The MTFC derby.

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Second top vs. second bottom this Saturday. While many things may point to an easy home win, the fact that Macc control the www.mtfc.co.uk url and come up first when you google "mtfc" means the three points should surely be ours by default.

Mansfield are obviously flying and have the best defence in the league. Macc's two goals last weekend move them up from joint bottom of goals scored, but the loss of Harry Smith is a major issue going forward. While Nathan Cameron's red card has been rescinded, Macc are likely to be without Taylor, Pearson, Grimes, Durrell, Stephens, Whitaker, Lloyd, Arthur and the aforementioned Smith through injury. Questions remain over the players Sol has brought in over January, but some are going to have to start on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mansfield have invested well in their bid to put pressure on Lincoln at the top, bolstering their squad with some excellent signings.

Apparently there might be some sort of Mansfield-Notts County rivalry, thought I'm not sure I've seen any posts from Mansfield fans in threads relevant to Macc to suggest this is the case. Gifting us the win this weekend would both cement the entente-MTFC and disadvantage County, so is surely in the hosts best interests.

No idea what team or formation Sol will settle on based on who's available, but I'm going to go for an extremely optimistic 3-1 win for Mansfield.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Well if you have the mtfc url then obviously you're gunna come up top on google when you type those letters in

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Well if you have the mtfc url then obviously you're gunna come up top on google when you type those letters in

Yes.

 

[Conker]

Nothing is a given, only a few weeks ago Yeovil came and won 1-0 and probably deserved it too.

 

[The_Boss]

It's highly unlikely but 16/1 on us doing the same is strangely tempting me!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Got to be winning these games if we’re to get promoted automatics. Hopefully we can get 6/7 from the next 3 games.

Can we have a nice clean game where we don’t get any yellow cards for Ryan Sweeney or Bishop? Both are only one card from a 2 match ban and I don’t want to be going to Notts in 2 weeks with neither of them

 

[AdamStag]

Obviously the original MTFC is mansfield, obulusly no dispute

Campbell seems to have done well at macc, tightened up the defence and thrice improved under him somewhat from where they were before. However, Accrington have proven what can be done on a tiny budget and morecambe do it each year so no reason why macc can’t with a few contacts from sol.

This is one of those of where it’ll either be a really easy win or macc will work out to stifle us from the back, play plenty in defence and hit us on the break. Yeovil got us with that a few weeks ago so I hope we’ve learned that lesson.

Not a challenging journey from macc to Mansfield so would be expecting a good 300 or so surely?

 

[Spanishstag]

Home win ,think with our additions we will be to strong for macc ,going for a comfortable win

 

[northstandexile]

Obviously the original MTFC is mansfield, obulusly no dispute

Campbell seems to have done well at macc, tightened up the defence and thrice improved under him somewhat from where they were before. However, Accrington have proven what can be done on a tiny budget and morecambe do it each year so no reason why macc can’t with a few contacts from sol.

This is one of those of where it’ll either be a really easy win or macc will work out to stifle us from the back, play plenty in defence and hit us on the break. Yeovil got us with that a few weeks ago so I hope we’ve learned that lesson.

Not a challenging journey from macc to Mansfield so would be expecting a good 300 or so surely?

Have you seen the snow? No way they are coming over cat & fiddle.

Long diversion, down A50 & up A38?

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Obviously the original MTFC is mansfield, obulusly no dispute

Campbell seems to have done well at macc, tightened up the defence and thrice improved under him somewhat from where they were before. However, Accrington have proven what can be done on a tiny budget and morecambe do it each year so no reason why macc can’t with a few contacts from sol.

This is one of those of where it’ll either be a really easy win or macc will work out to stifle us from the back, play plenty in defence and hit us on the break. Yeovil got us with that a few weeks ago so I hope we’ve learned that lesson.

Not a challenging journey from macc to Mansfield so would be expecting a good 300 or so surely?

Err, I think you'll find we've been around over 20 years longer than you (must've registered the mtfc.co.uk url back in the 1870s).

Other than Andrew Cole's two-day-a-week striker coaching, not sure Sol's contacts have paid much considering the somewhat underwhelming January recruitment. Not sure we're particularly counter-attack orientated either; just don't have the pace.

As mentioned, the snow will put off some travellers, even if the longer, lower route isn't much slower.

 

[AdamStag]

Anyway to the game.

Macclesfield looked a decent side and were well worth their half time 1-1.

Dodgy defending let them down in the end from set pieces, both goals were pretty shambolic from a defensive perspective.

But things like that are why both teams are where they are in the league

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Anyway to the game.

Macclesfield looked a decent side and were well worth their half time 1-1.

Dodgy defending let them down in the end from set pieces, both goals were pretty shambolic from a defensive perspective.

But things like that are why both teams are where they are in the league

I'd say the missing of 3 very good chances was what let us down mostly, but not denying the defending for those corners was shambolic.

 

[AdamStag]

I'd say the missing of 3 very good chances was what let us down mostly, but not denying the defending for those corners was shambolic.

I’ve seen many sides worse than you this season at field mill, much worse.

That performance and your recent form suggests you’ve a decent chance of stopping up

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

I’ve seen many sides worse than you this season at field moll, much worse.

That performance and your recent form suggests you’ve a decent chance of stopping up

Heard this a few times over past few weeks, sadly it's points we need!

 

[AdamStag]

Heard this a few times over past few weeks, sadly it's points we need!

Well you’ve 2 home games where you should be looking to pick up at least 3 points.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Well you’ve 2 home games where you should be looking to pick up at least 3 points.

Crewe are in great form, and Colchester are a decent side (especially going forwards) who scored 4 last Saturday. At least we won't be playing in our cursed black away kit, which supposedly we've picked up 0 points using.

Ultimately would much rather be playing bad and winning, that's how you get out of trouble.

 

[Conker]

We were average at best and Macclesfield missed two golden chances, turns out Sol is incredibly animated on that touch line. Maybe try encouraging the players.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

We were average at best and Macclesfield missed two golden chances, turns out Sol is incredibly animated on that touch line. Maybe try encouraging the players.

His shouting from the touchline does seem a bit like he's trying too hard to look like he's having an impact. Not sure how helpful it is for players.

 

[AdamStag]

His shouting from the touchline does seem a bit like he's trying too hard to look like he's having an impact. Not sure how helpful it is for players.

He did seem to be on then a lot. If someone’s having a really bad game fair enough but it seemed like you played pretty decently, maybe he’d be better off leaving them be.

Some Mansfield fans do seem to have the ability to sail close to the wind on various things, so at least we’re not being accused of being racist which is a bonus.

 

[Blue Lion]

Played reasonably well between both boxes but couldn't finish or defend corners, which cost us an unlikely point (or three). Crewe on Saturday is a must win.

 

[The_Boss]

Anyone heard about the trouble outside before the game? Sounds like 40 odd Macc fans were refused entry?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Anyone heard about the trouble outside before the game? Sounds like 40 odd Macc fans were refused entry?

Yes I was stood outside waiting to get in the ground. The group walked up behind a big flag singing only one MTFC and then Mansfield where’s your lads so they obviously got what they wanted. They barged through people queuing to get in and a few took exception to it. Apparently it spilled around the corner between the away end and home end but I didn’t see any of that.

Embarrasing really

 

[The_Boss]

Yes I was stood outside waiting to get in the ground. The group walked up behind a big flag singing only one MTFC and then Mansfield where’s your lads so they obviously got what they wanted. They barged through people queuing to get in and a few took exception to it. Apparently it spilled around the corner between the away end and home end but I didn’t see any of that.

Embarrasing really

Winners.

 

[Crewelad87]

Since when do Macclesfield have anything resembling hooligans. Always come across as one of the friendliest fan bases around, and were one of their local games.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Was only about 30/40 kids (16-24). If they were actual ‘hooligans’ then they’d look for likeminded folk to kick off with instead of people waiting outside to get in the ground

 

[AdamStag]

Since when do Macclesfield have anything resembling hooligans. Always come across as one of the friendliest fan bases around, and were one of their local games.

It was certainly out of character, whereas they’re few in number Macclesfield fans have always came across as a quality grounded bunch