Rivals review - Mansfield Town

Positon: 23rd

Record: P38, W9, D6, L23

Recent form: D,L,L,W,L,L

Manager: Paul Holland has this week been confirmed as the Stags boss until

Holland... Has to keep Stags up

the end of the season. He replaces the experienced figure of Bill Dearden. The former Notts boss had struggled in his second spell at Field Mill, largely owing to the off-field situation, and Holland took the reigns on a caretaker basis initially, after being Dearden's assistant. After a decent couple of performances, Holland became favourite for the role and despite two defeats over Easter was given it until the end of the season. Has the backing of the players but not the fans who see him as half the problem. Has to act swiftly.

Top scorer: Michael Boulding, 21. The former tennis professional has been in sparkling form to register his finest ever season in front of goal despite the Stags' League Two troubles. After starting his career at Field Mill, Boulding, whose brother is also on the playing staff with Town, impressed and earnt moves to Grimsby Town and Premiership Aston Villa. He didn't fulfil his promise and spent a spell away from the game before his return that has seen him in excellent form all season. A top finisher, Boulding has to be watched.

Strengths: Many of the Stags strengths lie through top scorer Boulding who can get a goal out of anything. Much of their season has revolved around the

Boulding... Best player by far

hope that Boulding can produce something out of nothing. They are certainly a side to watch when they get going forward, and attacking wise they are nowehere near the worst side in the league.

Weaknesses: Obviously their troubles therefore have come at the back. Defensively they have been woeful and that is the reason they are where they are. Despite having the fourth top scorer in the division in their ranks, they still have a goal difference of -19 which says it all. The previously highly rated Alex John-Baptiste has had an abysmal season while the midfield offers little cover.

Best win: 5-0 v Macclesfield, Field Mill. 3 November, 2007.

Worst defeat: 4-0 v Wycombe, Field Mill. 8 January 2008.
v Rochdale, Field Mill. 8 March, 2008.

In form player: Nathan Arnold has come on in leaps and bounds since Holland replaced Dearden and chose him up front

Arnold... In form striker

instead of the wide role Dearden preffered him in. Arnold has been a striker all of his career and has looked promising alongside Boulding up the top. His desire and pace make him a marked threat and he has added a couple of goals recently.

Player of the season: There is no other candidate. Imagine if Town didn't have Boulding. How far down would they already be? His goals have kept them in with a slight chance of avoiding the drop and he has been faultless all season. Deserves better than the drop.

End of season history: Last season Town moved well away from trouble despute a struggling season they were always too good to go down. Mansfield's last relegation came from League One in the 2002/03 season as they finished second bottom, six points adrift of safety.