Mansfield Town look to continue their great form with game against rivals Grimsby Town

In Ian Holloway’s first game in charge for Grimsby Town he faces a huge battle against rivals Mansfield Town.

Graham Coughlan picked up his first win as Mansfield boss on New Year’s Day as he watched his side record a 3-2 win away at Cambridge.

Stags trailed twice in the contest, but a hat-trick from frontman Nicky Maynard secured an impressive win on the road.

Grimsby also recorded victory on the first day of 2020, with new manager Ian Holloway watching on as the Mariners beat Salford 1-0 at home.

Team news

Wing-back Kellan Gordon will miss the game as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

Midfielder Conor Shaughnessy, who has a hamstring problem, will also miss the game.

Defender Ryan Sweeney and midfielder Willem Tomlinson will continue to be assessed.

Stags’ boss Graham Coughlan has called on his players to build momentum from this afternoon’s thrilling 3-2 victory away at Cambridge United.

“It’s a good feeling,” he told iFollow Stags. “It [win]was coming over the last four games and it culminated today. Today we were very good and thoroughly deserved to win.

“Now it’s about consistency. We won today because we were the better team and we have to build on it.

“The honesty, hard work and commitment was there for all to see. I’ve challenged them now to put another win on the table on Saturday against Grimsby.

“It was a very fiery, feisty game today and we got stuck in. I think both sides enjoyed it – it was honest, hard and tough.

“We had words at half-time and we came out on the front foot and got after people. It’s about making these players realise their potential and what they can achieve.”

Grimsby Town manager Ian Holloway expects smiles on his players’ faces in his first game in charge against Mansfield Town

“I don’t need to change much because I’m really pleased with them. I liked what I saw on New Year’s Day – I want to keep the thing going if I can.

“It’s just a privilege to be here, and I’m delighted to work with the players I’ve got and I’ve got to get to know them.

“I like my own players, I like working with my own squad, and I like looking at our academy setup and giving young lads a chance.

“I was delighted for Ahkeem Rose to get his goal on New Year’s Day – he gave everybody a lift when he came on.”

Head-to-head

Last time the teams met at Blundell Park in October 2019, a game that ended 1-0 to the Stags following a Krystian Pearce winner deep into stoppage time.