Stags midfielder McGuire eager to start in derby

McGuire and the rest of the players are on tenterhooks until the team sheet goes up and he said: “Nothing’s been said yet, so we’ve just got to see what the gaffer’s game plan is.

“I am looking forward to training today and we will see what the gaffer comes up with.

“I am sure he has his game plan and team ready to go with what he wants.

“Whenever the gaffer picks me I’ve just got to do a job, it’s as simple as that. When I go in I think I do my job the best I can do. I rally the troops, get the lads going and I love playing.

“Everyone has done really well, so it’s a big decision for the gaffer. That’s why he’s the boss. That’s why he runs the club.

“Let him choose the team. Whoever is in the team and whoever is on the bench, everyone backs each other.

“You have to find a balance. For me, I am up for the game but I have to be a calm influence with me being a senior pro.

“I am sure the dressing room will be rocking on Saturday and ready to go.”

Murray calls on fans to unite and help Stags kickstart home form in derby HERE

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Stags won’t rule out returning pair for Notts derby HERE

Even when only on the bench, McGuire is always the most animated person and said: “I love it. I can’t help it.

“I just love getting the lads going and it’s the kind of character I am. I want the lads to win and I encourage them. I try to push them on in the games.”

McGuire loves the derby games, saying: “They are big games and good for the fans. Fans love it, we are only 40 minutes away from each other.

“We had a lot of success last year, winning twice. It’s massive and all that matters for us is three points.

“I am in my fourth year here now and pushing on. I think I am only one behind Chris Clements, who is the longest serving. I live up here and I know what the town is about.

“I go for a coffee in town, I do a bit of shopping in town, so you stop by people and they are all looking forward to the game. We all are and hopefully we can get a good atmosphere in the ground on Saturday.”

McGuire knows Notts are a far better side then when Stags thrashed them 5-0 in April, saying: “They are completely different now. John Sheridan is a good manager and he’s got them flying at the moment.

“But I’m not too worried about Notts County. Let’s worry about Mansfield Town. It’s all about us on Saturday.

“We go into it with our main objective a massive three points.

“Let’s get the fans in, that atmosphere going, and make it a day to remember.”

Stags have not won or scored in four home matches and he added: “We’re not going to hide from it. I think we’ve played well at home to be honest and created a lot of chance, but we just haven’t put them away.

“The two solid away trips we’ve just done at Accrington and Crewe, we’ve done really well and I thought should have won those games as well.

“We are where we are. We can’t do anything about it. We need to kick on. But we are in a nice place now in that if we can get a good win on Saturday we can start getting some more results. Let’s kickstart our home form on Saturday in a big derby.

“We want the fans to be our 12th man and back us. You want them to kick every kick and head every ball. When this ground is booming we know what it’s about don’t we?

“We need a front foot performance from all the boys. We need to get at them and get in their faces, as they say, as it’s a derby.”