Louis Reed setting sights on third win in a row as Mansfield Town prepare for Bradford City clash
Louis Reed is hoping Mansfield Town can make it a hat-trick of festive wins in a row when third-placed Bradford City visit the One Call Stadium on Thursday (3pm) for the big New Year's Day clash.
Stags are on a high after away wins at Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers inside four magical days, despite their lengthy injury list.
But Reed knows that the Bantams, who have won five of their last six league games, will provide one of the sternest current tests in the division.
“They are a good side and they have signed some really good players,” said Reed.
“They play some nice stuff, so it will be another challenging one.
“It is another quick turnaround and there are a lot of games coming up.
“Hopefully everyone can recover well and we can give it a good go.
“If we can fill the stadium and get a win for the home fans who have not been able to make it to the away games as well, then that would be great.”
Stags pulled off a magnificent smash and grab at Bolton yesterday, halting the Trotters' proud 17-game unbeaten home run – the best home record in the country.
A Rhys Oates goal from a corner just before the break plus fine goalkeeping from Liam Roberts and never-say-die defending then saw Stags home.
“It was heroic. From minute one the lads were superb,” said Reed.
“We knew it would be a tough game at Bolton with their unbeaten record.
“So we knew if we got a goal we'd need to hang on, and that is what we did.
“We said we might not get many chances, so when we did we had to be on the money with set pieces or whatever came our way.
“After scoring it was all about being organised and communicating, and making sure we stayed in our shape - and I think we executed it perfectly.
“We stopped crosses, put our heads on the line and were brilliant from start to finish.
“Everyone played their part. With three or four minutes to go we got a block in which ended up going for a goalkick and we all stood up and celebrated almost as if we had scored a goal.
“It was at that point I thought – we are not conceding tonight.”
Midfielder Reed, who had scored from the spot to set Stags on the way back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Barnsley on Boxing Day, started the Bolton game on the bench until an early injury for Elliott Hewitt saw him pitched back in.
“The gaffer told me to get a bit of a rest in after that big shift away at Barnsley, but there I was after 25 minutes coming on,” he smiled.
“But everyone is prepared to do it. We are down to bare bones a little bit, but everyone is ready to step in when they need to.
“I am happy being wherever. I know I can affect it whether coming off the bench or starting. I am just happy to play a part in it.”
On his crucial goal at Barnsley, he said: “It's been a long time coming. I think my last one was in the season we got promoted.
“I always fancy myself on penalties, so when the opportunity came I thought why not take it?
“I was a bit nervous as I took it, but at the end of the day it's found the back of the net and got us back into the game.
“From there the lads were superb to go on and get the victory.”
With League One so tight, the two wins in four days shot Stags up from the relegation zone to 11th place.
“It is a crazy division this season,” said Reed.
“Even when we slipped into that 21st position we knew we were not out of things or a million miles away from pushing at the other end.
“A lot of things change quickly and hopefully we can now build on this again.”
Almost 1,700 away tickets have been bought by Bradford fans ensuring a great atmosphere on Thursday for the visit of Bradford City on New Year's Day tomorrow (Thursday) before a trip to Rotherham United on Sunday afternoon.