Nigel Clough believes the backing of the home fans will play a huge role in the final six games of the Sky Bet League Two season.
Easter Monday’s fixture with Accrington Stanley was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch after the referee deemed the surface unplayable following a routine pitch inspection.
Mansfield now prepare to face Crawley Town this Saturday at One Call Stadium in a 3pm kick-off before facing Forest Green Rovers at home on Tuesday night.
Following that, the final four games will then see Stags travel to automatic promotion rivals MK Dons before back-to-back home games against Accrington Stanley and Gillingham and a trip to Barrow on the final day.
When asked about the importance of the fans’ backing in the run-in, the manager said: “Especially in the four home games. Everybody gets a little bit nervy towards this part of the season so we need them to stay calm too and not panic.
“It may be that we go behind in one or two games. I hope we don’t but we may do and that is the sort of time when you really need them.
“I think after Saturday and Tuesday we’ll know a little bit more about our chances.
“We have it in our own hands, I think that’s the most important thing as well. After MK Dons’ result on Monday we know roughly what we need but that could of course lessen with a result at MK in 10 days’ time.”
Speaking about Monday’s postponement to Accrington, the gaffer said: “The players were a bit frustrated. We could tell the players were wound up and of course the other thing now is that it puts more pressure on each game.
“With games in hand people will say it’s great to have games in hand but with each one it adds a little more pressure to it.
“We have six games now in the last few weeks of the season with four being at home so all we can do now is focus on Saturday and try to get the three points.”
Following the withdrawal of Lewis Brunt and Will Swan at half-time through injury in the 2-0 defeat to Wrexham on Good Friday, the boss gave an update on their status ahead of Saturday’s game with Crawley.
“I’d think Lewis would be doubtful, however Will Swan should be okay,” he said.
The gaffer also confirmed that defender Baily Cargill (knee) will be assessed ‘week-to-week’ while Elliott Hewitt is back available for selection after sustaining a split lip inside the second minute of Good Friday’s match in North Wales. He also confirmed Callum Johnson might be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Fellow defender Calum Macdonald (calf) may be available for the matchday squad but is not yet fit to start while George Williams (Achilles) is back in training but is ‘not yet 100%’.
