Next Up: Mansfield Town v Exeter City

With City’s blip in danger of turning into a slump, Paul Tisdale turns his attentions to a relatively long away trip and a side that, like last week’s opponents Northampton, is currently hovering just above the drop zone. With rumours of possible signings to come at the time of writing, it will be difficult to gauge what Tisdale’s squad will look like, but Northern Ireland U21 striker Jamie Reid continued his rehabilitation with a goal in City’s 2-1 win over Swansea U21s in a behind closed doors friendly, and he will therefore be pushing to at least make the bench for the trip to Mansfield. Christy Pym is another pushing for a recall and it may be that Tisdale shuffles his pack further as he searches for a return to winning ways in the post-Grimes era.

Considered one of the clubs likely to struggle despite quite a healthy squad budget, Mansfield haven’t pulled up any trees in their second season back in the big time, something which led to the dismissal of the manager who got them promoted back into the league. The Stags boldly chose the player-manager route in replacing Paul Cox with Adam Murray, although since his permanent installation as manager he has managed just one victory, 1-0 away at AFC Wimbledon, and his side goes into Saturday’s encounter after successive defeats away to promotion hopefuls Bury and Burton. Murray has been very active in the transfer market during the window, with five players making their debut at Burton last week. Most notable was one time City target and ex-Torquay favourite Billy Kee, who joined on loan from Scunthorpe after a frustrating goal-less spell at Glanford Park. Murray will hope Kee improves things in the goals for column, replacing 4-goal top scorer Rakish Bingham who has joined Hartlepool on loan.

In the reverse fixture it was Bingham, on debut, who set Mansfield on their way to a 2-1 win, Fergus Bell extending the lead before substitute Matt Grimes (only a sub due to playing for England U20 the previous night) reduced the arrears with one of his specials. City have yet to beat the Stags since their return to the league, last season’s visit to Field Mill resulting in a 0-0 draw. The sides are, however, level in the Football League head to head with 19 wins apiece (17 draws).
Ground guide – http://www.exeweb.com/2013/08/05/the-things-you-need-to-know-field-mill/

Cheap tickets available – http://www.exeweb.com/2014/12/15/cheap-tickets-for-mansfield-away/

Match officials – http://www.exeweb.com/2015/01/13/match-officials-mansfield-town-v-exeter-city/