Stagoraphobia

Updated:

By Pete H

Into the Bank Holiday weekend we go with only a point to our name. But what’ll we come out of it with? Well, let’s be honest – chances are it’ll be nothing more than we’ve already got. At least it won’t be anything less. Football can be a cruel mistress and it’s having a right laugh at us this week. Just think – you’ve been brave with your weekly sport betting choice and lumped on Tom Soares to net first. And he does. At the wrong end. Mr Toad!

Still, can’t all be bad. Let’s see where we’re off to next. Oh, for fu… – it’s Mansfield away.

 

Mansfield Town v Stevenage: The Preview…

Who are Mansfield Town?

It’s not even four months since we were last at the One Call Stadium. And what a superb day that turned out to be; limbs o’clock in the away end thanks to Ilias Chair‘s late winner. Since coming up to the League, we’ve actually beaten them more times at their gaff than indoors. And ain’t that something to hold dear to you when you’re willing the ball to get in the back of the effin’ net. It’s worth noting, too, that one of us normally wins these battles.

Our Record vs Mansfield Town: P 14 — W 6 — D 1 — L 7 — F 20 — A 20 — Pts 19
Last time out: Mansfield Town 1-2 Stevenage, 27 April 2019

What’s their current form?

Four matches in and the Stags have scored twice in each of them. Two have ended up all square, with one win and one defeat leaving us with a rather beautiful symmetric record to date. Last time out, the Stags went down to a 3-2 home defeat to Leyton Orient. If we can keep ’em out for an hour, their current form shows they’re less likely to find the net. But we can hardly gloat. It’s now more than 400 minutes since we’ve scored a League Two goal.

Or 109 days if you’re using a proper calendar.

Got a fun Mansfield Town fact?

It might be known as the One Call Stadium for now, but Field Mill is the “real” name of the Stags’ home. That’s not the fact, however. You knew that. What you might not know is the venue is the oldest ground in the Football League; opening its gates in 1861. In fact, only Hallam FC’s Sandygate Road ground in Sheffield is older. The more you know…

How do we get to Mansfield Town?

Mansfield is smack bang in the middle of the barren landscape that exists between the A1 and M1. So, you can use either to get there. See our Mansfield Town club profile for more.

Will you still love me tomorrow?

If you keep showing us a bit of love in return, we don’t see why not.

What are the bookies saying?

Way, wa-a-ay out there beyond the edge of the known world is the price you can get on a Boro’ win at the bookies. We’ve seen 15/4 quoted with some folk, which will be a nice little earner if it comes in. The beers will be on you, that’s for sure. The hosts are odds on for a three-point haul no matter where you look; 83/100 being as good as it gets for your return from our scouting mission. Kurtis Guthrie a cheeky shout at 3s for anytime goalscorer?

Who is Mansfield Town’s danger mouse?

Five goals in five games make this one a no-brainer. The man we need to most look out for is the second-best Danny Rose in English football. It sounds subjective, but the other Danny Rose is playing in the Premier League. So, y’know…

Who is reffing this?

Marc Edwards. Here’s another newbie on the League scene; Edwards promoted during the summer after dishing out the cards in the Conference last term. It’s our first meeting.

Our Record: P 0 — W 0 — D 0 — L 0 — F 0 — A 0

And finally, what do you reckon?

Mansfield ain’t a place we like going at the best of times, to be totes fair like. Our current injury list, the form of their lad Danny Rose and our goal shyness is an unholy trinity that puts us in a pickle. You can never say never in football, but you’re not far off with this one.

Mansfield Town v Stevenage prediction: 2-0 – every Rose has its thorn in the side of defenders…