MANSFIELD MATTERS:FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS!
  • Home
  • 2021/22
  • MM Club Shop!
  • PODCAST
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
    • Series 4 (2020/21)
    • Stags Stories >
      • A Trip Down Memory Lane
      • Legends LIVE
  • 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
    • Stags 2019-20
    • Stags 2020-21

Relight my fire | Stags 1-1 Port Vale

20/10/2021

 
Sky Bet League Two, Tuesday 19th October 2021 ​
Picture
The long anticipated return of Stephen Quinn following a lengthy six game ban coincided with the Stags’ best performance in weeks last night, as Nigel Clough’s men showed some fight and desire to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with promotion hopefuls Port Vale.

On a very wet night at the One Call Stadium, there was a real electricity in the air and on the pitch, as the Stags looked a far cry from the whimpering below par performers from the past few weeks, playing patches of good football which on any other evening, would have resulted in three, well overdue, points.

A point against an in-form and excellent footballing side however is a very good platform and will no doubt burst the bubble of tension that’s been flooding the dressing room. We now need to ensure that we actually do go on and following the performance up with victory.

Quinn’s return really lifted the midfield and gave us much more fire within the middle of the park, with the entire squad showing willing to get stuck in to win the ball back and try and catch Vale on the counter attack – a tactic which led to a number of openings, a penalty which was missed and well taken team goal.

Oli Hawkins’ missed penalty shouldn’t be something we dwell on, it was a good guess and save from the keeper and at that point of the game, typified our luck – had we been awarded the one in the second half, I think we’d have buried it and Mr Radford would have been paying for a new roof for the stadium!

Hawkins’ playing centre back was another reason for our improved performance, I said over the weekend it was a mistake moving him back upfront and whilst he himself will be slightly annoyed to be playing at the back – he brings a calming presence and is very good in the air and on the deck, allowing us to play with calm and fluidity.

I’d leave him there until we’ve either created a solid enough run of form to be able to move him and bring in Forrester, Nartey or Hewitt – or preferably, got to January 1st and signed a commanding central defender – four months between deadline day and the opening of the January window is more than enough time to identify and get a deal done with a club and player – another rant, for another day.

Clough should have Maris back for Saturday which will boost the midfield further and isn’t too far away from having Gordon back in the fold to give us another option down the right hand side – so the troubles for me are very nearly over, it’s time to keep working on playing the counter attacking, fluid way we did last night (and earlier in the season) and push ourselves back up the table.

I wouldn’t say it was the best performance of the season and we clearly still have areas we can improve upon, but we’ve again laid a solid platform to jump from – it’s time to get the landing right, starting with the long trip to Exeter on Saturday.   
​ 
STAGS: Bishop, McLaughlin, Hewitt (J. Clarke 59’), Rawson, Charsley, O. Clarke, Bowery, Hawkins, Quinn (Sinclair 89’), Oates (Johnson 77’), Lapslie UNUSED SUBS: Shelvey, Burke, Ward, Law
Attendance: 4,204 (733)

Comments are closed.
    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
    2021 22
    2021 22 Pre Season
    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
    Match Report 21 22
    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

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    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
  • 2021/22
  • MM Club Shop!
  • PODCAST
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
    • Series 4 (2020/21)
    • Stags Stories >
      • A Trip Down Memory Lane
      • Legends LIVE
  • 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
    • Stags 2019-20
    • Stags 2020-21