‘IT’S HARD TO SEE MANSFIELD FALTERING AT THE LAST HURDLE’
PORT Vale meet Mansfield for the third – and most important – time this season when the teams meet at Wembley tomorrow (4pm) for the League Two play-off final. We’re grateful to JOHN LOMAS, sports editor of the Mansfield Chad, for this insight into the Stags...
WHAT’S CHANGED FOR MANSFIELD THIS SEASON, FROM BEING IN THE BOTTOM TWO IN OCTOBER TO MAKING THE PLAY-OFFS?
Mansfield’s success from being joint bottom in October has come down to having a top-class manager at this level coupled with a chairman and chief executive who did not panic and sack him when others might have. Everyone believed Nigel Clough when he said he had assembled a capable squad and early results suggested that was true.
But suddenly a string of injuries and suspensions mounted into a full on crisis with 11 players out at one stage and another occasion when the club had six or seven centre-halves at all ages out.
A 14-game run without a win ensued. But the club and the fans stuck behind Clough when he said
‘watch us go when we have everyone back’.
And he was right.
A 2-0 home victory over Tranmere at the end of October stopped the rot and they then went on an incredible run of success that saw them break the club’s league records for successive wins (eight) and successive home wins (11) as they went 14 unbeaten.
They also won 14 and drew one of their last 16 home games – quite incredible.
HOW IS MANSFIELD LAD DARRELL CLARKE REGARDED BY FANS?
Clarke came through the club’s youth system and emerged into a classy midfield player.
He continues to be highly regarded by everyone at Mansfield Town and is likely to get a very warm reception on Saturday.
AND HOW ABOUT FORMER MANSFIELD PLAYERS MAL BENNING, HARRY CHARSLEY AND AIDAN STONE WHO COULD ALL BE IN THE VALE LINE-UP?
There is no animosity from Stags to Stone and Charsley and both remain friends with many of the current squad. But both only played bit parts in their time at the club.
However, Benning is a true club legend.
He was both long serving, high quality, the scorer of some spectacular goals, and will always be lauded for scoring the winner away to hated local rivals Chesterfield after which he was nicknamed ‘Sir Mal’ by the fans. He will get a great reception.
WHAT FORMATION HAS THE TEAM TENDED TO PLAY UNDER NIGEL CLOUGH AND CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR BEST GUESS AT THE LINE-UP?
Clough chops and changes to suit the task ahead. He has gone with diamonds, back fours and wing-backs. Stags will want to start on the front foot and attack and take the game to Vale. But it’s a big pitch and with nerves also affecting players’ energy levels, I fancy he may go with a back four rather than wingbacks.
That may see right-back Elliott Hewitt demoted to the bench, but ready to come on if things are not going well with a four. Several players get utilised into very different roles so it is really hard to predict.
But I will go Nathan Bishop in goal, back four from the right, James Perch, John-joe O’toole, Oli Hawkins, Stephen Mclaughlin. George Maris deeper in midfield centrally with Lucas Akins on the right, Stephen Quinn on the left and Matty Longstaff just behind Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery. But Bowery and Akins have played everywhere from up front to fullback, O’toole played in midfield for first time in ages last game and the lanky Hawkins was brought in as a striker where he was doing well before they had the centreback crisis.
Quinn, Oates and Akins have slight knocks, but nothing that would stop them playing a Wembley final. The bench is the strongest the club has had for many years.
WHO ARE THE DANGERMEN THAT COULD HURT VALE AT WEMBLEY?
Top scorer Rhys Oates has phenomenal pace and, on the big spaces of Wembley, if he gets the ball and runs at them, Vale will be in serious trouble.
Player of the season Mclaughlin, inset, and Ireland international Quinn have torn teams to shreds all season with their passing combinations down the left and the experience of Perch and O’toole and the height Hawkins at the back make it hard to get past them to test the excellent young Man United loanee keeper Bishop.
AND FINALLY, CAN WE TEMPT YOU INTO A PREDICTION?
Vale battled hard and looked good over their two semi-final legs. And they are a side Stags have failed to beat over the regular season which will boost Vale hopes.
But Mansfield go into this with huge momentum, winning both semi-final legs against a very competent Northampton and have several experienced pros who have been here before.
It’s really hard to see Clough’s men faltering at the last hurdle and I will go for 2-0 to Mansfield.
Clough said ‘watch us go when everyone is back fit’. He’s been proved right...