Game 33 - The Stags (H)

Team: Mansfield Town

Date: 16/02/19

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Neal Ardley opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

a 2-1 win would be good again, i think mansfield may put up abit more of a fight(literally) than lincoln though. I sense more cards in this game.

i think we will give them more of a game and with o brien and doyle i think they should be enough to stop mansfield from having a field day, would take a draw but would love us to snatch a late win.

I'm far from confident, I fear that it could lead to a small blip but I would happily take a draw.

We won't win every game, so we have to be realistic and our record against Mansfield is shocking. Yes time has to change and if the players did do this, well it would be smashing but I certainly don't expect it.

Keep adding your opinions folks as we lead up-to the game.

If you have some thoughts on the game before kickoff, have your say here.

If Notts manages to win, Neal Ardley needs giving the keys to Meadow Lane.

What would it feel like to beat Mansfield at home and climb further to safety? The players need to treat it carefully but focus on disrupting Mansfield's playing style. Go bet us those points!

We mustn’t get drawn into a situation where we end up with red cards. Bishop will be trying to intimidate people. I’m worried we will get mugged into disciplinary problems.

2-2 draw watch.

I suspect it will be quite the game but with the outcome very tied, I just hope Notts responds to any potential setbacks.

A win would be a miracle and sign of further confidence, I just hope for a good performance and a point.

A point would be acceptable in this game but a win would be great for moral and to say mansfield have lost their unbeaten streak against us.

Notts needs to keep for Mansfield players quiet, Neal Bishop, Jorge Grant, Kyle Walker and CJ Hamilton.

Neal Bishop is easy, just focus on playing passing football. He struggles to do that sort of pretty stuff, yes he can break it up but that's mostly through being physical and he could end up being sent off if Notts plays well.

17 minutes ago, BigMag said:

Notts needs to keep for Mansfield players quiet, Neal Bishop, Jorge Grant, Kyle Walker and CJ Hamilton.

Neal Bishop is easy, just focus on playing passing football. He struggles to do that sort of pretty stuff, yes he can break it up but that's mostly through being physical and he could end up being sent off if Notts plays well.

Sounds like hes suited to Mansfield.

4 hours ago, Truefootballfan said:

We mustn’t get drawn into a situation where we end up with red cards. Bishop will be trying to intimidate people. I’m worried we will get mugged into disciplinary problems.

I could see some of their players getting sent off if ours keep their heads down. 1-0 Notts win for me.

Avoid any unnecessary changes, focus on defending strongly and just for broke when able to counter.

I think Mansfield will want to slow the game down and play quite fast when it suites them. I am not sure Notts can win, I don't expect that but a draw would be a good result.

I wouldn't make many changes either, the team has performed well the past few games.

Gomis and Mackail-Smith up front for me. Energy up front. Close down the three centre-halfs. Stop them from playing out from the back and stop them from getting the ball to Bishop. 

Whilst Hamilton, Walker and Grant do pose the dangers for Mansfield, Bishop is the one who makes things tick. He got sent off against Carlisle and they lost. He was suspended for Yeovil and they lost. He is the key.

Need to isolate Bishop and reduce his impact on the game. Also, wind Preston up

Got a feeling about this one. To be fair I've had a feeling about this several times over the years and we always lose against them. I wouldn't mind seeing Hemmings from the start if he's fit for this one. If we pick up from where we left off last week we'll make a game of it at least.

Safe journey for who is going today.. come back with 3 points.

Great game and finally a win over mansfield, they'll never get over losing against the bottom of the league.

what a win

A win against mansfield is well overdue, so glad we finally did it.

I felt Notts played very well, not just for one half or 75 minutes but the whole game.

Defensively, I never felt like Mansfield would score largely down to how tight and restricted our defence and midfield made them play, their game changes couldn't do anything and Jorge Grant looked like he did towards the end of last season for us. I felt the strike by Craig Mackail-Smith was a fantastic strike, I knew it was going in the moment the ball bounced straight in front of him.

It's a good technical shot, well struck and well placed.

Seriously the teams passion is spot on and Michael Doyle seems to be a ball buster, I'm not suggesting this is a bad thing but there's times he should just try to be happy for others. What a difference he and Jim O'Brien have made.

It's pleasing to see the magical work that Neal Ardley has done, he's completely turned things around and has restored the hope. I felt proud watching Notts, it reminded me of a game we would have played in the 90's, just a solid team working hard for each other and playing together. It makes a massive difference but to win a team who's fans took the piss out of our league position.

Chanted songs about relegation, well the last laugh is on them because I fail to see how they will secure an automatic position.

Notts played very well and as usual they played dirty but i didn't hear of any extra protection against Jorge Grant as amusingly requested.

It was superb, as was the week before. We seem to have found just the right mix of passion, nous and flair. O'Brien and Doyle are absolute beasts who will never let us down. We're still in the mire but frankly I wouldn't relish the prospect of playing against us right now!