Mansfield Town look to get back to winning ways against Plymouth Argyle

Mansfield Town host Plymouth Argyle at the One Call Stadium with the Stags looking to propel themselves up the league table.

The Stags, placed 19th, entertain 14th placed Plymouth Argyle with both teams needing a win to kickstart their Sky Bet League One campaign. Last time out Plymouth lost 2-0 at home to Cheltenham; the Stags stole a  respectable point at Port Vale following Nathan Smith’s goal in the 94th-minute.

Team news

Goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik is set to be available for the first time since obtaining an ACL injury last December.

Striker Nicky Maynard could be involved having returned to training this week. The 32-year-old, who has scored twice so far this season, has missed the Stags’ last three matches due to a hamstring injury.

However, the game will come too soon for forwards Craig Davies (ankle) and Jordan Graham (knee).

Defender Matt Preston will also play no part as he serves the second of a four-match suspension following his sending off against Cambridge United.

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Stags’ boss John Dempster has reflected on his first ten league games as manager of Mansfield Town, saying that he has ‘learned to no end’ and has ‘never been more motivated’ to achieve success with the amber and blue.

“To say that I’ve learned a lot and experienced a lot [in the first ten games]would be an understatement,” he began.

“As a landmark of ten games, I feel like I’ve been through a lot. I’ve learned to no end from the experiences I’ve had and the mistakes I’ve made and I’ve never been more motivated and more confident that we’ve turned a corner.

“I’ve played in successful teams and over the course of the season there are ups and downs. What you have to do is remain strong and positive. If you can ride out the bad times and embrace the good times, that’s what successful teams do.”

Argyle manager Ryan Lowe was keen to praise the generosity of club owner Simon Hallett, who has this week written off pre-existing loans to effectively leave the club debt-free.

“When I met the chairman and he talked to me about the vision for the club, it was a no brainer,” said Lowe, recalling his first meeting with Argyle’s owner. “He ploughs £5m in for a new stand, takes the club debt-free, owns 97% of the club. That’s phenomenal.

“That’s one of the reasons I came here,” said Ryan. “With the situation that happened at Bury, I found myself in a situation I didn’t think I’d ever be in. One of my questions when I came to the interview was ‘how stable is the football club?’”

Head-to-head

In the last five games between the two clubs it does not look good for Mansfield with Argyle being victorious in four out of the five fixtures and one fixture back in September 2015 ending in a 0-0 draw.