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Archived News from November 2010

BRISCOE EXTENSION,NAYLOR BACK,SOMNER STAYS AT ALTY
21st November 2010 14:36


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VIDEO: Holdsworth slams indiscipline
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 15 Nov 2010
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~2220579,00.html

Manager David Holdsworth has fired a warning shot to his players that anymore indiscipline on the field will no longer be tolerated.

Steve Foster's dismissal at the New Lawn on Saturday was not only the skipper's second of the season but also the club's fifth all together.

And with sendings off proving so costly in defeats against Crawley, Luton, Newport and Forest Green in recent weeks, the Gaffer says that now is the time to firmly stamp them out.

Speaking at this morning's press meeting: "Prior to the game (at Forest Green Rovers) we spoke about the discipline side. It was pivotal because we had started to play well.

"I saw the coming together and I saw the way the man reacted after the collision. It's (the correct decision) been confirmed by the referee and Forest Green so I've got no excuses.

"It will be dealt with internally. Having seen it myself, there are elements I will have to look at and I will deal with that privately.

"But you can't keep finishing games with 10 men. It is hard enough with 11.

"If any player shows me the type of ill discipline that we've seen then they will be 1) out of the team and 2) probably out of the club."

Saturday's defeat leaves us 10th in the table but still only four points away from the play offs. Holdsworth will be looking to close this gap starting with Saturday's home clash with Hayes & Yeading and stressed that our BSBP position should be no cause for concern.

He added: "We can get them (the players) physically prepared, and this goes for any manager, but when you are up against tough teams, who want to have a go, you then you have to show a mental toughness.

"We now have to roll our sleeves up and work even harder but sometimes you learn even more about your players when you lose.
"We will prepare correctly. We will look at the team at the end of the week because I have to see if they are as hungry as I am to succeed at this football club.

"There are a number of managers having a tough time all around us so it's not all doom and gloom.

"We are in the third week of November and if you had asked me in August, I would have grabbed it (our league position) with both hands."

In latest news from the treatment room, Kyle Nix (ankle ligaments) is expected to be out for three to four weeks whilst Gary Silk (hamstring tear) should be sidelined for a further 10 days. Rob Duffy (groin) and returning loanee Gary Mills (hamstring) are both due to take part in training towards the end of the week.

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Holdsworth pushing for Stags reserves to be re-instated
Evening Post, 18 Nov 2010

MANSFIELD Town hope to re-establish a competitive reserve team next season to
aid their quest for Football League status.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Holdsworth-pushing-Stags-reserves-instated/article-2907379-detail/article.html?

The Stags have not entered a second string since competing in the
Totesport.com Central Division in 2008-2009.

They were also forced to shut down their youth system ahead of the current
campaign - both decisions made to cut costs.

But following the takeover by John Radford, the club have already announced
plans are in the pipeline to re-introduce a youth structure.

And now boss David Holdsworth has revealed he is pushing for a reserve team
as soon as possible.

"If you have a reserve side, you are able to keep players fit and happy
because they are getting regular football," he said.

"Without it, my job becomes very hard in that respect because players always
want to play.

"The other aspect is that you can bring in three or four youngsters playing
for youth teams who improve playing in a reserve side.

"You are able to keep an eye on them within the club, rather than being
forced to ship them out on loan.

"It is certainly something the club must look at if the structure is going to
progress.

"I have discussed it with the chairman and it is certainly something for the
long-term. Unfortunately, we can't do it halfway through a season.

"But getting the reserves and youth set-up right definitely has a positive
knock-on effect."

Having dropped down to tenth in the Blue Square Bet Premier table, Mansfield
are out to get back on track with home victory over Hayes and Yeading this
weekend.

It could see the return of top scorer Paul Connor, who came off the bench at
Forest Green last weekend as he continues his recovery from a hamstring
injury.

Holdsworth said: "Paul was not ready to start at Forest Green because he had
only done three or four hours training in the week.

"There was no way I could risk losing him long-term, but he will now be
stronger for it."

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Briscoe pens fresh contract
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 15 Nov 2010
Louis Briscoe has today signed a new deal keeping him at Field Mill until May 2012.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2220680,00.html?

The pacy wingman is already under contract until the end of this term and has signed a year's extension until the end of next season.

Briscoe became one of David Holdsworth's first signings in January 2009 after a spell under him at previous club Ilkeston. The former Port Vale trainee offers us options on either wing and has already scored three times in 20 appearances this term including a late goal during our 2-0 win at Kettering last week.

Said David Holdsworth: "I have had a number of enquiries over him over the last 12 months from teams in and around us at the top of the league so I wanted to make sure we secured Louis.

"His performances have been consistent and he has chipped in with a couple of goals already so we are delighted to secure his services at the football club."

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Somner extends Alty loan
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 15 Nov 2010
Tough-tackling midfielder Matt Somner has extended his loan at Altrincham until the 1st January 2011.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2212816,00.html?

The 27-year-old joined the Robins on a month's loan which was due to expire on November 13th before an extension was agreed.

The ex-Wales U21 has made 61 starts for us since signing from Notts County two years ago but has found first team opportunities difficult to come by this term.

He is enjoying frequent selection at Moss Lane this season and has played five times for Alty so far.

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Duo return from loan spells
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 15 Nov 2010
Both Tom Naylor and Gary Mills have returned to Field Mill following respective loan spells at Alfreton and Forest Green.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2220648,00.html?

Naylor has spent the last month at the heart of the Blue Square North leaders' defence whilst Mills has just come back from a four week stint at the New Lawn making two appearances in the BSBP for the Rovers.

Manager David Holdsworth has welcomed their return to a depleted Stags side which has battled with injuries and the prospect of handing 19-year-old Naylor a chance to build on the three appearances he has already made for us this season.

He said: "He's (Naylor) had a few good games at Alfreton which I'm pleased with as that was the purpose - for him to gain some match fitness."

Meanwhile, striker Conor Higginson, on loan at Glapwell, bagged a hat-trick in their 4-1 win against Lincoln United on Saturday.

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Briscoe agrees contract extension with Mansfield Town
Evening Post, Mon 15 Nov 2010
MANSFIELD Town winger Louis Briscoe has today signed a new deal keeping him at Field Mill until May 2012.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Briscoe-agrees-contract-extension-Mansfield-Town/article-2896015-detail/article.html?

Already under contract until the end of this term, the 22-year-old has agreed a year's extension.

Briscoe became one of David Holdsworth's first signings in January 2009 after a spell under him at previous club Ilkeston. The former Port Vale trainee offers options on either wing and has already scored three times in 20 appearances this term, including a late goal during our 2-0 win at Kettering last week.

"Louis' performances have been consistent and he has chipped in with a couple of goals already so we are delighted to secure his services," said boss David Holdsworth.

Meanwhile, defender Tom Naylor and midfielder Gary Mills have returned from Alfreton and Forest Green following their recent loan spells.

Matt Somner has extended his loan stay with Altrincham until January 2011.

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Why Brisoce has been handed new deal – Stags boss Holdsworth
Evening Post, 16 Nov 2010
LOUIS Briscoe's contract extension – that will keep him at Mansfield Town until the end of 2011-2012 – is good business for the club as well as player.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Brisoce-handed-new-deal-8211-Stags-boss-Holdsworth/article-2896596-detail/article.html?

That's the view of manager David Holdsworth, who has negotiated fresh terms with the right-winger as a reward for his performances.

Briscoe, still only 22, was one of his manager's first signings for the Stags when he followed his boss from Ilkeston Town in January 2009 and would have been out of contract next summer.

The former Port Vale man has scored three goals in 20 starts this season.

"I have had a number of enquiries for Louis over the past 12 months from teams at the top end of this division," said Holdsworth.

"There have also been managers expressing good opinions on him from higher divisions.

"We wanted to secure him here and ensure we don't have another Jake Speight scenario (who was sold in the summer for a cut-price £25,000 after failing to agree fresh terms).

"I'm delighted he wants to play for me and this club. Louis' performances have been more consistent and he has been chipping in with goals.

"He is still learning, but he is improving. I think the last ten games of last season he was probably our best player and he has taken that into this season and certainly delivered on a more consistent basis."

Holdsworth, meanwhile, has warned his squad that perpetrators of any further breaches of discipline will risk being jettisoned.

Steve Foster was sent off for the second time this season at Forest Green on Saturday, the fifth red card shown to a Mansfield player this season.

He said: "It is the experienced players who have let themselves down and we can't keep finishing games with ten men – it is hard enough with 11.

"If any player from now on shows ill-discipline they will soon find themselves out of the team and probably out of the club."

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Injuries easing for Stags boss Holdsworth
Evening Post, Mon 15 Nov 2010
MANSFIELD Town's injury problems look to be easing slightly, boss David Holdsworth confirmed today.

The Stags' options have been limited for the trips to Kettering and Forest Green by a spate of absentees.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Injuries-easing-Stags-boss-Holdsworth/article-2895707-detail/article.html?

His squad will not be back to full strength for Saturday's visit of Hayes and Yeading to Field Mill.

But several players are making strides on the road to recovery.

Paul Connor (hamstring) could well be back available at the weekend after only being fit to appear as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat at the New Lawn.

Kyle Nix (ankle) will be out for three to four weeks, a slight improvement on his initial diagnosis.

Gary Silk (hamstring) is poised to be back in action within the next ten days.

Luke Medley (knee) is ready to return to training while Rob Duffy (groin) aims to be back by the end of the week, although the Welshman will not be fit enough to start at the weekend.

There is also the welcome news that Rhys Day is back after serving a three-game suspension for his sending off against Crawley Town.

Even so, Mansfield are still set to recall youngster Tom Naylor from his loan at Alfreton Town as cover.

Holdsworth is convinced his players are still right behind him, but has called for them to show they have the appetite for the fight.

"We can get them physically prepared but when you are up against tough teams who want to have a go at you, then mentally you have to show more substance," he said.

"If you don't show mental strength, then it is a sign of weakness, but I don't think any of them have shown a lack of desire.

"They all want to go out there and play for the club and last Tuesday (at Kettering) they showed their togetherness.

"That side of things has never been in question and I'm 100 per cent convinced they still want to play for me.

"We had a very good meeting after the game on Saturday when players spoke and wanted to hold their hands up.

"But they have to go out and show what they are about. We are four points off the play-offs in the third week in November and I would have took that with both hands in August."

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