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Mansfield Town face Crewe Alexandra at the One Call Stadium for the second time in the space of a week. The Stags will be looking to build on their draw against league leaders Lincoln and will be wanting to get revenge on Crewe as this time last year the Cheshire club beat the Amber and Blues.
Crewe raced into a 4-1 lead inside 27 explosive minutes and, although Stags fought back to lose 4-3, it was a result that helped end play-off hopes.
However, a year on and sat in the top three boss David Flitcroft has a different feeling:
“We have completely different personnel from last season now. Our players were not fit – they were not up to the levels required for League Two football.
“It’s a different moment now. Crewe were good on the day and cut us open granted.
“But we have the best home record in the league this season and they are coming to our place.
“We will have a game plan but we won’t come off what we have been doing at home too much.
“We have to make sure we hurt Crewe when we get the opportunity with the quality we have in our team.”
The Alex boss David Artell acknowledged it will be a big game for both teams. Artell said:
“It was good to watch Mansfield live on Monday. Being able to watch the opposition gives you the opportunity to have a wider vision of what goes on. It is more beneficial than to just watching a TV screen.
“They are a good side and they got a good point against the league leaders, so we know it will be a tough game but if we play like we can and we can be as ruthless as we were last weekend then I know we will give a good account of ourselves.
“I’m sure David Flitcroft will know about us as well and how dangerous we can be. It is a big game for both clubs and we both want the three points, so it should be a good game.
“When you play well, well for an hour and score six goals then that is bound to give you a major boost. It all helps and we have to take that into this weekends game.”
Last time the teams faced each other in the league was back in October 2018. The Stags ran out 3-0 winners on the night, with goals coming from former loan midfielder Timi Elsnik and Tyler Walker.
Stags faced league leaders Lincoln City last time out, with the game ending 1-1 at One Call Stadium on Monday night. Krystian Pearce headed Mansfield into the lead in the first five minutes, but John Akinde levelled from the spot in the second-half.
Crewe recorded an emphatic 6-1 victory in their last match, despite opponents Crawley Town taking the lead early on from the penalty spot.
Team News
Mansfield will be without long-term absentees Bobby Olejnik and Hayden White for Saturday’s clash.
Forwards Danny Rose (jaw), Craig Davies (ankle) and Jordan Graham (knee) will also miss out.
For Crewe, George Ray will be sidelined due to suspension, having picked up his tenth booking of the season during the Railwaymen’s 0-0 draw away to Cambridge.
