‘2007/08 – A Relegation Odyssey’ ?

Blink and you will miss something at Field Mill right now.

The plot is thicker than a James Bond blockbuster and makes for unmissable drama.

 Don’t even go to bed at night for you are bound to have missed something by next morning.

The latest characters introduced into ‘2007/08 – A Relegation Odyssey’ have been Billy McEwan and now John Batchelor.

McEwan was reputed to be a prime candidate for the manager’s job but, despite two defeats over Easter, found himself missing out as faith (and the club’s League future) was placed firmly in the hands of caretaker Paul Holland.

At the same time Stephen Booth told the world that a deal had ‘in effect’ been done and James Derry was now in effective control of the club.

Cue cheers from delighted fans.

But then enter, stage left, Mt John Batchelor – seen as a pantomime villain in York, where he took the club into administration.

Batchelor appears to be one of the most colourful characters in the tale so far and is offering ‘whacky and zany ideas’ to bring in money.

One minute he was going to be part of the Derry consortium.

But Derry did not hear anyone shout ‘He’s behind you’ as Batchelor met up with the Stags’ fans ultimate ‘Dr Evil’ Keith Haslam to offer to go it alone. A real plot twist.

Meanwhile Stags prepare for the run-in with some ruthless chopping and changing by agent Holland who knows he has only one chance to get this right and that in 37 days he will either get the freedom of Mansfield or never be able to set foot in town again.

Six players have gone and two are due in as I write this, though deadline is ticking ever nearer. It’s great stuff and you really couldn’t make it up.

The last scenes of ‘2007/08 – A Relegation Odyssey’ could go either way.

Six very winnable points could be bagged in the next two games, Derry could finally take over, Batchelor may come in or Haslam stay on. Who knows?

This season has been a depressing movie so far with enough moments of genuine horror to make you choke on your popcorn – a real 18 certificate.

Certainly much of Monday’s Bury game needed to be watched between your fingers or from behind the sofa.

But this movie could still have a happy ending.

No one is writing 2008/09 – A Conference Odyssey just yet.

But Holland’s new-look cast have to do the business quickly – starting at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

Let’s go Dutch!

If Paul Holland doesn’t get the Mansfield Town manager’s job this week then he may as well take up a different career.

Asked to show his credentials for the job over two games he has masterminded two outstanding displays and renewed hope for survival.

But still the doubts remain from those running the football club.

Of course football, like life, is full of uncertainties and twists and they may appoint Holland tomorrow and he goes on to lose every other game between now and the end of the season.

But would a new boss – Billy McEwan seems a strong candidate -  come in and do better?

I am not a betting man. But if you play the percentage game, you have to say that Holland looks the safest bet, being someone already in the club, able to bring out the best of the players he has and play the sort of football the supporters want to see.

For all those spouting garbage about him being overweight, who cares?

As someone who has played in a friendly game against Holland in the last couple of years I can tell you he would run you into the ground all day still.

Holland was a consummate professional who only put on weight after seeing his career ended by a serious knee injury.

And what has happened results-wise while he has been number two to other bosses is immaterial. All that counts is what he can do as number one. You live and die by what you can produce yourself and so far what he has produced has been pretty impressive.

So for God’s sake let’s get on with it. This club needs some stability somewhere and if we are going to appoint Paul Holland let’s do it today.

If not let’s bring in the new man today and get him cracking as time is running out.

At least with Holland at the helm, no one is coming in blind and having to learn players’ strengths/weaknesses/temperaments within a few days.

We are not talking three-year contracts or anything here. We are talking about a 10-game quick fix rescue job. Longer term solutions can be discussed in the summer.

Let’s not dither and dally, let’s make a decision that could be one of the most important in the club’s Football League history.

The Dutch are known for ‘total football,’ let’s see what our Holland can offer.

The end is nigh, the time is now

THE relegation battle took a turn for the worse last night thanks to two odd-goal victories.

It is a fine dividing line and relegation rivals Stags and Macclesfield fell either side of it last night, opening a five point gap to safety.

Managerless Mansfield produced the performance we all know fully well they are capable of when they put their minds to it (isn’t that so exasperating?) and battered away at an excellent Hereford side.

But the Bulls escaped with all three points thanks to a well take free kick and Stags missing a penalty.

At Dagenham it was a similar story as the home side missed a crucial (for Mansfield) spot kick and Francis Green punished them with a winner 18 minutes from time to pull Macclesfield further away.

The pressure on those in power at Field Mill this week is enough to cause another earthquake.

They have to make sure they do the right thing regarding a managerial appointment and bringing in new players as anything other than the perfect solution could see them drop out of the Football League. And we need a club takeover – yesterday!

One thing is fairly certain – number one or number two – Paul Holland has to stay.

We simply do not have the time for a new broom to bring in his own people and start to assess what he has in the dressing room (he wouldn’t recognise them from a home match display to an away display anyway)!

The way the lads responded to Holland’s tactics on Tuesday was magnificent and, for all his critics, the truth is Paul is Mansfield Town through and through and has waited patiently for a chance to take the reins.

Maybe a Billy McEwan/Paul Holland combination could be the answer? Two people with history at the club who care?

Anyone who watched Saturday’s shambles against Rochdale and did not return for more of the same on a cold, windy Tuesday night against Hereford would not believe the difference.

Stags looked hungry and fired up and chased everything. Exactly what they should have for Billy Dearden on Saturday.

It was a crying shame his long association with Mansfield Town had to end in such a sickening way.

But the man has given everything for the cause, despite having his hands continually tied, and managed to maintain a sense of humour.

I am sure there have been many occasions he wanted to tell his critics the truth but was unable.

It would be very interesting if, having gone, he decided to tell all about how he has been forced to get by. But, being an old school gentleman, I can’t see it happening myself.

It is impossible to know what is going on behind the scenes at Field Mill for any of us.

Even fact can soon become fiction.

One minute there was a room full of press on Saturday night being told a new manager would be announced within 48 hours – then a denial that it was ever said!

Oh, there was also a mention of ‘possible good news this week on the takeover’ which, surprise, surprise, has so far again failed to materialise.

How can it possibly take this long to buy or sell a football club?

Mansfield Town Football Club needs some stability and needs it now.

If people really care then meetings must be brought forward, details hammered out, decisions made and paperwork drawn up around the clock.

Do it all over a liquid lunch if need be chaps. Because Ill Rosso could soon become Last Chance Saloon.

But let’s not let this football club die because we all had full diaries and were too slow in moving forward.

After this weekend at Bradford we have a week’s break and then four games in 11 days over an Easter week that currently promises little chance of a miracle resurrection.

Thank god we are away at Bradford on Saturday. Here’s to a steaming curry, a decent pint and three more away points. We can but hope.