This weekend's huge derby game against Chesterfield will come down to 'who wants it more,' said top scorer Danny Rose today, as Stags look to reignite their play-off hopes and the Spireites attempt to save themselves from relegation.
The Stags’ top scorer - with 17 goals - recently returned from an ankle injury picked up in the 2-0 loss to Forest Green, starting in Tuesday night’s 1-1 away draw to Stevenage.
Rose says that the team feel confident heading into Saturday’s game, but that they also know that Chesterfield will be 'fighting for their lives.'
“Everyone is [looking forward to it], it’s massive for everyone involved in Mansfield and it’s massive for the fans who want us to go there and pick up maximum points,” he said,
“With the position we’re in the league table, we’re playing catch-up and we have to go there and pick up maximum points now.
“We’ve been scoring goals, we just need to keep it tight at the back like we did against Stevenage. We need to put it all together now against Chesterfield who are struggling.
“The players know how big it is. This is the big one for the fans, we saw how big the Notts County one was but I think this one is a lot bigger.
“Chesterfield are fighting for their lives and we’re fighting for a play-off spot so it’s a massive game for both teams.
“I think the deciding factor will be just who wants it more to be honest with you. Like I said, there's a lot at stake.”
The striker added that it does not matter who the hero is on the big day, as long as the Stags pick up a positive result in what is the biggest game of the season so far.
Rose also spoke of the relationship he shares on the pitch with forward Kane Hemmings, who has netted twice in his last three appearances.
“I think to myself it doesn’t matter who gets on the scoresheet as long as the ball goes in the back of the net and we pick up three points. That’s the most important thing.
"The players know how big it is. This is the big one for the fans, we saw how big the Notts County one was but I think this one is a lot bigger."
“Kane [Hemmings] has been terrific in the past few weeks and all season really, he’s playing with a lot of confidence now. I think we complement each other very well and it’s been like that for most of the season.
“We have to take it one game at a time, we have a massive game on Saturday and we’ll prepare right for it.
“I set myself a target to get up there [as top scorer]. I will be disappointed if I don’t reach 20 goals but like I said, it doesn’t matter who gets on the scoresheet at the business end of the season.”
Rose also spoke of the outstanding support the team receives from the Stags’ fans, as he prepares to play in front of a sell-out away section at the Proact Stadium on Saturday.
“We want to win every game but we’ll go there this weekend full of confidence now. We’ll be fully prepared for this Saturday,” he added.
“They [the fans] have been brilliant all season and they’re a massive part of what we’ve been doing.
“Stevenage on a Tuesday night is not the best place to go but they came in their numbers and I’m sure they will do against Chesterfield.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can view Danny Rose’s answers in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
