Evans press conference 9 March

[Martin Shaw]

15 mins. Available in full on StagsPlayerHD

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[Martin Shaw]

Stags close to full strength ahead of big match
mansfieldtown.net, 9th March 2017

Stags’ boss Steve Evans has a near-full complement of players to choose from for Saturday's home match against Plymouth Argyle, with only goalkeeper Jake Kean unavailable through injury.

After defender Kyle Howkins returned to the Stags' squad to take a place on the bench against Cheltenham last week, fellow centre-back George Taft has now fully recovered from his hamstring injury, whilst strikers Matt Green and Danny Rose have returned to full training since their respective groin and hamstring strains.

And the boss says having the quartet return from injury is like having four new players enter the dressing room.

“Obviously they’ve (Green and Rose) missed some game-time but both have trained, both have looked quite sharp in training and we’ll assess them today and make sure again tomorrow," the Stags' manager said.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/artic ... qsZ5JyC.99

[Martin Shaw]

[Martin Shaw]

Evans looks to freshen it up as Green and Rose return
chad.co.uk, by MATT BROOKS, Thursday 09 March 2017

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans says he wants to freshen the team up for the arrival of Plymouth Argyle to the One Call Stadium, after revealing he has a near full squad to choose from for Saturday’s League Two clash.

Strikers Matt Green and Danny Rose played 60 minutes in an inter-squad match behind-closed-doors on Tuesday, as they look to build their match sharpness ahead of a run of fixtures which sees Stags take on Colchester and Carlisle next week. Danny Rose Both came through the run out unscathed and Evans said the pair are in contention for the visit of second-in-the-table Plymouth. While defensive duo Kyle Howkins and George Taft are also available again after recovering from respective injuries.

Evans said: “They (Green and Rose) played a practice match for an hour. Both were involved and both did really well so providing they train properly today and tomorrow they’re in contention. The concern you have is about starting the game. I think you understand as a coach if you start them the chances of them playing the 90 are remote.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/ma ... -1-8430352

[Martin Shaw]

Boys buzzing ahead of season finale - Shearer
mansfieldtown.net, 9th March 2017

Goalkeeper Scott Shearer says there is excitement in the Stags’ dressing room with 11 games left to play in the Sky Bet League Two promotion race.

Of the 11 games which remain in the league campaign, Stags still have the entire top seven and two of the chasing pack left to play as they sit two points behind Exeter in seventh place.

However, 36-year-old stopper Shearer sees the Stags’ run-in as a positive and says his team-mates are excited to be a part of it.

“I’m excited and I know the group are excited down in the dressing room. We’re working hard and we just need to go on the pitch and perform like we know we can perform,” Shearer said.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/artic ... qxR0MHf.99

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Stags keeper Shearer ‘gutted’ for injured team-mate Kean
chad.co.uk, by MATT BROOKS, Thursday 09 March 2017

Stags stopper Scott Shearer said he was “gutted” for team-mate Jake Kean when he sustained a knee injury a home to Newport County. Kean, on loan at Mansfield Town from Sheffield Wednesday, is back with parent club Owls during his rehabilitation and is expected to be sidelined for another ten days to two weeks at least.

His misfortune presented Shearer with the chance to shine and the 36-year-old has made the most of his opportunity so far, having not conceded in 230 minutes of League Two football.

Shearer said: “The team went on an incredible run of keeping clean sheets and winning games (with Jake Kean in the team) so I couldn’t really argue for change.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/ma ... -1-8431015


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Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams sets his sights on club record
March 09, 2017, by Chris Errington, plymouthherald.co.uk

DEREK ADAMS has set a target for Plymouth Argyle of breaking the club record for the most away wins in a Football League season.

The promotion-chasing Pilgrims are currently on 10 this term and will be aiming for number 11 against eighth-placed Mansfield Town on Saturday (3pm).

Argyle's record stands at 12, which they have achieved on three previous occasions, including last season.

The other two were in 1929/30 and 2001/02, with the Pilgrims promoted as divisional champions both times.

Second-placed Argyle have seven more away games this term, starting against Mansfield at Field Mill, to set a new record.

Adams told Herald Sport: "That's the target. We will need to do that to get ourselves in the automatic promotion places.

"We need to go away from home and win games."

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymout ... RAb3C0z.99

Five of Argyle remaining away fixtures are against teams with aspirations of either automatic promotion or securing a play-off spot.

They include trips to leaders Doncaster Rovers, third-placed Portsmouth and play-off hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United.

So the Pilgrims are going to need to be at their most resilient best on their travels to pick up the points they need to maintain their position.

Only four of their last 11 league games of the season will be at Home Park and Adams said: "It's quite strange how it has worked out that way.

"I'm not sure how it has but, from my point of view, we have done well away from home."

He added: "We enjoy playing away from home. We have been able to win 10 games, which is a good points total."

Argyle won 2-1 at Mansfield in the FA Cup earlier this season after a late goal from David Fox

Argyle have already won at Mansfield this season, beating them 2-1 in a FA Cup first round tie in November.

Later that month the Stags replaced manager Adams Murray with the experienced Steve Evans and they have won 11 of their 22 competitive matches under him.

They are currently two points behind Exeter City, who occupy the last of the four play-off positions.

Adams said: We went there in the FA Cup and won 2-1. They are a similar position to what they were then.

"They have obviously changed manager and personnel. They invested in the January transfer window to try to push into the play-offs.

"I wouldn't say they are too different under Steve Evans but they have got new players in their squad."

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