Archived News from November 2014
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SOUTHEND PREVIEWS
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video interview with Micky Moore http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/4259903/date/20141030154800/page/0/name/video--micky-moore-looks-ahead-to-southend-clash video interview with Liam Marsden and Vadaine Oliver http://www.player.mansfieldtown.net/latest-news/article/4259780/date/20141030150600/page/0/name/video--liam-marsden-and-vadaine-oliver-preview-southend-match --------------- Moore talks tactics ahead of Southend match mansfieldtown.net First Team coach discusses benefits of 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 formations. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/moore-talks-tactics-ahead-of-southend-match-2053122.aspx#EmfAkODw5dBOQyr0.99 First Team coach Micky Moore believes our team are capable of lining up in either a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 formation, following our pleasing second half display in the draw at York City last weekend. For several months now, we have lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, but because of an injury to Martin Riley, we were forced into a 4-4-2 formation for the match at Bootham Crescent. After a disappointing first half, our side looked much better in the second period and Dan Carr’s leveller earned us a deserved point, though we dominated the closing stages and had many chances to take all three. “It’s interesting and we’ve had a lot of debates about formations,” said Moore. “You look at Luton, who are sitting top of the league, and they play 3-5-2. You look at Bury, who are up there, and they play 3-5-2. Shrewsbury, who are up there and played Chelsea the other night, also play 3-5-2. “A lot of people are creatures of habit and in this country, we are predominantly a 4-4-2. When people see change, it takes a little bit of time to adapt. “We’ve been playing a 3-5-2, because we feel we can get the best out of our players that we’ve got at the moment [with that formation]. “You’re always going to have an opinion on what is the best system. There are a lot of teams playing 3-5-2 and we’ve been playing this system now for 12 months and it helped us massively last season. “It’s nice to know that when we go back to a 4-4-2 that we’ve got the players to do it. That’s always been the problem previously - we didn’t feel we had the players to go back to a 4-4-2. “But bringing Dan Carr is now [has helped]. We can play Rob Taylor wide-left, Rakish [Bingham] or Dan wide-right, so it’s nice to have that option now, but there are a lot of teams playing 3-5-2.” Reflecting on the draw, and our change in shape, for last Saturday’s game at York City, Moore continued: “In the first half, we had to change formation and do it on the day of the game. It wasn’t planned or anything like that. “Obviously, when you’ve been used to playing a different formation for so long, and then you change it, you are going to get a little bit of an indifferent performance in the first half. “The first half was disappointing, but In the second half, we addressed it and it was a lot better performance. In the end, we were a little bit disappointed to only get a draw.” On our well-documented recent injury troubles, the first team coach said: “It’s easing a little bit. “Obviously, Ritchie Sutton broke his jaw on Saturday, so he’ll be four to six weeks away, which is a massive disappointment, but otherwise there is some light at the end of the tunnel. “Hopefully, over the next seven days, we’ll have at least two or three back. That’s the plan. We’ll see how the next 24 hours go and we might be able to get one or two back, at a push, for Saturday. “I don’t want to say [certain players] will be back and they end up not being back. There is one or two who are making good progress and hopefully we’ll know more after the next training session. “Failing that, we’ll have at least one or two back for the FA Cup [game against Concord Rangers].” Moore continued: “Hopefully, we’ve had all our bad luck now. When you look it, we’ve had four centre-halves, four forwards, midfielders and Kieron Freeman, a wing-back, [all out injured at once]. “It’s one of those situations where we’re getting all our injuries in one spate. Hopefully, when we get them all back, that’ll be it then for the season and the injuries just came all at once.” Micky Moore’s full interview is available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here. ------------------- Light at the end of the tunnel for injury-hit Mansfield ahead of Southend visit? chad.co.uk, 30 October 2014 Mansfield Town are starting to see some light at the end of their injury nightmare tunnel ahead of Saturday’s visit of Southend United. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-for-injury-hit-mansfield-ahead-of-southend-visit-1-6924850?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed Stags have had a full team of first team players on the treatment table over the last couple of weeks, mostly with serious injuries. But first team coach Micky Moore said today there was a chance they would have players back for the Southend game. “The injuries do seems to be easing a little bit,” he said. “Obviously Ritchie Sutton broke his jaw last week which is a massive disappointment. “But there does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel and, hopefully over the next seven days, we could have two or three back. “We will have to see how things go over the next 24 hours and I wouldn’t want to say someone will be back and then they end up not being. “But one or two are making good progress and, if they don’t make Saturday, they may be back for the FA Cup game the week after, “Hopefully we have had all our back luck now. We have four centre halves, four forwards and a wing back missing. “But I hope that’s all our injuries in one spate and once we get them back I hope that will be it for the season.” Stags had to change their usual 3-5-2 formation just before kick-off at York City last weekend after Martin Riley suffered a back spasm. They went 4-4-2, which worked well in the 1-1 draw and is a formation a section of the Stags fans favour. However, until Stags know what personnel they have available, Moore would not be drawn on how they may line up against Southend. “There are a lot of debates about formation,” said Moore. “But stats show that successful teams play 3-5-2. “You look up at the top end of our division and Luton Town play 3-5-2, Bury play 3-5-2 and Shrewsbury play it as well. Bristol City are running way with League One playing 3-5-2. “Even Manchester United play 3-5-2 and Holland didn’t do too badly in the World Cup playing 3-5-2. “We have played it for the last 12 months and it helped us last season massively. But it is nice to know we now have the players to be able to go back to a 4-4-2 as well with Danny Carr and Rakish Bingham able to play on the right and Rob Taylor able to come in on the left.” Five players have a chance of a return on Saturday. Riley is the most likely after his back spasm settled down. Ollie Palmer and Chris Clements got 75 minutes under their belt in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday while Simon Heslop is also making good progress. Striker Matt Rhead is the biggest doubt as he tries to shake off a hamstring injury, rated 50-50 by Moore for Saturday. Stags were the last team in the top five divisions to draw a game this season. But, once they did, they have now gone on a run of four successive stalemates and another draw on Saturday would equal the club record set in the mid-80s. “It will be a difficult game for us,” said Moore. “We had Southend watched and they also play 3-5-2. To be fair to Phil Brown they were in the play-offs last year and are up there again. “But three of our four draws have been away from home and if we can keep picking up points away and win at home, come the end of the season we will be there or thereabouts.” ----------------- Oliver keen to prove a point mansfieldtown.net, 30th October 2014 Striker sets sights on achieving success at One Call Stadium over the coming month. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/oliver-keen-to-prove-a-point-2051417.aspx#B6q97SKHt3Bmv8Dh.99 Striker Vadaine Oliver is excited by the prospect of gaining more first team football, following his emergency loan switch from Sky Bet League One strugglers Crewe Alexandra. The 23-year-old was unveiled as our latest arrival late last Friday afternoon, joining us following a frustrating time at Gresty Road. "The last month or so was hard because I wasn’t getting game-time and I wasn’t being told why,” reflected Oliver. "It’s hard for a player to build confidence and keep momentum going, playing-wise, when you don’t know if you are going to be in the team.” “I needed to get out on loan and here would be a good place to come and get game-time, because they play my kind of football, a little bit more direct, which suits my game.” Oliver joined Crewe for an undisclosed fee in June last year, after scoring on a regular basis for Lincoln City in the Conference Premier. He attracted a number of admirers, but chose Crewe because of their rich history in producing and developing young players. The striker continued: "It’s what caught my eye, but unfortunately the lack of game-time was the reason I had to get a loan move.” Although the loan period is currently only a month, Oliver has not ruled out a longer stay with us, should it be possible: "After the month is done, we’ll talk to Crewe and see what their thoughts are. If everything goes well, who knows, I could be staying longer”. Oliver is also looking to make his home debut a winning one, when we entertain Phil Brown's Southend United this Saturday. "It’s a home game and it will be good to play at the home ground in front of our fans," added the target man. "Attacking-wise, we looked really strong [at York] and defensively we looked strong as we didn’t look like we were going to concede goals, so I think three points are definitely on the cards." Vadaine Oliver's interview from today's press meeting is available on Stags Player now. To subscribe, click here. ------------------ Stags’ style suits my game, says loanee Oliver chad.co.uk Vadaine Oliver feels he will do well on loan at Mansfield Town as he feels the directness of Stags’ game will suit his style. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/stags-style-suits-my-game-says-loanee-oliver-1-6925119 The 23-year-old Crewe striker looks set to make his home debut against Southend tomorrow after setting up Stags’ equaliser in his first game at York last weekend, having only come into the club 24 hours earlier. Oliver had to come off near the end, but is confident this move will suit him and that Stags fans will see the best of him once he is match fit. “I had a bit of cramp and had to come off last weekend,” he said. “I have missed out on games for the last couple of weeks, so my match fitness is a bit low at the minute. But I will get that back in no time.” Oliver was upset to lose his place at League One Crewe without any real explanation for the change. He said: “It was down to tactics. I was playing regularly. But, with not playing, I needed to get out on loan and get real playing time. “Last season was my first at Crewe, but I was a bit injury-hit and didn’t play as much I would have liked to. “I was looking forward to this season and started all right. I was performing well. So it was hard to be left out and not be told why. “It’s hard for a player to keep his confidence and keep momentum going playing-wise.” Once he knew there was a chance of a loan move to Mansfield, Oliver was in no doubt it was the right move for him. “Mansfield play my kind of football - a bit more direct - which suits my game,” he said. “I played against Mansfield for Lincoln home and away so I knew they would be a big, strong team and direct. “I like balls in the air or to my chest so people can run off me. That is why I think I will do well here. “Stoke proved it can be effective even in the Premier League. It may not be pretty to watch. You are not playing like Barcelona. But sometimes it is necessary to get points.” Recalling his career so far, he explained: “I am a Sheffield lad and I was at Wednesday from age nine through to being a pro. But I was hit by injury. It was a bit unfortunate, but that’s football. “I got fit and had a good season at Lincoln. I enjoyed my time in the Conference and I have a lot of fond memories and good friends there. “It has been bitter-sweet moving to Crewe. It was a good move with their history of bringing on young players to bigger and better things. Unfortunately I wasn’t getting enough game time.” Manager Paul Cox was very complimentary about Oliver’s debut last weekend and the striker admitted the loan could go past the first month if it all works out, though he knows Stags have strikers due back from injury. “We will have to see how it goes,” he said. “It is initially a month and we will go from there. If everything goes well, who knows, I could be staying here a bit longer. “I am never one to shrug away from any kind of competition and we will have to see what happens when everyone is back. “We will have to see if Paul Cox still wants me here, if I want to be here and if Crewe want me back. “I created a goal last weekend and I feel I can create more and score some. “I have only played in one game but I though we showed good signs. “The other two lads up front (Daniel Carr and Rakish Bingham) both showed that versatility to be to play up front or wide last weekend. The young boys showed good things. “Attacking-wise we looked really strong and defensively we also looked strong and didn’t look like conceding. So I think three points could be on the cards on Saturday. It will be good to play at our home ground.” ---------------- Marsden: Morale in the camp is good mansfieldtown.net Young right-back believes a good run of form could be on the horizon. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/marsden-morale-in-the-camp-is-good-2052928.aspx#lcuYft1cRsxyZWuf.99 Defender Liam Marsden says that confidence is high in the playing camp ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Southend United. Some players could be back in contention to face the Shrimpers, following a tough few weeks in which several players have missed out through injury. Marsden believes our fans could also play a crucial role in tomorrow’s encounter. “I’m looking forward to [building on our performance at York City] and hopefully getting the three points against Southend,” said the 19-year-old. “We would all love a win and all the fans would as well and they will be behind us on Saturday. After our performance at York and it will be like an extra man. “Hopefully, a good few wins on the bounce and a good run up to Christmas and we’ll be there or thereabouts come the New Year.” Reflecting on last Saturday’s draw at York City, Marsden said: “I thought we were unlucky not to get the three points, but a point away from home is ‘happy days’. “The fans and all the players and the coaching staff thought we could have got the three points.” He added: “The gaffer had his formation and team in his head, but two minutes before we went too warm up it all changed.” “It was tough, but I thought the lads got on with it and I thought we dug deep and played really well. “I thought we bounced back really well from Tranmere and it was good to get a point.” Marsden also touched on the possibility of getting his place back in the side after the unfortunate injury to Kieron Freeman. “Kieron is a great player but after his injury, I’m looking forward to getting a good run in the side and hopefully getting some game time.” “Everyone needs games and there is nothing like match fitness, so I’ve just got to show the gaffer what I can do.” You can hear a full interview with Liam Marsden on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here. ----------------- Match Preview: Phil Brown still has faith in his side ahead of trip to Mansfield Town southendunited.co.uk, Thu 30 Oct 2014 Southend United manager Phil Brown wants his side to put things right when he takes his troops to Mansfield Town on Saturday in Sky Bet League Two. Read more at http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/301014-brown-on-mansfield-2050802.aspx#63YPJMBMh7TvLm5H.99 Brown’s men have failed to win in their last five outings in the division but the boss is backing his players to get back to winning ways against the Stags on Saturday afternoon. “We have done our homework on Mansfield, we know their strengths and weaknesses. We have to be aware of our opposition, whoever we play against and it’s important we concentrate on what we’re good at.” Brown still has faith in his side at both ends of the pitch and feels it won’t be long until Blues go on another run soon enough, hopefully against the Stags at One Call Stadium. “We have to believe in ourselves. We can cause opponents problems. We’re not too far away from the top seven. I’m aware of the league table and what’s right and what’s wrong. “I still believe in the team and I feel we are just one win away from going on a good run. We’ll keep on working on the training ground. We’re creating the chances in games, which is a positive. “If we keep on working hard and creating, then the likes of Shaq Coulthirst, Barry Corr, Lee Barnard, Myles Weston and the rest of the team will put the ball in the back of the net.” Brown gave a treatment update ahead of Blues trip north and says the squad is looking good, with just Mads Ibenfeldt and Ben Coker missing out on the trip to Nottinghamshire. “Ben Coker’s back on the training pitch and he’s looking to break Michael Timlin’s record for his comeback. Mads Ibenfeldt is still out with his foot injury but the rest of the boys are still chomping at the bit.” ------------------- News: Blues complete double deal in time for Mansfield Town test southendunited.co.uk, Fri 31 Oct 2014 Defender returns to Roots Hall on loan from Yeovil Town, whilst striker arrives from West Ham United Southend United are delighted to announce the signings of defender Jakub Sokolik and striker Elliot Lee on loan from Yeovil Town and West Ham United, respectively. Read more at http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/311014-sokolik-returns-2052223.aspx#DUr1Z84Zdjm1GFCH.99 Sokolik is a familiar face to Blues fans, and joins Southend on an initial month-long loan deal from Sky Bet League One side Yeovil. Lee - son of former West Ham and Newcastle United player Rob Lee - has agreed a three-month stay at Roots Hall. Sokolik impressed everyone during a ten-game loan spell at the end of last season, when he joined on loan from Liverpool, and the 21-year-old Czech centre half formed a great pairing with John Egan. On his departure from Liverpool in the summer, Jakub opted for a move to Yeovil on a free transfer and has played 11 times for the Glovers this season. On his return to Blues, Jakub said: “I really enjoyed my time at Southend last season and when I had the chance to come back, it was something I was interested in. “Hopefully, during this month, I can play plenty of games and have an effect on the team as we look to push up the table.” Lee came through the West Ham Academy and has so far made one competitive appearance for Sam Allardyce's side. The forward enjoyed a loan spell with Colchester United last season and scored once from four games during his stay at the U's. Boss Phil Brown said: "I'd like to thank Sam Allardyce for allowing us to take Elliot on loan. He's someone who is capable of scoring goals at this level and I'm delighted to have him here." Both players go straight into the Blues squad for the trip to Mansfield Town tomorrow. ------------------ |
Latest | November 2014