Mansfield Town... In Focus

Last updated : 12 December 2006 By Paul Smith

When Peter Shirtliff replaced the comical Carlton Palmer as the Stags manager during last season, Town fans breathed a huge sigh of relief. Palmer's spell was disastrous. His attempts to be controversial rather than concentrate on the on-pitch affairs, his tactics were appalling, angered supporters.

Barker...One man team?
His then assistant, Shirtliff, stepped into the breach and guided the Stags to safety last term. In the summer he set his sights on rebuilding the squad in an attempt to make a push for the Playoffs. That was no doubt the aim for this season, but at the present time, it looks unlikely of happening.

The one bright spark has been the continual existence of the club, with that often being put into doubt due to lack of finances. Captain Richie Barker's form is another thing that is continual. The striker, one of Palmer's success stores when he signed him from Rotherham, is behind only Jamie Forrester and Izale McLeod in the League 2 scoring charts.

On the pitch this term, Mansfield have been one of the most inconsistent of all League 2 outfits. After only one defeat in August, September saw a sequence of Lost, Won, Lost, Lost, Drew, Won, Lost. The season has remained like that up until the present day.

They can play decent football at times, though there defence leaks more holes than a watering can. It is also fair to say that without Barker, who they were prepared to sell earlier in the season quite remarkably, they would perhaps be embroiled in a relegation scrap, not that they aren't already.

Manager: Peter Shirtliff

League position (as of 12th December 2006): 17th

Top goalscorer: Richie Barker with 11

Goals for: 26

Goals against: 32

Dudfield scores...Always nice to rekindle the moment

Player of the season so far: It is impossible to see past the irrepressible Barker. Matty Hamshaw started well, providing a good threat on the wing, though he has since faded.

V Notts. The first local derby this season ended all square in a 2-2 thriller at Field Mill. The hosts raced into a two goal lead through Danny Reet twice. However, after Hamshaw was dismissed, Notts produced a deserved second half comeback, with Mike Edwards and Lawrie Dudfield on the score sheet in dramatic fashion. The teams next meet at Meadow Lane on Saturday 10th March

Drapes' Prediction: They will improve slightly due to Barker's prowess: 14th