Walsall scorefred sponsored by Stirk it to 'em

[gazza1988]

Well after a resounding win against Harrogate, Mansfield tradition dictates this should be an "after the Lord Mayor's show". We have been smashing "traditions" for the better all season so hopefully this will continue. Hopefully, I can go 4/4 for wins. 14 goals and 2 conceded in 3 games is brilliant form.

Saturday's referee is Thomas Parsons. He has yet to take a game this season for us but had 2 last season, his only 2. The season before least he was in the National league.

His first game last season was our 4-1 home win against Doncaster in late January 2023 This game Was Louis Reed and Scott Flinder's debut for us. It was also Alfie Kilgour's 1st start.

Matin's rating: "7 Generally handled the game well. Should have sent off Anderson for a very dangerous foul on Quinn."

His second game last season was our 4-2 away win against Swindon in April 2023 Boateng scored his first goal for Mansfield in this game.

Martin's rating: "8 Very good game."

Seems we are getting decent refs for this level. He's took control of 2 games seeing us scoring 8 and conceding 3.

[Birminghamstag10]

Should be a bumper away following on Saturday, really looking forward to a relatively local game for me! I think DJ will still be out injured, not that he'd have likely started anyway! Hoping we follow up last night and really pull away from the chasing pack. COYS!

[lifestags]

Gosh here goes,


Pym
Williams Flint Brunt Bowery
Reed
Clarke Boeteng
DKD
Akins Nichols


this is only what I think the team will be (not what I would pick) Unreal that Cargill isn't in this team, just cant see him ''resting'' Bowery. Williams has started 2 and we have kept 2 clean sheets. Swan to come on and make a similar impact as the other night.

Bench:
Flinders, Cargill, Lewis, Quinn, Swan, Macca, Maris.

We should also have Hewitt available in the squad but I cant fit him in right now.

[Cleveland_Stag]

Incredibly tough team selection for this one. With that said:

Pym
Bowery Flint Brunt Cargill
Reed
Boateng Clarke
DKD
Akins Swan

If you wanted to rotate a bit more, you could even rest Reed and play Maris at the base.

Boateng has to play on the right of the diamond when he’s on the pitch too. He’s excellent at drifting inside onto his stronger left foot and linking up with forwards or shooting with his left.

[Ralphy]

Potentially could be a pattern of playing Nichols and Swan away from home to get teams quicker on the counter attack?

[Jimstag]

Having already played Saturday and Tuesday this week I expect a bit more rotation, he took the likes of reed and flint off early so can see them playing but may lose those who did the full 90.

Win at home and draw away and we’ll be top 3 at the end of the season so ignore the hype and put the effort in.

[Martin Shaw]

Having already played Saturday and Tuesday this week I expect a bit more rotation, he took the likes of reed and flint off early so can see them playing but may lose those who did the full 90.

indeed. I doubt Boateng will be starting after playing 90+5

[Costastag]

I agree about playing swan and nichols together ,but with the squad weve got you just dont know who nigels going to pick or rest lets just keep it going and get some momentum going into the last third of the season ,think we will have too much for walsall so its another away win

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

I honestly can’t see anything except a Mansfield win for this one if we play to our strengths. The team will be full of confidence following Tuesday’s game and will be champing at the bit to get back out there.

2-0 to the mighty Mansfield.

Just as much interest for me will be watching Nigel’s interaction with Ryan Stirk. Following our win at The One Call in October, Clough entered the pitch and made a beeline for Ryan before he approached any of his own players. He was obviously complimentary in what he was saying to him and made me think he may be a target for transfer during the summer. It will be interesting to see if he does it again.

[adamstag]

The chip on the shoulder still keeping DJ out.

[STAGS FOR LIFE]

The chip on the shoulder still keeping DJ out.

Whiplash from his boot laces.

[yorkshire stag]

1-3 Stags let’s do this

[pemill]

The result will be an interesting one, will we carry the goal scoring form from FGR & Harrogate into Saturday's game, I really hope so.

[STAGS FOR LIFE]

[gazza1988]

[Amber Andy]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

[Elkesley Stag]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

How could he drop Clarke after scoring 2 at FGR , that didn’t work out to bad though

[oldweststander]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

Horses for courses I suggest.

Clarke had to come in and Walsall at home are no fools.

No doubt we will see five subs used again.

[Amber Andy]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

How could he drop Clarke after scoring 2 at FGR , that didn’t work out to bad though

Boateng was exceptional last week (ten out of ten performance). He's hardly played this season, so doesn't need resting.

[The One]

Thats a strong bench

[halifaxstag]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

How could he drop Clarke after scoring 2 at FGR , that didn’t work out to bad though

Boateng was exceptional last week (ten out of ten performance). He's hardly played this season, so doesn't need resting.

The opposite is true. You don’t go and run a half marathon after just training and then do another one the week after. You need to give your muscles time to recover otherwise you risk getting injuries.

[SeanieStag]

Some big decisions have been made with that lineup. Tuesday’s lineup took everyone by surprise and it worked. I think today’s lineup is equally surprising and unpredictable. If we win Clough will be hailed a genius, a loss and he’ll be criticised for messing with a winning team. All I know is that he’s got us playing well again after a rough January. Hopefully we can keep the form going and keep free from injuries until the end of the season. Promotion is in our hands, they’ll be the odd blip in these last 15 games but I’ve got faith we’ll do it.

[Martin Shaw]

How on earth can NC drop Boateng ?

How could he drop Clarke after scoring 2 at FGR , that didn’t work out to bad though

Boateng was exceptional last week (ten out of ten performance). He's hardly played this season, so doesn't need resting.

As I said the other day, there was no way Boateng would start after playing 90+5 on Tuesday. Completely different if it was Sat to Sat

[gazza1988]

With our options, there will always be disappointment certain players aren't starting.

Have a look at that bench, then consider we still have Elliott Hewitt, Callum Johnson, Calum MacDonald. Alfie Kilgour(*), James Gale and ~Rhys Oates (*) still to return. granted the "*" player are next season

We have to pick sides that get us through the season. We have strength in depth we need to use it so I can see each game, certainly Sat-Tues-Sat (or easter games), seeing us rotate our squad.

[gazza1988]