Mansfield Town meeting the opposition.
Tranmere, looking to get back to winning ways after a Prenton Park defeat to Northampton Town, travel to the Field Mill this Saturday afternoon where they will come up against Mansfield Town in a League Two encounter.
Mansfield have had a really frustrating start to the campaign, currently placed in the relegation zone. However, the games between these two sides tend to always be close encounters. To find out more about the hosts including their current on and off pitch situations, I spoke to @MarkerStag1897 who also gave his thoughts on the visitors.
How long have you been a Mansfield Town supporter and how did you first come across the club?
I first started supporting Mansfield Town, at the age of 8 years old. My Dad took me to my first game, and I have been hooked since.
What are your best and worst experiences through watching the Stags?
Best experience was when we got promoted back into the Football League, the worst was relegation a few seasons back.
Random fact about the club/the area?
Our stadium, Field Mill, is the world’s oldest professional football Stadium.
We’re a fair bit of games into the current campaign but what are your thoughts and expectations on the months ahead? How do they compare to those that you
had this time last year?
At the time of writing, it is hard to see where a win is coming from. I am hoping we can improve, when our injured players come back, as well as sign some players in January that are hopefully effective.
Compared to last year, we are in a worse position now, in the League.
Nigel Clough is the current Town manager and has been since his appointment last year. What are your thoughts on him and the style of play that his team
plays at Field Mill, as well as away from home?
When we first appointed him, I along with many Stags fans, was happy that he dropped down this level, to try and turn our fortunes around.
From his time so far, I think he has been unlucky, with the amount of injuries/ suspensions we have had, having said that, I haven’t been impressed by his recruitment, as we don’t seem to have improved, as well as we would have liked to. He likes to play the Diamond formation a lot, which I don’t think we can do well, as I don’t think some of the players are the best at, in my opinion.
The Stags are owned by Carolyn and John Radford, what are your thoughts on what they’ve brought to the club? Are there any current plans that are building
a sense of excitement?
They are the best owners we could have asked for, John is a local lad, who knows what it means to be a Stag, and Carolyn is as equally passionate about the club. They have gotten us back promoted to the Football League, as well as save the club from extinction. They have plans to build a hotel at the side of the stadium, as well as fix Bishop Street Stand.
Who are your key players and danger men?
At this moment in time, Oli Hawkins, who has scored 4, who has had to play centre half, due to injuries. George Lapslie, Stephen Quinn, and Harry Charsley are workhorses in midfield. Also Nathan Bishop, on loan from Manchester United, has been a good addition.
If we are to take a look at this summer’s transfer recruitment, what are your thoughts on the completed incomings and outgoings? Would you have wanted much
more to have happened?
The one area that we haven’t properly addressed is the defence, since James Perch has been ruled out for the season, we have leaked too many goals, only keeping 2 clean sheets. Another area would be up front, as apart from Hawkins, none of the other strikers have been clinical enough.
What do you make of the visitors, Tranmere, as a club in general and what are your thoughts on their team and the man they’re managed by?
Tranmere have had a good start, from what I’ve seen so far, so I would expect them to be in the playoffs. You’re another side that has another experienced manager, who will no doubt want to take you that extra step this time.
To finish our conversation off, what is your score prediction for the game on Saturday afternoon in Nottinghamshire?
It’ll be a very tough game and in truth I’m not feeling optimistic to be honest, so I will say 1-1.
Field Mill, the home of Mansfield Town, is the oldest professional football stadium in the world.