Morecambe travel to Mansfield Town in what is our first away trip of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League Two season.
The Shrimps claimed all three points on the opening day against Walsall with Farrend Rawson striking late to clinch victory over the Saddlers; This coming after Danny Johnson cancelled out Adam Mayor’s opener before the break.
The Stags were held to a 2-2 draw by Crewe Alexandra after taking a two-goal lead inside the opening half hour. Nigel Clough’s men were reduced to 10 men after Calum MacDonald was sent off on 58 minutes.
Derek Adam’s side narrowly exited the Carabao Cup in midweek after taking Championship side Rotherham United to penalties, whereas Mansfield advanced following a 2-0 home win over Grimsby Town, they’ll travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the next round.
The Opposition
It was a successful 2022/23 campaign for the Nottinghamshire-based club, who just missed out on a place in the play-offs to Salford City on goal difference. After winning 21 games, drawing 12 and losing 13, they ended the season on 75 points.
After spending five seasons in non-league, Town were promoted back to the Football League in 2012/13 following a first-place finish. Since then, they’ve been ever present in English football’s fourth tier. The Stags came close to promotion in 2018/19 but lost out in the play-off semi-finals to Newport County.
During pre-season, Mansfield won four out of five friendlies played, against Retford United, Alfreton Town, Oldham Athletic and Matlock Town, losing only once against Rotherham.
Manager Nigel Clough, son of Brian, has been in charge at the One Call Stadium since November 2020, having previously managed Derby County, Sheffield United and Burton Albion. After taking charge of 150 matches for the club, Clough boasts a point-per-match average of 1.60 with 68 wins, 36 draws and 46 losses.
As a player, the 57-year-old represented the likes of Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion.
Key Players
Having arrived at the One Call Stadium during the summer, ex-Stoke City man Aden Flint brings a wealth of experience to Clough’s squad. The 6ft 4 defender has played across all three divisions within the EFL for the likes of Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City. Furthermore, with 59 career goals to-date, the former England C international is a proven threat in front of goal.
Forward Will Swan spent the 2022/23 season on loan from Nottingham Forest and finished top scorer with 10 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. After impressing during his loan spell, the 22-year-old signed permanently for the club during the summer. As well as having two Championship appearances to his name, Swan boasts a degree of versatility and despite predominantly playing as a centre forward, he can slot into a number of other roles including right-winger, attacking midfielder and second striker.
At 37-years-old, few bring as much experience as Stephen Quinn. The former Republic of Ireland international arrived at Town in January 2021 on an initial loan deal from Burton Albion before signing permanently later that summer. As well as having 18 senior international caps to his name, Quinn has 59 Premier League appearances under his belt for Sheffield United and Hull City respectively. He also is one of only a few players to have played in Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals, though lost each one.
Derek Adams’ Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking to the Club's media team before the game, the Gaffer said he aims for the Shrimps to keep pushing above their weight.
"We're always trying to lay down markers for our own purpose, it doesn't matter about the opposition or where we are," he said.
"We want to look after ourselves, it's important as a football club, we understand the ethos of the football club, we understand where the football club is at this moment in time, and then punch above our weight.
"That's what we try to do season on season, we've been very successful at it and the players give their all, they work extremely hard in training.
"They've got a willingness to take information on well and perform to a high standard."
Team News
After missing Tuesday night’s trip to the AESSEAL New York Stadium, Adam Mayor could be back in contention.
Speaking after the match against Rotherham United, Derek Adams said Mayor had ‘a small issue that hasn’t got any worse’.
The youngster will be assessed on Friday ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottinghamshire.
Meet The Officials
Taking charge of Saturday’s fixture is Scott Simpson, with Steven Rushton and Daniel Robinson running the line and David Richardson completed the line-up as fourth official.
Simpson and Robinson were two of eight officials promoted from the National League at the end of last season.
Saturday’s game will be the first EFL match Simpson has taken charge of this season, with his only other game coming on Tuesday; A Carabao Cup Round One fixture between Newport County and Charlton Athletic.
Listen Live!
If you’re not making the journey to Nottinghamshire on Saturday, you can listen to full match commentary with an iFollow Shrimps audio match pass for just £2.50!
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