Mansfield Town aiming to end Chesterfield’s 100 per cent home record

Mansfield Town will be battling 100 per cent to give their fans the bragging rights against bitter rivals Chesterfield on Saturday.
Players mob goalscorer Sam Clucas after he equalizes for Mansfield Town  -Pic by:Richard ParkesPlayers mob goalscorer Sam Clucas after he equalizes for Mansfield Town  -Pic by:Richard Parkes
Players mob goalscorer Sam Clucas after he equalizes for Mansfield Town -Pic by:Richard Parkes

That is the promise of Stags boss Paul Cox as he prepares his on-form side to face their fierce rivals for the first time since Chesterfield dumped Stags out of the FA Cup in November 2008.

Fifth-placed Mansfield are currently on the wave of a seven game unbeaten streak but know they will face one of the toughest games of the season against the big spending league leaders.

Chesterfield currently sit top of the League Two table and boast a 100 per cent record at home and the league’s only unbeaten record.

“The bragging rights are there and we know what this game means for the fans,” said Cox.

“We have got be professional about this and treat it like any other game. It is a great game to get our teeth into, these are the games that we come into football for.

“We have got to treat it as three points and, as a manager, I have got to look at this professionally. We will be working extremely hard and will give it our all on Saturday.

“The players are very excited about this game. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic and the players are going to be pumped up.

“Games like this are about making sure the players are relaxed, that they are focused and that they look at this game as a 90 minute game.”

But Cox knows that. even if Stags taste defeat for the first time since the opening day loss at Scunthorpe. This club is making excellent progress.

“I think we have come a long way very quickly, we are still learning and developing,” said Cox.

“It is important the players do not get carried away and continue to do what they are doing.

“I have got to make sure that my heart does not rule my head and that we look at the whole game as a bigger picture.

“Chesterfield have got a good group of players to choose from. They have made an impressive start to the season, but we have been learning quickly and improving all the time, this is going to be a very tight game.

“My players are giving me and the club everything they have and that is all I can ask for.

“It was all about believing in ourselves, once we got over that first hurdle and started to believe in ourselves we have been ok.

“We are a real tight-knit group and we will continue to work hard for each other. As long as we keep progressing I will be happy.

“I hope that this game doesn’t fizzle out, that it is played in the right spirit and is a great spectacle for both sets of fans.”

Mansfield, who will be roared on by nearly 2,000 fans, will be without injured midfielder Chris Clements and the suspended Martin Riley.

Striker Ben Hutchinson, who was subbed after picking up a tight hamstring against Northampton, is expected to be available.