Stags boss Adam Murray hoping cut-price ticket deal will help fill the One Call for Exeter visit

Murray could have as many as six home debutants in for the crunch game as Stags try to ease themselves away from the relegation battle and hopes the moves he has made in the January transfer window will stir plenty of local interest to turn out and see them in action.

“Everything we have tried to do has been positive,” he said. “I think people have seen an upturn in our performances and a change in the way we go about things.

“Now we need to put points on the board. Like at any football club, that will bring people through the door.

“This £7 offer is a chance to come and see the new lads and have a look at us. It is up to us to do the rest.

“I know we have to go through a period of time to get people gelling, on the same page, and understand how we want to play. We have had a really productive week. The lads have worked hard and been tested.”

He added: “I didn’t come into this job thinking we’d be sat in the play-offs and everything would be hunky-dory. From the first minute we took hold of the ship, it’s been a challenge – and that’s not changed. We are in a battle.

“Now it’s about executing our game plans and keeping performance levels high. Everything is positive and I won’t let anyone in the camp look anywhere but forwards.”

The latest arrival, likely to make his debut, is Fleetwood’s former York winger Matty Blair, who signed on Tuesday after fellow winger Rob Taylor was sold to Tranmere.

“Matty was our first choice and we moved quickly to make sure that deal got done,” said Murray.

“You always keep an eye on good players and when they are not playing you like to show your interest in them.

“He is lightning quick – he catches pigeons. He has got a brain, he likes to play football, he is clever and he can score goals and assist. All-round he is a good signing for us. He now needs to play to the level he is capable of and show everyone how good he is.”

Murray added: “I am fortunate enough to still be young enough to have played against most of these players, which is a bonus when you are trying to sign a player.

“I know how difficult they are to play against personally. It gives you that bit of an edge. I want players who fit into our philosophy and can affect it.”

It looks unlikely defender Ryan Tafazolli will be involved on Saturday after being laid up ill all week, Murray denying rumours the former Southampton youngster was about to leave the club.

“There hasn’t been any interest as far as I know,” he said.

“Speculation will always occur. But he told me on Saturday that he had been up all night ill so we left him out and I’ve not seen him all week.”

In a bid to boost fitness for those needing it, a Stags side drew 3-3 in a midweek behind-closed-doors friendly with Notts County, Danny Fletcher, Matt Rhead and Fergus Bell on target on a poor surface.