After seeing their massive 19-game unbeaten run come to an end in one Cup competition, Mansfield Town will look to bounce back and start another one going, in a different Cup.
This Saturday evening, Nigel Clough’s Stags take on Wrexham in the FA Cup, a game that will be televised live. After a first defeat of the season, the chance to get back into winning ways has come around quick enough but given the opposition, it will be far from an easy game.
The One Call Stadium will again be rocking under the lights, and in front of the television cameras, Clough will hope his men don’t freeze. The Reds have already visited before, and the game was a goalless stalemate, and since then they have gone a run themselves that has seen them move into the top three, ahead of their Saturday evening hosts.
Big Cup Tie Atmosphere
Speaking ahead of the tie, and reported in the local press, Clough was looking forward to what should be an exciting Cup tie, “I am expecting a good game between two of the top sides in League Two. Wrexham will be rested after the full seven days or whatever and I am sure they will have loved the endeavour we put in on Tuesday night.
“For us, it would be nice to not lose back-to-back games, so we will give it a good go and get ready for it. I hope the magnitude of the game on Saturday night will lift the players after Tuesday. It’s what the FA Cup can bring if you can get through a couple of rounds and we’d like to stay in it if we can.
“It is one of those occasions where you wish you had drawn someone about four leagues below you at home. It would be a slightly easier draw than one of the best teams, but it is what it is. We are out of one cup, let’s not go out of both. We still have the EFL Trophy too on Tuesday, but the league still remains our priority.”
Another night under the lights at One Call Stadium. 🔜
🎟️ https://t.co/egriADRWtY#Stags 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/WF8LkdC5Zp
— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) November 2, 2023
Having lost out to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, the Stags go into this game having welcomed back two players that will no doubt help their cause this weekend, and they will make up for the loss of another still ruled out.
“When you lose someone of Lucas Akins’ influence and ability from the team it is very important we have Rhys Oates coming back. Thirty minutes was about as much as he could do on Tuesday night. But we were delighted to get him back involved and you could see the threat he poses as soon as he on.
“Stephen McLaughlin is just working his way back too and it’s next Tuesday against Everton U21 in the EFL Trophy when they will start. But it’s great having them back involved. Now we want another cup run if we can. It is difficult to challenge on all fronts as we have been doing for the last 19 games in all competitions – and we are incredibly proud of that.
“It was a great atmosphere under the lights against Port Vale and our crowd really got behind us second half. We are going to need that again Saturday night.”
Writer’s View
It is always good to get a loss out of your system as quickly as possible. This FA Cup tie has the feel of an important League game and could give a psychological advantage down the line. It is though, a one-off, an occasion, a chance to shine in the spotlight – literally. Having lost out on a place in the last eight of the League Cup, Mansfield will want to progress in this competition and see how far they can go.
Clough has another chance to show his credentials as a top boss, and with Wrexham starting to look like the team that most thought they would be, it is an opportunity to prove himself, and his team, that they belong in the mix. Can they be in the hat for the second-round draw? It won’t be for the lack of preparation.