Archived News from November 2010
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DAY - SENDING OFF WAS UNFAIR
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Sending off was unfair says Rhys mansfieldtown.net, Mon 01 Nov 2010 Our loanee defender Rhys Day has expressed disappointment at his sending off on Saturday. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/Highlights/0,,10325~2203710,00.html The 28-year-old's dismissal came at a pivotal time in the match early in the second half and with the scores still level at 1-1. A man down, Crawley went on to clinch all three points against our make shift back four. The incident occurred in a crowded penalty area as we lined up to defend a Crawley free kick and midfielder Kyle McFadzean went to ground as he was man-marked by Day. "It wasn't a punch. I did not raise my hands to his face," recalled the Oxford loanee. "Yes there were handbags but it goes on everywhere up and down the country. "They got a free kick in a dangerous place and the big lad who I've been marking (McFadzean) has come up and it's been handbags. He tried pushing me towards the goal and it was literally a push and shove. "I've tried to stay strong and stand my ground but as soon as my hands went up, he fell to the ground like he'd been shot, frankly. "The ref saw it, put two and two together and got 49." The Welshman will now serve a three match ban with immediate effect as the decision is unlikely to appealed due to the event taking place off camera. Day says that he was not only saddened to tarnish his otherwise impressive disciplinary record but that his sending off may have contributed to our defeat. He added: "It's only the second time I've ever been sent off and the first one was overturned so I'm not the type of player who's going to throw punches. For a centre half, I think that (his disciplinary record) is pretty good. "I've been done, and the team have been done, because 11 Vs 11 we were the best side and would've gone on to win the game." "In the first half we had the better of the game and the longer the game went on, chances would have opened up and we would have won it." Finally, the central defender has pleaded with fans not to be despondent at a run of form that has seen us take two points from a possible 18. "There is still a positive vibe around the place. In his (David Holdsworth's) team selection and motivation, he is a positive guy and that is one of the reasons I came to the club. "I do not think that there is a better guy around to bring us success. It takes time for teams to gel and our manager is the right man to get that gel. "He has come in for some criticism which I do not think he deserves. Please have a bit of belief in us and what the manager is trying to do." ---------------------- Mansfield defender felt red card against Crawley was unjust Evening Post MANSFIELD Town defender Rhys Day believes his red card against high-flying Crawley was unjust. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Mansfield-defender-felt-red-card-Crawley-unjust/article-2823084-detail/article.html? The on-loan Oxford defender was dismissed in the 53rd minute on Saturday following an off-the-ball incident with Kyle McFazdean, which left the visiting defender on the floor clutching his stomach. The score was 1-1 but with ten men, the Stags crumbled and lost 4-1 – a sixth Blue Square Premier game without victory. Day came in for criticism afterwards from his manager David Holdsworth, who described it as a 'moment of madness'. But while the 28-year-old was saddened his red card led to Mansfield's downfall, he felt McFazdean made a meal of the incident. Day, who will now serve a three-match ban, said: "It wasn't a punch. I did not raise my hands to his face. "They got a free kick in a dangerous place and the big lad who I've been marking has come up and it's been handbags. He tried pushing me towards the goal and it was literally a push and shove. "I've tried to stay strong and stand my ground but as soon as my hands went up, he fell to the ground like he'd been shot, frankly. The ref saw it, put two and two together and got 49. "It's only the second time I've ever been sent off and the first one was overturned so I'm not the type of player who's going to throw punches. "I've been done and the team have been done, because 11 versus 11 we were the best side and would have gone on to win the game." Day also backed manager Holdsworth, who came in for some abuse from frustrated fans at the final whistle. "There is still a positive vibe around the place," he said. "In his team selection and motivation, he is a positive guy and that is one of the reasons I came to the club. "I do not think there is a better guy around to bring us success." --------------------- video interview with David Holdsworth ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~2203813,00.html VIDEO: Sending off was costly - Holdsworth mansfieldtown.net, Mon 01 Nov 2010 David Holdsworth says that Saturday's sending off of Rhys Day was the crucial turning point in our 4-1 defeat to BSBP leaders Crawley. The scores had been tied at 1-1 before the defender's 52nd minute dismissal handed the visitors a numerical advantage. "Obviously, there were contributions on Saturday which led to a defeat," said Holdsworth. "We were well in the game and it (Day's dismissal) came at the wrong time. "He will learn from it. He's a proud man and I will not hang him out to dry. "At the end of the day, the referee has deemed it to be violent conduct. I'm disappointed because players have got to show discipline but the ref is there to make decisions and they have not gone for us." The Gaffer felt that without the sending off, we were well placed to win the game after dominating the first half. The loss of Day, combined with the withdrawal of Steve Cook through knee injury at the interval, forced Holdsworth to then field a patched up back four against a Crawley attack boasting both of last season's BSBP top scorers Richard Brodie and Matt Tubbs. He added: "I was very pleased at halftime as I thought we showed that we were positive and deserved to be at least level. We looked good going down the flanks and were well in the game. "Anyone in their right mind can see that losing two defenders is to going to cost you - especially against Crawley who can bring on Tubbs and Torres from the bench. "We were not overawed by a team of high fliers and I thought at halftime we were in the ascendency. Chances would have opened up and going forward we looked a huge threat." The weekend's defeat extended our winless run to six games in the league. Far from being concerned, Holdsworth said that we were low on luck and have deserved far more points that we have earned. "Life is not a bed of roses and you have to go through stages. There have been things that have gone against us and on Saturday, 11 Vs 11, we were fine. "No-one could foresee or legislate for the changes I had to make on Saturday. "We are eighth in the league so there is no crisis here. We have had some good performances and have not played badly. "The boys are hurting, need support and there's no-one behind my players more than me." In team news, we are struggling for fitness in the strikers' department with Paul Connors (hamstring) and Luke Medley (knee) struggling with injury and not expected to take part in training until the latter part of this week. Keigan Parker and Rob Duffy are still returning to full fitness but are expected to take part in this weekend's visit of Torquay in the FA Cup. Kevin Sandwith may not be available for selection as he is expecting the birth of his child whilst Steve Cook has returned to Brighton after clashing knees on Saturday but is expected to return north for the visit of the Gulls. ---------------- Stags boss Holdsworth taking a serious approach to FA Cup Evening Post, 3 Nov 2010 DAVID Holdsworth insists the FA Cup remains an important part of Mansfield Town's plans – even if the Blue Square Premier is the priority. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Stags-boss-Holdsworth-Cup/article-2830190-detail/article.html? Last season, the Stags were desperate for a lengthy run and a tie against one of the big boys to help with finance. Those pressures have now been eased by the takeover of John Radford, meaning generating un-budgeted revenue is not such an issue. But Holdsworth still wants to see his side do well against League Two Torquay United on Saturday – and beyond. "This is respite from the league, but I have spoken to Mr Radford and he wants to do as well as we can in every competition, which echoes my thoughts," he said. "I had some fantastic personal achievements in the FA Cup and I want the players to achieve some of that for the club and the fans. "I want the players to go out and enjoy themselves and a good cup run can buoy you on." Rhys Day will be suspended for the match against Torquay at Field Mill, following his red card against Crawley last Saturday. But Simon Grand, who missed out on the 16-man squad after being omitted because Stags can only have five loan signings involved at anyone time, is expected to return. Holdsworth has also been boosted by the news that defender Steve Cook should be fit, after being forced off at half-time against Crawley. But striker Paul Connor is a doubt after being substituted in the first half of that match with a hamstring problem. ------------------ |
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