MANSFIELD MATTERS:FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS!
  • Home
  • MM-Blog
  • 2020-21
  • PODCAST
    • Stags Stories
    • Legends LIVE
    • A Trip Down Memory Lane
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • 2019-20

Match Preview: Wrexham (A) BSBP Game #31 [Re-Arranged]

3/4/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Craig Priest Writes...

The business end of the season used to be a stroll in the sunshine, a mere case of rubber stamping fixtures and preparing for the following season – this term though it’s a tough gruelling schedule which continues tomorrow, the first of two away trips in three days.

Tomorrow is arguably the bigger of the two fixtures as we finally travel to FA Trophy Champions Wrexham after two previous postponements, the game of course prime opportunity to reach the top as it’s our first game in hand on Kidderminster. Personally I think Barrow’s the tougher test but we’ll cross that bridge on Friday!

Earlier I went down to the One Call to watch the reserves and had the miss-pleasure of over hearing a conversation between two fans, who were categorically adamant that a win tomorrow night at Wrexham would, and I quote, win us the league. Call me a killjoy, call me Mr Negative etc if you like but mathematically it does NOT and the arrogant tone in the statement needs to disappear sharpish. I agree that on principal a win tomorrow will take us top with a better goal difference and by two points with as many games in hand, if we were to keep on winning, we’d be champions no matter what Kidderminster do. Thing is, six games is a long way, longer than what you think – a title is not won on assumptions, it is not won on guess work, it is won however by focus, hard work and a massive dose of being humble and gracious.

Wrexham are a tough side and despite a few poor league results, one win and two defeats in five games, will still pose a tough test. Their own title ambitions are all but over for a third consecutive season, ten points behind ourselves in fourth Andy Morrell’s side are suffering their usual end of season slump – however this time around they have the taste of the FA Trophy success and that may prove enough of a catalyst to a much needed U-turn in form.

Personally I think it will be one of the toughest battles we’ve faced in a long while and the game alone could provide more twists and turns that the title chase itself, again those going will be a key factor – the noise level has to be high and constant, why? Because it’s what we do to win, simple. Keep on doing what we do, that’s all we have to do to become champions.

Wrexham have some good quality players and despite their recent bad run, they’ll fight for every ball and have that venom in every challenge – there is nothing worse than watching something you desire slip through your own hands, with the past faltering Wrexham will be doing all they can to ensure they don’t suffer a repeat.

There’s little else to be said in terms of the football, as mentioned above it’s about winning. I also believe at this critical stage of the season, mind-set plays a huge play. John Radford has given permission and provided funding for an extended weekend away for the boys, not only will this aid in keeping that tight nit togetherness but it will also help keep the players legs fresh. There’s nothing worse than coach travel for hour upon hour and getting cramp, not ideal if you’re getting home at gone mid-night and back in for a light session at 8am and the same again the next day. By staying over in Wrexham (or close by any way) it allows extra recuperation and a more relaxed way of dealing with the tough schedule, by my watch the extended stay over for Stags saves them (from ground to ground) an estimated 266.8 miles travelling and five & a half hours on the road!

Fingers crossed the stay-over works, no place for compliancy or arrogance – the only room we have spare is for three points tomorrow in Wrexham and the same again on Saturday. 

LAST TIME WE MET

These two promotion rivals and relegation friends last met last term in Stags’ final home game of the season. Wrexham, above Stags in second, looked tired, without fight and un-interested. Anthony Howell headed the Stags ahead from Geohaghon’s throw before Alan Marriott netted THAT infamous goal.

In the reverse fixture at the Racecourse Ground in late September Stags ran out 3-1 winners in what proved to be a tough and tight encounter during which both teams saw a player dismissed.

In total the sides have met 85 times down the years a relationship which begin back in 1932. Wrexham have recorded 31 wins to Mansfield’s 33 and have netted 121 goals to our 127 in total. Meanwhile at Wrexham Stags have only recorded seven victories to Wrexham’s 20 which includes the dragon’s FA Trophy first round triumph in 2008 in terms of goals at Wrexham the welsh side lead 73-38.

TEAM NEWS

Another successful game for the reserves today gives Paul Cox a headache; add into the mixing bowl the outstanding display from Anthony Howell on Monday. Cox though will have to suffer the headache with all of his players fit for selection bar the usual absentees. 

MATCH COVERAGE

Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourself for a night of twists, turns and nail biting! If you can’t make the match then be sure you log on to our MM-Live page from 7pm, I’ll bring you build up including highlights from the bank holiday weekends fixtures, plus FULL MATCH COMMENTARY on the match itself – allowing you to have your say throughout the night.

Commentary will also be broadcast on Takeover Radio 106.9FM from the later time of 7.30pm.

Get in touch on twitter (@mtfcmatters) or Text 07804 15 66 37

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not those of Mansfield Matters or it’s related organisations – To submit a blog, email mtfcmatters@gmail.com

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ABOUT MM-BLOG

    If you enjoy the Mansfield Matters Podcast, our Blog page is very similar - just in article form as team members share their views on matches and events! 

    Fancy submitting an article, DM us on Facebook/Twitter to get our attention, or email mtfcmatters@gmail.com (please note, this inbox isn't monitored often so it may take a while to get back to you) 

    Please read the disclaimer on the home page. 

    Categories

    All
    2011 12 Season Review
    2011-12 Season Review
    2013 14 Pre Season
    2013 14 Pre-Season
    2013/14 Season
    2014/15 Pre Season
    2014/15 Pre-Season
    201516 Seson
    2016 17
    2016-17
    2017 18
    2017-18
    2018 19
    2018 19 Pre Season
    2019 20
    2019-20
    2019 20 Pre Season
    2020 21
    Awards
    Capital One Cup
    Checkatrade Trophy
    Craig Priest
    EFL Cup (Carabao)
    EFL Trophy
    EFL Trophy (Leasing.com)
    EFL Trophy [Papa Johns]
    Fa Cup
    Farewell Matt Green
    Featured Bloggers
    Friendly
    Game Review
    Green Energy Challenge Trophy
    History
    Hot Topics
    Into The Unknown
    John Thompson
    Jpt
    Kirsty Swann
    League Cup
    Legends Live
    Manager Review
    Mansfield Matters Weekly
    Mark Plumb
    Match Preview
    Match Preview 2012 13
    Match Preview 2012-13
    Match Preview 2013 14
    Match Preview 2013-14
    Match Preview 2017 18
    Match Report
    Match Report 13 14
    Match Report 13-14
    Match Report 14 15
    Match Report 14-15
    Match Report 17 18
    Match Report 18 19
    Match Report 19 20
    Match Report 2012 13
    Match Report 2012-13
    Match Report 20 21
    Memory Lane
    Mid Season
    News
    Paul Cox 100
    Player Review
    Play Offs
    Play-Offs
    Play Offs [League Two]
    Podcast
    Pre-season1213
    Pre Season 17/18
    Reserve Team
    Rhys Day Testimonial
    Road Trips
    Season Review 2012 13
    Season Review 2012-13
    Sky Bet League Two
    Stags Stories
    Stags Youth
    Supporter Blog
    The Exhibition XIs
    Twelve Against Time
    Under 21s
    Wembley 2011
    Where Are They Now
    Your Views

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2016
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • MM-Blog
  • 2020-21
  • PODCAST
    • Stags Stories
    • Legends LIVE
    • A Trip Down Memory Lane
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • 2019-20