Stags' boss David Flitcroft has said that he has never felt so passionate about a job in 30 years of football than he does about his position as manager of Mansfield Town.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's massive derby game against Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium, he explained how eager he is to get his first win as Stags' boss, and added his belief that when it comes, his side will go on a successful run.
“After the Easter period I was desperate to come back to our place and get the win for the supporters against Crewe. How it unfolded probably disappointed me more in football more than I have been in football for a long time,” he said.
“Now we have to go there [on Saturday] with a bounce and go there committed to getting three points. We have to get back on track and start winning games for them [the Stags’ supporters].
“I’m bitterly disappointed for the supporters that I’ve not been able to give them that win, but I do feel when it does come we’ll go on a march.
“I’ve never been so passionate about a job in the 30 years I’ve been involved in football.”
“We’ll certainly design success at this football club and when it happens it’ll be consistent and sustainable.
“I’ve never been so passionate about a job in the 30 years I’ve been involved in football.”
Aside from bragging rights, both sides have plenty to play for, with Stags hoping to reignite their push for a playoff spot, and Chesterfield sitting rock bottom of the table in a relegation fight.
The Stags' manager said that the game will come down to the level of desire from both sides to win three points, but called for composure ahead of the big match.
“I think it’s massive for both clubs, massive for both managers. They’re fighting for their lives to stay in the league and they’ve been heavily involved in a relegation fight for most of the season, and it’s draining,” he said.
“But we have to concentrate on our objectives for this season and us getting into the playoff places.
“We got the point down at Stevenage and the fight-back and the spirit from going down 1-0. I saw a group of players prepared to fight down at a tough place.
“We have to get the work done on the training ground and make sure we’re absolutely prepared and ready for what is a fantastic fixture on Saturday.
“It can’t be underestimated how big a win would be to both football clubs.
“Chesterfield have to go for it, and they need three points. But we need three points – we’re running out of games and we are desperate for the three points.
“Really it will be who wants the three points more and emotion will kick in, but it has to be controlled. It’s got to be considered and controlled. You don’t want players sent off or on that knife-edge on ridiculous yellows.
“We’ll be in control of what we do and there’ll be a controlled aggression in our performance. It’s important that the players don’t let the occasion get to them.
“You build these games up and rightly so, and when you walk out you have to feel the adrenaline from the supporters. But then when you go out there has to be a calmness, there has to be the ambition to go and win a game but in key moments there has to be composure.
“These big games are won and lost in big moments. We have to make sure we come out on top of those.
“We have four opportunities now to go and cement our playoff place. I believe it is in our destiny even though we’re still chasing that spot, as you’ll find those unpredictable results up and down the table and that’s something that League Two has always done.”
The Stags' boss also commented on his eagerness to get in front of the sellout away crowd at the Proact Stadium, and recalled the passion he saw from the fans who travelled down for the dramatic 1-1 draw at Notts County last month.
“I’ve seen the vigour and enthusiasm from our supporters when they came to Notts County. The support and passion that I saw down there, the players responded to that. I’m expecting us to really respond to it on Saturday.
“Just seeing us take 4,000 strong to Notts County and seeing the celebrations after and what it means to the supporters to compete in those games, I understand that.
“But this one is different, this rivalry is incredible. I’m really looking forward to getting over there and competing against them [Chesterfield].”
The Mansfield Town manager also provided an injury update for Ricky Miller, who picked up a hamstring problem in last week's clash against Crewe Alexandra.
“Ricky Miller’s injury is one that the adrenaline took him through. It’s hit us because he deserved to start against Stevenage,” he added.
“He was desperate to play and I felt for him. There isn’t a timeline on it but a hamstring injury usually lasts four to six weeks. We might get him back sooner.
“He’s had a scan and we’re being told four weeks. We had similar intel on Alfie Potter when he was injured and he made a quick return, so you have to hope he has healing capabilities.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch David Flitcroft's answers in full by logging into www.mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
