After a transfer deadline day which included two new additions, one loan departure and numerous bids turned down for key players, boss Steve Evans has a hungry squad at his disposal as Stags prepare to fight in the final 17 games for promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
During a busy Deadline Day at One Call Stadium, the gaffer finalised loan deals for wide attacking midfielder Matt Penney from Sheffield Wednesday and prolific frontman Ricky Miller from Peterborough United, who scored over 70 goals in two seasons for Dover Athletic prior to joining Posh in the summer.
The two late arrivals join midfielder Adam King, who joined on loan from Swansea City earlier this week, as the Stags' trio of January signings and the gaffer is now expecting to see hard work on the training ground as the new additions fight for a spot in an in-form Stags' side.
"First and foremost, each of those guys have arrived because we think they've got something to help us with," the Stags' chief said.
"Through the season, players lose form, they lose discipline – on the field discipline, I'm talking about not tracking a runner and not doing what we're working on on the training ground – and that creates opportunities to be in the team.
"Part of my conversation with Ricky last night – and I think the kid loved it – was I pick the team honestly. We pick it honestly and he's took references. He's spoken to a couple of players who have played for me and they've said 'he's ruthless, he picks it honestly'. I may have banter with some, but I may not pick them.
"How do they get in? They train properly, they work hard and when they get an opportunity to go on the pitch, they represent that Mansfield Town shirt with the same pride as the supporters that walk into the stadium wearing one."
Midfielder Calum Butcher, who joined Steve Evans' men from Millwall in the summer, linked up with Isthmian League side Billericay Town in the only Deadline Day departure yesterday, however the boss insists the 26-year-old will still have a part to play at One Call Stadium next season.
"How do they get in? They train properly, they work hard and when they get an opportunity to go on the pitch, they represent that Mansfield Town shirt with the same pride as the supporters that walk into the stadium wearing one."
"We got a call from a couple of clubs in the Conference that Calum chose not to be interested and then Billericay, who are like the Roy of the Rovers of non-league at the minute. Yeah, they've got funds available but they spend it so wisely.
"The plan is for Calum to go down there, get lots of game time, get your name on the scoresheet, we're going to track you, play really well and then be back in the summer when you move up with your young family and play a big part next season. He goes with our best wishes and we have to be fair to everyone."
The boss revealed that the club turned down Deadline Day offers for top scorer Danny Rose, the in-form CJ Hamilton and the influential Alex MacDonald, the latter of whom the gaffer believes is currently performing at the level of a Championship player.
"These are players we didn't want to lose. Do you want to lose Rose? Do you want to lose MacDonald? Come on, get a grip, we don't want to lose them and that's the wonderful support, I keep saying it, that you get from a wonderful family, the Radford family.
"Look, we got bid a lot of money for Alex MacDonald when he was a wee humpty dumpty and he was with us about a week! He's going to hammer me now! He's been brilliant, hasn't he? He's been sheer class on and off the pitch. He leads by example in our dressing room now.
"Alex and Rosie were the two and it has to be said, predominantly Alex, to be fair. There were two or three that wanted to take him and he's been incredible since he's come here. Alex MacDonald is playing, at this minute in time, like a Championship player.
"What I would have never deprived, had it been a Championship club come, I would've said to my board: 'listen, it harms us but we have to send this kid on his journey because as he is now, he's a Championship player'.
"There were two or three that wanted to take him and he's been incredible since he's come here. Alex MacDonald is playing, at this minute in time, like a Championship player."
"We rejected the offers from League One and Alex has played many, many times in League One but never with the focus and fitness that he's got now.
"He really has come into his own and we've seen that in the last two months. He's been nothing short of outstanding."
Supporters will be able to login to iFollow Stags later today to view the manager's full news conference.
