'I believe': Jon Russell makes Mansfield Town performance statement ahead of Luton clash
Mansfield Town will look to bounce back from their defeat to Peterborough United last weekend when they face Luton Town this Sunday.
Stags were unable to create a winning run after their opening success against Doncaster Rovers, with the Posh issuing a hefty blow as they snatched a 2-1 win in stoppage time last time out.
Nigel Clough’s side will hope to channel last season’s efforts against Luton when they host them at the One Call Stadium this weekend.
Stags were a real handful for the Hatters last season and ensured they didn’t come away from either fixture with three points. The first meeting was a 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road, shortly after Jack Wilshere arrived as the new manager, with Rhys Oates and Tyler Roberts getting on the scoresheet.
Their second clash of the season ended 2-2 at the One Call, after a first half brace from Jon Russell was cancelled out by goals from Kasey Palmer and Shayden Morris.
Russell hopes he can play his part in another positive result against Luton Town this weekend. The midfielder was a real threat in Stags’ attack against Peterborough as he came close to scoring early on and had a goal ruled offside after Posh took the lead.
“I believe we can be as good as last time and get an even better result,” Russell said in his pre-match press conference, reflecting on the 2-2 draw. “We did well and I scored two there, which is great, I’d love to do that again. But we need to be all over them from the start like last time.”
The 25-year-old became a permanent signing for Mansfield Town this summer, following his initial loan spell from Barnsley. Russell has started both League One games so far this season, as well as Stags’ FA Cup clash with Sheffield United.