Mansfield Town under-19s are back in action this Saturday for a Youth Alliance League fixture against Rotherham United at The Graham Solley Sports Development Centre (11am kick-off).
Goals from versatile attacker Ronnie Kokkinos and forward McKeal Abdullah ensured that the young Stags won 2-0 in their last fixture against Doncaster Rovers at One Call Stadium.
Ahead of this weekend's fixture with Rotherham, PDP lead coach Sam Collins spoke to www.mansfieldtown.net, and said: “It’ll be a tough game.
“They have a lot of physical players and they are quite direct in the way they play. We’ve got to stand up to that, be aggressive and dominate our one v one battles. Once we’ve done that it’s important that we try and play the way we play.
“Hopefully we can put in a really good performance again.”
On Tuesday night, six under-19 scholars featured in a Stags' XI at Meadow Lane against Notts County in the Notts Senior Cup quarter-final.
“In our environment they’re excelling and doing quite well and then the next step is to go and do that when you’re playing with senior players.
“As often as we can create those situations and get them involved in these environments it’s really good for their development.”
Right-back Taylor Anderson and central midfielder Alfie King recently returned from injury. Speaking on the pair, Sam said: “The closer Taylor gets to full fitness, the better his performance gets. Hopefully that can continue.
“It was really good to have Alfie King back with us last week. He’s trained all week again this week so he’ll be involved in the game tomorrow.”
On 28 October, defender Cody Collins joined Gainsborough Trinity FC on a month-long loan. When asked about his time at Gainsborough so far, Sam said: “It’s been great [for Cody].
“He’s played all the games and they've been on a good run. The crowds he’s been playing in front of has been really good for him.
"Last week they played FC United and I think there were 2,000 [supporters] there at that game.
“He’s really enjoying it and the feedback we’ve had off Gainsborough has been really positive."
As ever, all supporters are welcome to attend the game for FREE at the following venue: The Graham Solley Sports Development Centre, Sheffield & Hallam University, Bawtry Road, Sheffield, S9 1UA
