Mansfield Town go into tonight’s Carabao Cup game against Port Vale, as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. They are though still unbeaten across all competitions so far this season. It has been a hugely impressive start to the season, and Nigel Clough’s men will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals.
One player who has been instrumental in the campaign so far is Aden Flint. The 34-year-old defender has been through a lot in his career and is flourishing in his time with The Stags. His experience of past playoff success, and playing in the Championship, is coming in more than useful. He is also drawing on the lows of his career to push him, and his team forward.
Made Welcome
Talking to The Mirror, Flint told of his uncertain time in the summer, but eventually finding his perfect landing place. “Mansfield really made me feel wanted. That’s nice, especially at my age. I’m local to the area so I know what the club is about. There’s been interest before when I was in non-league, but it never really happened. I know the gaffer, too, and he was a big factor in me joining.”
As well as spending time with Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, it was at the end of last season when he helped Sheffield Wednesday gain promotion via the playoffs that helped put Flint back in the shop window. “Me dropping down is not a negative: I just wanted to play regular football at a team doing the right things. It depends on how much you want to play football.
“I think some people have got a bit of football snobbery where they don’t want to drop down because they think they’re better than that. But those people then might find themselves without clubs – that could have easily been me.”
A Carabao Cup last 1️⃣6️⃣ contest awaits…
🎟️ https://t.co/egriADRWtY#Stags 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/WZyBptl7P7
— (P) Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) October 31, 2023
Flint was part of a Bristol City team that went all the way to the semi-final of the League Cup in 2017/18 season, beating Manchester United on the way, before losing out to the blue half of that City over two legs. This though is a great chance for the club to enhance their reputation.
“For me, the Man United win and the Man City games over two legs are probably the best games I’ve ever been involved in, but the run to get there was unreal. We beat Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace, too.
“We’ve got an equally tough match against Port Vale, but it is a great incentive, to get that quarter-final tie and hopefully a big draw. We see it as just another game at this point but we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can get through and get a good draw.”
Writer’s View
Aden Flint is one of many players that over the years have found a new lease of life in the lower divisions. Earlier this year Troy Deeney, now at Forest Green Rovers, also spoke of the way players often see a drop down the leagues as being beneath them. If veteran players can see beyond that then there are huge benefits to be had.
Mansfield is on the brink of a huge season if they can maintain the form they are showing at present. It would be easy to get carried away, but that is where the veteran leadership of players like Flint comes into play.
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