Stags' boss Steve Evans is looking forward to a 'big seven days' which consists of games against three sides who he thinks will be in the top eight of Sky Bet League Two come the end of the season.
We entertain Grimsby Town on Saturday (1.00pm kick-off) and Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday (7.45pm) in back-to-back home games before travelling to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln City on Saturday 16 September (1.00pm kick-off).
And the manager believes it will be a challenging seven days for his squad, starting with the visit of the Mariners on Saturday.
"It's a big seven days for us. Two derbies and sandwiched in between will be Gareth Ainsworth's team, so it's a real tough seven days," the gaffer said.
"It won't be about what Grimsby do that decides where this game goes. It will be about what we do. What are we expecting? A typical Russell Slade team.
"They'll be very organised, they'll be disciplined and they'll be strong on the back end of a good result last week.
"They'll be one of the teams that I'd expect certainly to be in the top eight; that could be first, it could be eighth.
"Our next seven days is against three teams who, in my opinion, will be in the top eight."
The former Leeds United boss has selection decisions to make after being impressed by some of the performances in the mid-week Central League match against Rotherham United, including that of captain Zander Diamond, who completed 90 minutes on his return from a groin injury.
"Paul (Raynor) watched the reserve game, so I've got a good report from that and I watched the footage from that last night of that reserve game, so I've got an idea of where people are.
"Our next seven days is against three teams who, in my opinion, will be in the top eight."
"We just want to make sure that we, as a management team, affect the right decisions for the team against Grimsby on Saturday.
"I watched the game – I was told he (Diamond) was excellent by Paul and he was excellent. We want our captain in the group.
"When our captain's not in the group, it just takes something away from us, but if he trains properly today and tomorrow, he'll be back in contention for Saturday."
The gaffer hopes to reward supporters for their loyal backing with a victory against the Mariners on Saturday, which kicks off at the earlier time of 1.00pm.
"The people I want in full voice are the Stags' fans. I want us to reward them on Saturday with a real good performance and I said this before Forest Green and I want it repeated: I want to send them home on Saturday early evening with a real good feeling about their weekend.
"My only message to the Stags' supporters today is: performances do not lie. Performances deliver results and promotions.
"Over a season, you're never unlucky because your performances are not good enough. Our performances have not got the results they deserve. Continue the performances and the results will get delivered."
Supporters will be able to login to iFollow Stags to watch the manager's full news conference later this afternoon.
