Archived News from November 2011
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TELFORD PREVIEWS + GREEN KEEN TO SORT FUTURE
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Video interviews with Paul Cox, Rhys Day and Luke O'Neill ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~2519033,00.html 17 Nov 2011 Paul Cox: "We thought we were in pole position to sign Exodus. But he's gone to Dagenham. We've got other irons in the fire." ------------- Green keen to sort Field Mill future Nottingham Post, Thursday, November 17, 2011 MATT Green is keen to sort out his Mansfield Town future without delay. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Green-keen-sort-Field-future/story-13870883-detail/story.html The Stags' 11-goal top scorer is only tied to Field Mill until the New Year, when a loan spell from Oxford United is due to end. Mansfield boss Paul Cox has expressed an interest in signing the striker for the rest of this season and next. An undisclosed fee has been agreed between the two clubs. But Green admits he still feels a little in limbo with personal terms yet to be agreed. "They have agreed a fee with Oxford, which is great, but nothing has been sorted beyond that," he said. "We had preliminary talks about a deal, but I'm not sure what the situation is now. "I have spoken to the gaffer and I know he wants it sorted. I suppose I just have to be patient and see what happens. "But of course it is more settling as a player if you know where your future lies. "If you know you are going to be at a club for X amount of time, you can concentrate fully on your football." Green, whose impressive goal haul has come in just 18 matches, insists he is keen to remain with Stags. The 24-year-old said: "I want to play at the highest standard I can but, in my experience, if you are happy somewhere then you play your best football and if you play your best football then people will be watching. "If we can agree everything then there's no reason why I can't stay here." ---------------------------------------------- Stags' Green out to capitalise on breather Nottingham Post, Friday, November 18, 2011 IT was a strange sensation for all connected to Mansfield Town last weekend: What do you do on a Saturday with no game? http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13883224-detail/story.html Yet striker Matt Green certainly had no complaints after a hectic flurry of early season fixtures. He took full advantage. ?Leaving behind the rugged world of the Blue Square Bet Premier League, the 24-year-old managed to get away on a short break with his girlfriend. It was, he believes, the ideal way to recharge the batteries ahead of a busy Christmas period. And he feels other players in the squad have used the two-week break from action in the same way, ensuring they are all eager to get back into action at AFC Telford United tomorrow. "I've been training hard and playing a lot of games, so it was lovely to be able to switch off for a couple of days," said Green. "It's been pretty intense, so when you get a break you come back refreshed and a little bit more eager. "I went away with my girlfriend and it was just nice to switch off from football completely. "I don't think I have ever had that situation before. It was almost like in the summer when you can let your hair down just that little bit. But it has been good because the boys have come back looking sharp. "We realise the situation we are in and that we need to start winning games again." Green has been a revelation at Field Mill, scoring 11 goals in 18 league games since joining on loan from Oxford. He has scored in his last three league games against Lincoln, Alfreton and Cambridge. Green said: "That was a massive aim for me, to come in and score as many goals as I can and do well at Mansfield. I couldn't have written the script any better, but the key thing is to not get complacent. "Playing up front is massive for me as well. I feel possibly more confident than ever before. "I'm going out knowing that I'm going to get chances, which is half the battle as a striker." But he hopes he is on course to crack the 20-goal barrier for the first time in his career. "I think I got 10 in 13 games at Oxford at one point and I'm in a similar vein of form to that now," said Green. "The most goals I've got in one season was 17 from the wing when we got promoted. "I'm definitely looking to beat that, especially now I am playing down the middle." Green has come in for criticism from some fans for not being quite as effective as in early season. But the former Cardiff and Torquay man believes you cannot consistently be at your very best. Green said: "As a striker you can't just be a one-man army. There are ten other men on the pitch. If everyone is playing well then it makes your life a lot easier. "It means you are getting the ball more often in the places where you want to get it. "Sometimes if there is not much football being played then you can come in and out of a game. "The fact I have kept chipping in with goals is nice. If you don't play well but still contribute a goal then that's a lot better." Former Stags striker Luke Medley has joined ex-Mansfield boss David Holdsworth at Lincoln ------------------ 'Pick me boss', says Stags defender Day chad.co.uk, Friday 18 November 2011 ALL the talk at Field Mill this week has been about the possible Stags debut of John Thompson at AFC Telford on Saturday - but Rhys Day today firmly staked his own claim for a comeback shirt. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/pick_me_boss_says_stags_defender_day_1_3979613 And the Welsh centre half even suggested he and Thompson could come in as a formidable pair. With Ben Futcher having returned to Bury and Martin Riley out injured, Ritchie Sutton is the only regular centre half left standing apart from Day and Thompson. Day has been plagued with injuries for the best part of eight months while Thompson is recovering from dreadful facial injuries sustained pre-season. However, the pair did well alongside each other in Monday's 2-1 friendly win at Eastwood, and today Day said: “I am back to full fitness. “I have played three games in the last week and done 90 minutes in all of them. So I would like to think I am now fully fit and ready to go. “There is no reason why me and Thommo shouldn't both be picked on Saturday. It is a good partnership. I have been playing alongside him the last couple of weeks and he is a good talker and a good organiser.” Cautious Paul Cox has said he doesn't want to rush either of them back if they are not 100 per cent ready physically and mentally and may even bring a centre half in on loan before Saturday. But Day said: “He doesn't need to sign anyone. “I will go out there and win headers, win challenges and organise. I like to think that's what I can bring to the team. “The last time I was here I played well and I thought I was on top of my game. I would like to get back to that now so I can help give this club what it deserved. “I have had some tough times. For a long time after the operation I didn't feel it was getting any better. But I was told to keep on working hard and now I feel I am back to 100 per cent. If I am thrown in on Saturday I feel I am ready. “I have felt better with every 90 minutes I have done, but I know Saturday would be a big hurdle I need to overcome. But I feel confident I could do 90 minutes at full pace and do a good job. “They were horrendous injuries and I felt for him. But he has grown in confidence every game he has played, especially with his heading with the injury he had. “Me and Thommo could be fighting for the same shirt, being the same type of player. It's the gaffer's choice now.” After a two-week lay-off, Stags know they are more than capable of winning the two away games at struggler Telford and Bath in the next fortnight. “It's massive. If we van pick up six points in the next two games we would be right back in the play-off positions,” he said. “I have been very lucky in my career. I won the LDV Trophy with Blackpool, the Setanta Shield and promotion with Aldershot and the play-offs with Oxford. But if I could help get Mansfield back into the League it would top it all by 100 per cent.” Manager Cox added: “The next two days are very big days for both Thommo and Rhys. “It could be I will have to chuck one of them in on Saturday but only if they are ready or it could have an adverse affect on them. “There is a chance I may be able to bring in a new face before the weekend, maybe even two. I have irons in the fire and one is looking very promising.” Lee Stevenson, back from loan, scored the winner on Monday to push his claims while Lindon Meikle and loanee Keiron Freeman are both back from midweek international duty. Paul Connor's fears he had broken three of his toes have proved to be severe bruising instead and he should be back in contention as will be Jon Worthington after illness. But injured quartet Adam Smith, Joe Kendrick, Martin Riley and Louis Briscoe will all miss out, Briscoe now around 10 days from a return to training -------------------- Stags' Rhys Day in 'pick me' plea Nottingham Post, Friday, November 18, 2011 RHYS Day insists he is fit for a Mansfield Town return and today declared: "The manager doesn't need to sign anyone – I'm his man." http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13883262-detail/story.html Boss Paul Cox is keen to bring in a commanding central defender for tomorrow's trip to AFC Telford United after Ben Futcher has returned to Bury at the end of his loan. His options have been further limited by Tom Naylor's move to Derby and a hamstring injury to Martin Riley. Day has not played a senior game since February after having a knee operation and also suffering calf trouble in making his comeback. But having come through 90 minutes in three friendly games in the last two weeks against Northampton, Forest and Eastwood, the Welshman believes he can be as effective as any new blood. "I'm back to full fitness and I I'm ready to go," said Day. "If the gaffer wants a tough, defender, he doesn't need to sign anyone else – that's me. "Winning tackles and headers, organising and demanding performances from the team is my game. "The fans have not seen the best of me since I came back for a second spell and now I can show what I can do, if the gaffer gives me a chance." Naylor's departure earlier this week has prompted a stinging rebuke from director Steve Hymas on a fans' forum, criticising the youngster's conduct during the transfer. Cox said: "I have no power over other people's opinions and what is written on forums. "It's inappropriate for me to comment. It can sometimes start up a whirlwind." -------------------------- Thompson and Day give Mansfield Town defensive boost Thursday, 17 November 2011 Mansfield Town defenders Rhys Day and John Thompson are both ready to return to action this weekend following lengthy spells on the sidelines. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15739110.stm Big-name summer signing Thompson has not played yet after suffering a facial injury in pre-season and Day has been out since February with a knee injury. But both came through a friendly match this week and are set to feature against AFC Telford on Saturday. Day told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's like the boss having two new signings." "But it's down to him [Paul Cox] to pick who plays, where they play and when they play." Day is in his second spell with the Stags, having re-joined them from Oxford United last season following a loan spell. The 29-year-old is itching to prove he still has plenty to offer after a frustrating eight months. "I feel now that I am ready to play," Day said. "Three weeks ago I might have said I was ready but deep down I knew I wasn't. "The first month or so I was here when I first arrived from Oxford I was fit and I felt on top of my game but then the knee injury kicked in. "I'd say it's a good nine or 10 months since I felt like myself and could could go out and do a job. "Now I can say and I can go out, give my all and not worry about the injury." -------------------- Stevenson backs in Cox's thoughts at Stags Nottingham Post LEE Stevenson's goalscoring power has shot him into manager Paul Cox's thoughts for Mansfield's trip to AFC Telford United today. The talented midfielder has endured a frustrating first few months at Field Mill. He was dropped early on in the season and then broke a bone in his foot. On his return, the 27-year-old was loaned out to rivals Alfreton to get match fit. However, Stevenson is now back at Mansfield and promptly scored the winner in Monday's 2-1 friendly win over former club Eastwood Town. Cox admits there is now a strong temptation to throw Stevenson into the fray at the New Bucks Head. "We have to look at Stevo because with Louis Briscoe (abductor) out of action, we are missing natural goalscorers," said Cox. "We also have to look to improve our ratio of goals from midfield, because we can't just rely on our centre forwards. "We want match-winners on the pitch and he is one. Goals change games." ---------------- Spotlight on AFC Telford v Mansfield Town Nottingham Post, Friday, November 18, 2011 Squad: Young, Salmon, Killock, Preston, Newton, Adams, Davies, Trainer, Pitt, Sharp, Brown, Robinson, Valentine, Farrell, Rooney, Knowles, Whitehead. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13883231-detail/story.html Team news: Telford are set to bring in a new winger and striker ahead of the Stags' visit. Their absentees are Adam Proudlock (broken ankle), Dwayne Samuels (broken toe) and Spencer Weir-Daley (hamstring). Squad: Marriott, Redmond, O'Neill, Sutton, Thompson, Day, Freeman, Bell, Dyer, Todd, Murray, Howell, Bolland, Worthington, Meikle, Moult, Green, Connor. Team news: Mansfield boss Paul Cox is hopeful of bringing in another central defender following Tom Naylor's departure to Derby. If not, John Thompson or Rhys Day are likely to play their first game of the season, alongside Ritchie Sutton, in the absence of Martin Riley (hamstring). Jon Worthington is back in contention after recovering from illness as is Paul Connor (bruised toes), but Joe Kendrick and Adam Smith have been ruled out. One to watch: Chris Sharp. The club's record signing for an undisclosed four-figure fee from the New Saints, the son of Everton legend Graeme has four goals to his credit so far this season, including a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Field Mill in September. Manager: Andy Sinton. The former Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and England midfielder led the Bucks to promotion from the Blue Square Bet North last season, but his team are finding life altogether tougher at the higher level ------------------------- |
Latest | November 2011