Perry explains Holdsworth choice

Mansfield Town chairman Andy Perry has revealed new manager David Holdsworth comes to Field Mill highly recommended.

Holdsworth was appointed on Monday replacing Billy McEwan who was sacked earlier this month.

Perry told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I spoke to a couple of people at Sheffield United who said he would be worth talking to.

"And Trevor Francis said he can't vouch for him as a manager, but as a person when he wants something, he gets it."

Francis was Holdsworth's manager during his time at Birmingham City.

Perry added: "That is what he achieves and he is a real go and get them type of guy.

"We had some good applicants apply. David was mentioned a few times by other people we know in football locally.

"As we went through the interview stage his named cropped up a few times, so we did some research ourselves.

"He's got aspirations matching, if not bettering the board at times, with the ways he wants to work and what he wants to achieve for himself at Mansfield Town. He's a real clued up guy."

Holdsworth watched from the stands as Mansfield lost 2-0 to Burton on Monday night leaving them just two points clear of the Blue Square relegation zone.

The new manager said: "I think you have to have clean slate when you come in. I do know a lot about the players and I have been doing my research and using my contacts to find out about them.

"I think you have to give the benefit of the doubt to everybody.

"Yes Mansfield needs success and the results haven't been to good, but I will give them all the opportunity to show they are eager to be here."