Mansfield Preview plus news on loan deals
February 8, 2010 2 Comments
After Saturday’s disappointing result and performance against Tamworth, Stevenage have a quick opportunity to put things right when they entertain Mansfield Town at Broadhall Way tomorrow night. Again, it will not be an easy game. Mansfield are a tough side to beat and are in around the play-off places at the moment, although they did suffer a shock defeat at home to Gateshead at the weekend. The two sides met earlier in the season at Field Mill in a 5 goal thriller which Boro in the end won 3-2.
Stevenage will be without both Ronnie Henry and Darren Murphy tomorrow night. Henry is serving the first of his 3 match ban after his straight red card against Tamworth, while Murphy misses the only match of his suspension as his sending off was after 2 bookable offences. To be honest, I wouldn’t have started Murphy even if he was available. As I said on Saturday, his performance against Tamworth was well below par and he needs to improve a lot to get back into the team in my opinion. Once Roberts comes back into the defence then I can’t see Murphy playing with Bostwick moving back into midfield and Bridges and Long being available as well.
Mansfield have a pretty much full strength squad to choose from, although Andy Burgess is out as he is suspended. With Burgess out, it could mean a rare run out for Gary Mills. The former Boro midfielder was recently told by boss David Holdsworth that he is available to move out on loan. Mills has already been dropped as captain and has lost his place in the side since the arrival of Burgess, but he may be used tomorrow night against his old side. Another familiar face is also certain to be included. Michael Brough, who had 2 spells previously with Boro, will start for the Stags.
Mansfield’s recent form has been very inconsistent. They have won 3 and lost 3 from their last 6 games and are currently on a 2 match losing streak. Defeat to Gateshead was definately a bit of a disappointment, especially as the match attracted a bumper 7,261 crowd to Field Mill. Mansfield introduced a new scheme to try and boost the attendance with a ‘pay what you like’ initiative. It didn’t help the performance on the pitch though as Gateshead came away with the 3 points.
As for Boro, it is all about bouncing back. So far this season the team has done very well when they’ve been defeated. After their last defeat to Ebbsfleet, Boro went on an 8 match unbeaten run in all competitions. The same sort of run will be required again if Boro are to keep the pressure on Oxford United, who travel to Luton Town in a tricky encounter at Kenilworth Road. Stevenage need to get back on track and hope that Chris Wilder’s side can slip up. Saturday’s result against Tamworth was a good opportunity lost considering Oxford could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Kidderminster Harriers.
In other news, Boro have brought in a new player on trial. Justin Porter of Bridgwater Town has joined up with the Stevenage players as Graham Westley looks into the possibilty of adding the midfielder to the squad. Bridgwater manager Craig Laird, who is the father of Boro’s Scott, has allowed Porter to train with the Blue Square Premier side. Also with the loan window opening again in the next week, Boro look like favourites to beat Mansfield to the signing of Kevin Nicholson to the squad. Nicholson was left out of Torquay’s game with Hereford United at the weekend because of interest from other clubs and it is looking increasingly likely that he’ll follow Tim Sills to Broadhall Way until the end of the season.
