Big guns in town to find chinks in Stags' armour

With four pre-season friendlies behind them, Mansfield Town are preparing to welcome the big guns to town as Bolton Wanderers and Hull City visit One Call Stadium this week.
Mansfield Town Manager Adam Murray.
Picture by Dan WestwellMansfield Town Manager Adam Murray.
Picture by Dan Westwell
Mansfield Town Manager Adam Murray. Picture by Dan Westwell

Phil Parkinson’s Bolton, preparing for their first season at League One level since 1993, are the visitors on Saturday (3pm) with Premier League new boys Hull – including ex-Stags star Sam Clucas, in town on Tuesday to provide the sternest tests of pre-season.

“The word test is what we’re looking for,” said manager Adam Murray.

“We want to be tested. We want to know where we are weak. We want to know what areas we need to improve on.

“Playing against teams like Bolton and Hull, they will definitely find those weaknesses out.

“I imagine we will come up against two teams who will try to play and will have their fair share of possession.

“At the same time they will let us play as well. So we are looking for dual things out of the games.”

He added: “One of the main things against these teams is you look for your organisation and shape, and I think last year when we played the home games here we got some real good ideas out the games and they were a really good work-out.

“We will be looking at a number of things, but it will be good to see those areas highlighted we need to improve.”

The fourth of those friendlies will take place tomorrow night (Wednesday, 7.30pm) against Matlock Town at Rossington Main FC in Doncaster.