pitch] were innocuous little things but it's because the surface is so uneven because of the damage that's being done from all the training that Sale Sharks have done on the pitch.” Paul Holland: [Speaking after Mansfield's 2-2 with Barnet on Saturday] “After the final whistle I said what needed to be said in the dressing room, and left the lads to think about what I'd told them. But we can't afford any moping about it, nor can we have any sulkers. We also need the fans to remain positive. “I've seen Stockport two-three times over the past month. They're a strong team but we have nothing to fear. We will go there looking to win the game, and I remain confident that we will survive.” Team News Ryan Lowe is set to miss out for County after he had to be replaced just ten minutes into his debut on Saturday, falling awkwardly after a challenge in the box, injuring his shoulder. The Crewe striker is set to miss the next two weeks. Leon McSweeney, Rob Clare and Matt McNeil are all still out. Stag's boss Paul Holland has no fresh injury or suspension concerns, although midfielder Lee Bell's knee injury is set to keep him out for longer than originally thought. |
Latest | April 2008