BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Exeter City v Mansfield Town '“ Saturday, 17th December 2016

BIG MATCH PREVIEW '“ ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Mansfield Town look to end an excellent 2016 on the road on a high with success at Exeter City this Saturday.

If only their home form had matched their away results, then they would have made the play-offs last season and be back in them this time around, though new boss Steve Evans has already picked up seven points out of nine from his first three home games in charge.

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Exeter’s winless home form has been abysmal, so looking at the form book, Stags fans have every reason to feel optimistic about coming home from the long trip to Devon with something to show for it.

Stags will travel down on Friday and prepare properly with all the players knowing the manager has three or four new faces lined up next month and everyone wanting to prove their worth.

STAGS TEAM NEWS

Kyle Howkins is close to a return from a hamstring injury, probably after this weekend, though fellow centre halves George Taft and Corbin Shires are out long term.

Midfielder Mitch Rose and strikers Darius Henderson and Pat Hoban all played in an inter-squad game this week to sharpen up after shaking off knocks and are available for selection.

POSSIBLE STAGS STARTING XI

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Shearer, Collins, Bennett, Pearce, Benning, McGuire, M. Rose, Clements, Hurst, Hemmings, Green.

EXETER TEAM NEWS

Like Mansfield, Exeter’s injury issues all surround defenders with Troy Archibald-Henville, Jordan Moore-Taylor and Luke Croll all out at the moment.

POSSIBLE EXETER STARTING XI

Pym, Stacey, Brown, Tillson, Woodman, Ampadu, Taylor, Holmes, Wheeler, Watkins, Reid.

KEY BATTLE: ETHAN AMPADU v CHRIS CLEMENTS

Just 16 years old and probably the best player at the club in what is only his breakthrough season, Ampadu can play in defence or midfield and is genuinely gifted.

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He is expected to move to a Premier League club for £2 million to £3 million, probably in the summer.

Tisdale doesn’t play him in every game, though, due to his age and inexperience. But if he plays against Stags they will need to monitor his every move very closely.

EXETER ONE TO WATCH: DAVID WHEELER

The 26-year-old Wheeler has been in good form. He is an energetic winger-cum-forward who has a good eye for goal, particularly headers.

OPPOSITION MANAGER: PAUL TISDALE

Although popular for so long, Tisdale, the longest serving manager apart from Arsene Wenger in the four divisions, is under pressure after a poor campaign.

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Although still in the minority, there are growing calls for him to go as some feel he has taken them as far as he can in the 10 years he has been in charge.

There is currently a motion to serve notice on his two-year rolling contract, but he enjoys the staunch support of the club hierarchy and also a silent majority of supporters.

EXETER SEASON SO FAR

Expectations this season were definitely for a play-off push and, as you can see from the league table, this has not happened.

It has been a pretty disastrous season so far for City.

Although they are not too many points off the play-offs, they have been pretty poor and are arguably lucky to still be within touching distance of the top seven.

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Their home form has been horrific – no League wins and just two draws in total, although their form at St James’s Park has been a problem for a few years now.

There are also growing voices for Paul Tisdale to go.

LAST MEETING

Tuesday, 16th April 2016: Exeter City 2, Mansfield Town 3

Ryan Tafazolli bagged a brace to help keep Mansfield Town’s late dash for a play-off place alive, as they defeated fellow top-seven hopefuls Exeter City 3-2 at St James’ Park back in April.

Tafazolli gave the visitors a first-half lead, before Mal Benning doubled the advantage with a 40-yard ‘wonder strike’.

Exeter hit back to equalise with goals from Ollie Watkins and substitute Christian Ribiero before Tafazolli hit his sixth goal of the season to leave the Stags six points behind seventh-placed Wimbledon with three to play.

Click HERE to read the match report

GROUND AND TICKETS

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To get to Exeter’s St James Park ground (EX4 6PX), exit the M5 westbound at Junction 29 onto the A3015 (Honiton Road).

Follow the road onto the B3183 (Heavitree Road) for two miles, going past Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Take the fourth exit at the roundabout into Western Way, and at the next roundabout take the second exit onto Old Tiverton Road.

St James Park and Stadium Way are located on the left.

Exeter have allocated Stags 200 tickets in the IP Office Main Stand (seating).

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Please note, the St James Road away terrace will not be open for this fixture.

Tickets are on sale from Stags’ ticket office but there will be a ‘pay on the day’ facility for away fans. However, it is more cost-effective to purchase tickets in advance.

The away ticket booth is situated near to the away turnstiles on St James Road. It is attached to the main St James Centre building and set just back from the road, behind the red and white railings.

Advance adult tickets are £22, but £23 on the day, Senior (over 63/Student with a valid NUS card are £20 or £21 on the day and U18s are £9.50 or £10 on the day.

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There are four pairs of tickets for wheelchair supporters in the away disabled bay of the Main Stand (by the away seats).

Prices in this area are the maximum concession price for this stand for adults, seniors and students (£20 in advance) with the carer free. Wheelchair supporters aged under 18 therefore pay £9.50 in advance.

Ambulant disabled supporters are charged the appropriate age related price and their carer receives a free ticket.

Pre-purchased tickets can be purchased in person from our ticket office or via telephone on 01623 482482.

Tickets will go off sale at 4pm on Friday.

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Don’t forget to read the match report at www.chad.co.uk after the game. Stay in touch with all things Mansfield Town via our new Chad Mansfield Town facebook page – simply click HERE and give us a like to subscribe.