Well it's been a long time since we've played Mansfield in in the 07-08 season. Naturally our home supporters will be expecting to see a win on Saturday against a team sat lower down in the league in 18th with a GD of -5. Form record for Mansfield Record in last six games (W-D-L) All: 0-4-2 Home: 2-1-3 Away: 1-3-2 They don't seem to have a great attack with their top scorer, Bingham, on three goals. This might mean they have a good defense to have kept out of the relegation zone. Jamie Sendles-White a QPR loanee has had his loan extended. Defenders Ritchie Sutton, John Dempster and Luke Jones are out, as are striker Matt Rhead and midfielder Simon Heslop, and Ollie Palmer and Chris Clements are both doubts. Shrewsbury have had a good few games and got good results. Admittedly we have seen a few games where we have seen a result ground out, and fitness has definitely improved this season. Grandison is available again, Leutviler is possible but it'll depend on fitness and whether Mellon lets Halstead play against a team like this. Woods is out for the game due to collecting five yellows. This gives Griffiths or Wildig an opportunity in CM. Grimmer has just had his loan extended until January and McAllister is extended out to Stevenage until January as well.. I believe we will see a win, but I hope the team are ready as soon as the whistle blows at the start and defend from the front to give us an opportunity to attack and get all three points. You never know, this might be one of those long deserved high scroing games like the Bury one !! Floreat Salopia Match previews: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29964432 http://www.shrewsburytown.com/fixtures-results/match-preview/index.aspx?matchid=3734475 http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/315070/preview
I do not know a lot about the Mansfield team but it strikes me that this is a game everyone is expecting us to win so it could be a potential banana skin unless the team gets it attitude right. I heard one of the Springbok rugby team say on the radio today that history is not going to go out and win us the game tomorrow against England and we must adopt the same attitude. I would put Grandison back in for what may well be a physical encounter and play Griffith in front of the back line so the other two midfield players (Lawrence and Grant) can bomb forward. I would stick with Collins and Mangan up front so they can further develop their striking partnership with Akpro and Clark coming on in the second half hopefully while we are in a comfortable lead. 3-0 to Town - Floreat Salopia! Dare I mention that if we win and Luton do not we will be top at least until Monday when Wycombe play?
good preview. hope it is 3 points for town. have looked on Exeter city boards and notice metashrew is the main contributor. where is lenny? 2-0 to town tomorrow
Good prediction Aj! Should've won the game early on but with Collins shooting high we took our time. Couldn't believe their goalkeeper got told to hurry up so early on when it was nil nil. Ref didn't help matters with some weak decisions. their player was lucky to stay on after lashing out a little earlier. Grant was working his socks off in midfield and grimmer was doing similar in right back. Grant worked hard to blast in an opening goal to give town the lead. Grant again worked his way into the area and got a corner that led to the ball being headed down and Collins knocked it in the net. Some think the ball was already heading in though.
Pretty well agree with your summary Matster. Going forward Mansfield showed very little threat but they did defend doggedly. I thought we were far too slow in moving the ball first half and really missed Woods in midfield. Lawrence again showed his ability but I do worry about his temperament - he was very lucky to stay on the field with some clumsy challenges made after reacting to a tackle and getting booked. We dominated the second half after Grant's great strike settled us down and should have had a few more. Man of the Match for me was Grimmer - as in his last game (at Dagenham) he repeatedly skinned the left back, put in a great assist for the first goal and for what should have been the first goal when Collins blazed over. Shame Luton won but you cannot argue with six straight league wins and I am tempted to make the long trip down to Exeter next week.
Collins is a concern, although he is scoring , he had several opportunities to shoot from further out by the edge of the box yet decided to run sideways with it or pass it on again.
http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfie...-shrewsbury-town-2-mansfield-town-0-1-6955203 Good write up from Mansfield press.
delighted for Town who have won 6 on the bounce from my visit to the Home game of Cheltenham. Exeter were doing well in the league and I note they got a 2-2 draw at Newport today. I am watching Town from the family stand Exeter next Saturday and am hoping for a 7 on the bounce win. hopefully woodsy will be back. before that we need to beat Walsall in t' Cup.
Matster, I am Collins' biggest fan but do not think he is yet firing on all cylinders (and seems to play better away than at home) but I remember in our promotion season he really came into his own in the second half of the season so I am hoping for that. Seems like he really struggled for form last season in a relegated side and he is taking a bit of time to fully shake that off.
