Video: Jon Stead on what he expects from Mansfield and overcoming last year’s defeats
Mansfield Town host Notts County at the One Call Stadium on Saturday (October 7) in the first part of this season’s Nottinghamshire derby.
The Sky Bet League 2 clash kicks off at 12.15pm and both teams will be looking to secure bragging rights and kick on in their quests for promotion.
Notts County come into the game on the back of three straight league wins and currently sit seventh in the table just three points off of second spot with a game in hand on all of the teams above them.
The Magpies have the League 2 September player of the month Jon Stead in the squad who will be hoping to score against the Stags and extend his goal scoring form after netting five in the last three league games.
We have to be full on
Stead said: “Mansfield have been fantastic; you can see in the couple of games that we played against them last season in the league that they’re up for every game.
“They work hard, they’re organised and they will be tough so we have to be bang at it and have to go in with the right game plan.
“When we’ve been half-hearted at any point we’ve been punished this year so we have to be full on throughout and I think if we do that, we’ll get a good result.”
Video: Sheridan on derby games and getting the results
Magpies manager John Sheridan thinks that results count much more than good performances in derby games.
He said: “I used to love games like this and I would much rather be playing in it than managing!
“There will be a great atmosphere and we will take a big following; the lads are looking forward to the game too.
“With it being Mansfield of course there’s going to be a bit more of an edge to it but we know what’s going to be thrown at us and we’ll prepare for it.”
Video: Adam Murray on Notts County and wanting to win at home
Mansfield Town sit 14th in the league table but are just three points adrift of Notts.
The Stags come into the game having won their previous match in the Checkatrade Trophy 1-0 away to League 1 Port Vale, with Matt Green coming off the bench to net the winner in the 66th minute.
Manager Adam Murray has been pleased with recent performances and feels the impact of derby days.
I feel every moment of the derby games
He said: “Local derbies are fantastic and for the players especially, they’re huge.
“I myself have now been with this club a long time and I really feel it, I feel every moment of the build up, every moment of the game, every feeling the fans will go through on Saturday; I’ll go through it with them.
“We’ve got confidence coming back into the group with some recent good performances.”
Mansfield players Jack Thomas and Kyle Howkins returned to training this week and could be fit enough to feature for the Stags.
Alex Iacovitti will not take a part in the clash as he is away on international duty with the Scotland U21 team.
Notts will check on the fitness of Michael O’Connor and Adam Collin.
Curtis Thompson is still coming back from an ankle injury but is expected to be fit towards the end of the month.
The lunchtime match is expected to be cloudy for the duration with temperatures reaching 13 degrees Celsius.
Mansfield v Notts County past fixtures
Matches: 47
Mansfield wins: 16
Notts County wins: 18
Draws: 13
Notts County edge ahead in the head to head encounters but the Magpies will be looking to avenge the last encounter between the two sides.
At the One Call Stadium on April 16, the Stags beat Notts 5-0 to record their biggest ever Nottinghamshire derby win.
A brace from Matt Green and goals from Adam Chapman, Reggie Lambe and Mitchell Rose completed the double last season over the Magpies.
Mansfield won 2-0 at Meadow Lane on August 14 2015 courtesy of goals from Chris Clements and Ryan Tafazolli.
Notts managed to avenge that defeat a month later by beating the Stags 3-1 at Meadow Lane in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Izale McLeod, Mike Edwards and Jon Stead scored the goals for Notts with Craig Westcarr scoring a late penalty for Mansfield.
