LOMAS ON STAGS: Garden looking rosy as Mansfield Town find their League One feet early
Rarely has everything in the Mansfield Town garden looked as rosy as it does now.
With 11 points from their opening six games with a depleted squad, promoted Stags have shown they will not be overawed by their new surroundings in League One.
And with the return of key players have suggested they will actually prosper and make a mark at the new elevated level.
Saturday’s hard-earned 2-1 home win over Shrewsbury Town meant Stags had won back to back home League One games for the first time in 20 years. And Saturday’s win was over a very established League One outfit – the current longest serving club at that level with 10 consecutive seasons there under their belt.
Stags had to win the hard way, gifting an early goal to the Shrews and struggling to get going for half an hour before lifting a gear, levelling, and then snatching a late winner.
But it was thrilling fare for the packed stands.
Lee Gregory levelled from the penalty spot and again looked the class player he is at this level with his work rate and the positions he takes up.
Louis Reed also stood out as he pulled the strings from deep in midfield and tried to get his side going, proudly leading the team out as captain.
The early season points haul have also come with three of the likely first choice back four missing.
Imagine how much tighter that defence will be with Aden Flint, Alfie Kilgour and Frazer Blake-Tracy back in and the current defence pushing them hard for their places.
A return for Rhys Oates will offer something very different up front too on his return and Stags will hope he has learned to curb the rasher side of his nature that saw him long-term injured.
It was great to see the first of the longer term injuries – George Maris – make a late cameo on Saturday and he will be a vital addition.
Off the field there is much to be excited by too with work well underway on the three stage refurbishment and enhancemement of the old Bishop Street Stand. If anyone wants to see more on what’s going on and what is going to happen there, the club have a fantastic video on their web site that is well worth a watch as director Sid Pepper outlines the project in great detail.