After almost a month, Bristol Rovers are back on the road this weekend as they head up to the East Midlands to face Mansfield Town who are one of the three automatically promoted sides from League Two taking to life in League One impressively well.
Having finished third in the fourth tier last season, Mansfield are competing at this level for the first time since their relegation in 2003 and have so far exceeded everyone from the outside’s expectations.
Nigel Clough’s side are currently seventh in the table with at least two games in hand on the majority of the six teams above them with no limits as to where they could end up come May.
That doesn’t bode well for the Gas who head to Field Mill on Saturday afternoon for their first vist since being beaten 2-1 on the opening day of the season three years ago, a campaign that proved to be extremely special come its conclusion.
The Stags haven’t played for a fortnight due to international-induced postponement with their last outing a 1-0 defeat at Wrexham. They haven’t played a league game at home since securing an impressive 1-1 draw with Birmingham City almost a month ago.
With all that considered, what can Rovers expect from this weekend’s hosts? Bristol Live spoke to the Mansfield Chad Sports Editor John Lomas to get the lowdown on the latest at the club…
How would you assess Mansfield’s start to life back in League One so far?
Going up a division, there is always trepidation. But with many of the squad having played at higher levels in their career and Nigel Clough at the helm, they have made the transition in style, opening with a win at Barnsley and staying at the top end of the table ever since.
The Stags do like to play out from the back and play every game on the front foot with no fear, so they have been a joy to watch and fans have responded with sell-out home games.
Which games have been the stand out matches of the campaign for Mansfield so far from both perspectives?
The opening win at Barnsley set the tone as Stags dominated and played some fantastic football.
There have been so many highlights since then, holding Birmingham City, beating Blackpool and winning away at Wigan among them.
The only side to give the Stags a beating were Lincoln, but the 4-1 away defeat was a bit of a freak score as the Stags had 72 per cent possession and usually reliable ‘keeper Christy Pym gifted two goals with errors – a bad day at the office.
Last time out away at Wrexham saw a 1-0 defeat in a cracking game in which Mansfield had more than enough chances to win it.
What is the target for this season? Has it changed since the start of the campaign given Mansfield’s current position in the table?
Consolidation and avoiding the drop were the initial targets and remain so, but fans are now talking about chasing a play-off spot. Clough just wants everyone to enjoy the ride and see where they are in the end. But he will have one eye on repeating his Burton Albion success – and if they stay injury-free there’s no reason they can’t stay in that play-off chase judging on how they have fared so far.
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Who are the Mansfield players to look out for on Saturday in your opinion?
Striker Lee Gregory is back at the club this season, having left as a youngster to go on and play at a high level, and he is scoring goals, holding the ball up superbly and oozing class. He is already leading scorer.
Utility player Deji Oshilaja joined from Burton in the summer and has been an absolute monster in central defence in the absence of regular starters. He has also showed his quality when pushed into a midfield role too. Definitely the signing of the summer.
And pulling the strings from the defensive midfield spot is Louis Reed, who makes everything tick with a stunning range of passing and a cool head under pressure.
What is your predicted line up and how do you see the game going?
Clough is hoping for a full strength squad – minus striker Rhys Oates who is back in training this week after being injured on New Year’s Day.
Stephen McLaughlin was also nursing a couple of knocks but could be back in the squad.
The biggest doubt is over ‘keeper Christy Pym, who had to come off at Wrexham with a shoulder injury and missed out on linking up with Northern Ireland last weekend. But veteran Scott Flinders is a more than adequate replacement if needed.
Giant defender Aden Flint is back in the side after injury and wins everything in the air and the way Stags are defending there is no room right to now to bring back ex-Rovers man Alfie Kilgour, who has also just returned from long term injury and is itching to start. A decision between him and Cargill is up to Clough, Cargill can also play left wing back.
Stags will take the game to Rovers from the off, backed by a big, noisy crowd.
Let’s hope the current weather issues don’t affect the game – there have been frost covers on the pitch all week.
LIKELY SIDE: Flinders; Hewitt, Oshilaja, Flint, Cargill, Blake-Tracy; Baccus, Reed, S. Quinn; Gregory, Evans.