Stags’ supporters can play a huge part in helping our side in Saturday’s crunch clash with arch-rivals Chesterfield, according to manager Paul Cox.
Our team go into the match looking to complete a league ‘double’ against the Spireites, following our magnificent 1-0 victory at the Proact Stadium earlier this season.
“When I first came to this football club I said the fans could play a massive part in how successful this club is,” said Cox.
“We’re at the start of another journey where there are a lot of clubs at this level who’ve been on that same journey for quite a number of years.
“It’s never been a ‘quick fix’ scenario; it’s always been a long-term goal, and our goal for this year is to consolidate in this league and plan again for next year and see how we can move on.
“We’ve laid some really strong foundations at this club over the last two-and-a-half years and we’ve had some great success, which we want to use as a base to progress from.”
On the match itself, Cox continued: “It’s a football match that we want to win because there is local pride [at stake]. We know the supporters feel passionately about [the rivalry] and so do the players and all of the staff.
“It’s always fine lines in derbies and they’re usually tight-knit affairs. It’s going to be who plays well on the day and handles the atmosphere, and [which team] takes their chances.
“We’ve been creating a decent amount of chances and you know that with the quality Chesterfield have in their squad, they’re going to create chances, so I think it’ll be fine lines.”
“Both clubs need the points for different reasons, so it’s got all the makings of being a very good game.
Our boss doesn’t believe the Spireites will be distracted by their upcoming Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final against Peterborough United, which takes place later this month.
He added: “I think Chesterfield will be looking at trying to win a Championship. That’ll be their main goal this season, so I don’t see any reasons why they should take their foot off the pedal, or change or rotate their squad.”
Tickets are still available for Saturday's match, which starts at the slightly earlier than usual time of 1.00pm. For more information, click here.
