Struggling Mansfield face huge challenge at Exeter

Mansfield Town face their longest trip of the season when they face promotion contending rivals Exeter, with both teams needing three points in order to strengthen their bid for automatic promotion into League One.

Mansfield have been in very disappointing form recently, after last game the Stags recorded an awful defeat against Crewe Alexandra with the game ending 2-1. After a late brace from substitute midfielder Callum Ainley, Mansfield slipped down into fourth place and out of the automatic promotion places.

Mansfield’s form is below average for a team that is looking to get automatic promotion with the Stags recording two wins, two draws and two losses in the last six league games with Mansfield now being three points away from the automatic promotion spots. Mansfield boss David Flicroft, has spoken about the shock defeat against Crewe and believes that his players are fired up and ready to take on Exeter.

“They [players]know exactly what is expected,” he said. “They know what is required. The spirit has been reignited this week.

“The fire is there. They know they’re in for one hell of a game. Exeter are a good team and have some top players.

“We know we have to be on our best to compete with them. They [players]are looking forward to the game.

“We’re training halfway down [to Exeter]so we’re ready and we’ve prepared well. I’m just looking forward to it, to exorcise the ghost of Saturday where we didn’t turn up first-half [against Crewe].

“When I get hurt, I come out fighting, and the lads know that. But we’re fighting together, and it’s brilliant.”

Exeter on the other hand won their game away from home against a weak Notts County side. After a very poor game from the Grecians which only saw the side have three shots the whole game and only recording one shot on target which was the decisive strike in the 93rd minute scored by Exeter midfielder Nicky Law.

The Devon based club has won three games, drawn one and lost two in last six league matches but, have been lifted heavily by back to back victories. Exeter manager Matty Taylor, wants his players to forget about their last-gasp winner against Notts County and fly into this weekend’s match with Mansfield Town.

“It gives us a bit more belief and a bit more confidence in terms of how we played and performed at Notts County, but we have got to quickly move on from that,” he said. “Football doesn’t wait for anyone and we know how important this weekend is.

“The lads have trained well this week. Perhaps they have had a slightly bigger spring in their step with the weather and off the back of that last-minute winner but Mansfield Town are a seriously good team. They are above us in the league and they are there for a reason. So we have got to fly into this weekend and give it everything we’ve got.”

The last time the two sides met was in September at the One Call Stadium. Exeter opened the scoring in the 31st minute the goal scored by defender Dean Moxey. Exeter made the score 2-0 through midfielder Nicky Law, and even though Mansfield tried to comeback through a goal four minutes later scored by on-form striker Tyler Walker the Stags were unable to pose any other real threats and Exeter won the game 2-1 taking all three points in the process.

Team News

Mansfield Town

Stags will be without long-term absentees Bobby Olejnik and Hayden White for the clash.

Forwards Craig Davies, Jordan Graham and Danny Rose will also be absent.

Exeter City

For the Grecians, Ryan Bowman is suspended and Luke Croll is a doubt for the fixture.