Mansfield Town (A) - Sat 24th February

[tangerinedream]

This weekend we face a seemingly difficult game away at Field Mill when we go head to head with second placed Mansfield Town with The Stags presently just two points of the top behind a faltering Stockport County. Given their lofty league position it's particularly surprising to compare their previous eight game points haul against ours since the arrive of Karl Robinson in the Moor Lane hot seat. Three wins (from their last four outings), two draws and three defeats has produced a points return of 11 from a possible 24 while we've seen four wins (three against top seven clubs) and four draws producing 16 from 24 points. We off course lost at home to them earlier in the season when we were quite frankly dire at best but an impressive double last season including that memorable 5-2 trouncing coupled with an almost miraculous resurrection under KR since his arrival in January should put us in a confident frame of mind on Saturday. To be honest I'm more fearful of Colchester United at home the following Tuesday night given our abysmal record against them! 

[alanb]

Yeah, you do sometimes wonder if there is some perverse natural science in action with Salford; that forces us to play well when up against top teams, but then to play insipid when it's 'just' one of the bottom ones.

In Mansfield's case, however, I won't be surprised if we win. We do seem to be in increasingly good form.

Really looking forward to this game. Not too far to go, either!

[chipbarm]

Mansfield are a very good team and if anyone is going to end our unbeaten run it could well be them. After last week's second half performance and unbeaten in 8 we shouldn't fear anyone though so who knows. I'm just delighted to go from expecting a dire performance and a beating to being confident of watching some decent football, a few goals and every chance of a positive result.

[Chris P. Bacon]

I hope to win but expect us to lose. If we do, then I won’t be too worried. This season is all about KR getting to know the squad and keeping us up.

That said…..we have a chance given our recent form. If they go ahead and try and sit back, we’ll punish them

Update: I just realised that we actually have better form than Mansfield over the last 5 games…….so you never know. 

[alanb]

Pleased to see that the weather forecast for tomorrow's game is good: bit chilly, but sunny intervals and only light winds, 0% chance of rain.
Then, having said that, perhaps that's not actually something to be that pleased about - thinking back to how well our team did in last Saturday's aquaplaning conditions ... especially Kelly.

[je85]

The 9-2 hammering of Harrogate is probably what drives a nervousness going into today but Mansfield did get beat by Walsall last time out. Personally Mansfield, Barrow and Colchester are the games that never seem to go with any sort of expectation.

When we get to end of the year I think games against the sides that ultimately go up under KR will be the most telling. I am hopeful we get a result today, ideally getting a right footer at RB will help because I can’t see how Clough doesn’t look at that as an option hit create opportunities from. I think there will be goals today my head 3-3 wouldn’t shock me, but fingers crossed it ends in another win on the road. UTA

[jayb99]

Defensively found lacking right from the off. Getting in behind Dan Chesters early doors. Attacking I think we offer a lot, I think Hendry is a great link and Luamba looks better every week. - can't really get on board with all the ref bashing today, the commentators describing it as 'truly horrendous refereeing'. I saw it as a red card and didn't have much of a problem with most of the decisions. Perhaps one or two as always at this level. Beaten by a much better side today for me it's that simple. Positives out there and we were due a loss.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Feb 24, 2024 17:11:44 GMT jayb99 said:

Defensively found lacking right from the off. Getting in behind Dan Chesters early doors. Attacking I think we offer a lot, I think Hendry is a great link and Luamba looks better every week. - can't really get on board with all the ref bashing today, the commentators describing it as 'truly horrendous refereeing'. I saw it as a red card and didn't have much of a problem with most of the decisions. Perhaps one or two as always at this level. Beaten by a much better side today for me it's that simple. Positives out there and we were due a loss.

That was worst red card decision I’ve ever seen. I’m not even sure it was a yellow. The refereeing in League 2 this season is the worst I’ve ever seen. 

But that had nothing to do with us losing the game.

[chipbarm]

We were 3 - 1 down when Vassell was sent off and had been distinctly 2nd best, imo the game was lost before that happened. Defensively yet again we were poor and you'll never win games doing that. They took full advantage of the extra man to really rub it in, not a surprise really after we put 5 past them last season I guess. I wonder if a bit of over confidence crept in after our good run? We also still look a bit predictable going forward at times, nullify Smith and we look a little devoid of ideas.

Hopefully this is a big wake up call and we can bounce back on Tuesday night.

[alanb]

Feb 24, 2024 20:37:26 GMT chipbarm said:

We were 3 - 1 down when Vassell was sent off and had been distinctly 2nd best, imo the game was lost before that happened. Defensively yet again we were poor and you'll never win games doing that. They took full advantage of the extra man to really rub it in, not a surprise really after we put 5 past them last season I guess. I wonder if a bit of over confidence crept in after our good run? We also still look a bit predictable going forward at times, nullify Smith and we look a little devoid of ideas.

Hopefully this is a big wake up call and we can bounce back on Tuesday night.

   I'm sure we will!     What a stylish first goal from Luamba. Do hope that he's OK.

[tangerinedream]

Been out all day yesterday and only just got in early morning today so hence the late post. I'm not sulking. Honestly! It was inevitable that we'd lose our unbeaten run at some stage. It's just the manner and scoreline that is the most disappointing aspect, particularly after I was led to believe that it was a very even opening first half. It's now hugely important as to how we react to this setback on Tuesday night.

[tangerinedream]

KR post match .......