I suppose the real honest answer would be too long! Or at least that is what
it feels like most of the time. (37 years)
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Because all the kids on the council estate I grew up on did. All us kids that hung around with each other supported Mansfield, the posh kids supported Forest, so we grew up hating them. As for Notts, there was this one kid who supported them, but he was white South African and knew nothing about football, and nobody spoke to him anyway.
You currently lie 17th in the table. Is this disappointing after occupying a playoff place up until late October?
Yeah, bound to be disappointed, but the league is so open this season a few
wins and you are right up there in the play off picture. What with all that
has gone off at Field Mill this season, many are more looking towards next
rather than this.
Where do you expect to finish come May?
Champions! Seriously, I don't know. The game against Notts County will be the bench mark for the season I suppose. If we win, then who knows where we can finish, lose and I'd say mid-table.
Which Stags players should we watch out for on Saturday?
Richie Barker, Simon Brown, Jake Buxton, Alex John-Baptiste, Alex Neil and
Derek Asamoah. To be honest we have a fair side who are getting to know each other as each week goes by.
Adam Murray looked good during his brief spell here. How's he played for you?
Murray is one of those players who you know has nothing but class, and he
shows it, his one and only fault is that sometimes he tries to do too much.
An Adam Murray on his game is one of the best players in this Division.
Give us some thoughts on your current playing squad.
As I said, looking at the players we have on the books at the moment, we
have a decent side. The trouble is, as you know, decent sides on paper don't
always come out good on the pitch. Maybe next season could see The Stags
walk away with the league, but knowing Mansfield as I do, maybe not!
What are your thoughts on the Keith Curle situation, that also led to the dismantling of the side that looked so impressive at the clubs earlier meeting at Field Mill?
Sad. I knew Keith on a personal side of things, but in football life has to go on. That same side went about 10 games after beating you without winning
or playing well.
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Carlton has been a manager that speaks his mind, which sometimes makes fans angry. I've been impressed but I get to sit about 5 yards from him on a home match day so get to hear all his thoughts and see his emotions through a game that most other supporters don't see. He lives and breaths football
and has a burning wish to do well. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Why has he not been officially confirmed as the club's permanent manager?
That is down to the fact that that Curle is appealing against his dismissal.
Without being too rude, do you have any pre-conceptions of Notts County?
The one thing that did your club damage over the years was the poor support
you got when you were in the old 1st Division, although it does make you
wonder if in today's age you'd get a lot more supporting you. You see, going
on about being the oldest league club and although I have great respect for
the man, having Colin Slater kind of put his foot in his mouth with comments
about County being too good for this Division and things like that, kind of gives other supporters the impression that you are all old duffers who moan
all the time and live in the past. Sorry, but you did ask, and I've tried not to be too rude.
Hand on heart, do you feel you're the second biggest club in Nottinghamshire?
We never really will be. We are from the side of Notts that people don't think is in Nottinghamshire. Most people around the Country don't look as us as a Club from Nottinghamshire, perhaps it is time we had a Mansfieldshire and then folks would be happy! You lot and Forest are from the City and as such
command a bigger profile, it is more the pride of Notts that Mansfield fans
are interested in. This 2nd biggest rubbish is what it is, rubbish. We just want to title of the pride of Nottingham, that will do us.
Should we be expecting a big, and vocal, away following?
Yes. The SSA have made the day an amber away day which means there will be a cracking atmosphere in the away end, lots of colour, and things like that.
Expected following, probably around the 3,000 plus mark.
Finally, your Score prediction?
3-1 either way. One side is going to have a bad game, whilst the other will be more than happy. Obviously I hope it is the side in amber, but this is football. You never know you might strike it lucky and we could play as bad at your place and you did at ours!
Steve is Editor of the Mansfield Town fanzine, Follow The Yellow Brick Road. He also does match reports for the Mansfield and Ashfield Observer, and is part of the commentary team on the official club website.
He has also in the past he was the main writer for the Football
Post's View from the terraces, and also did co-commentary for five years on
all Stags games for Mansfield 103.2. Steve also co-authored 'The Legends of
Mansfield Town.'