Danny Rose ready for his most important ever game

Mansfield Town top scorer Danny Rose can't wait for what he feel is the most important game he has ever been involved in this weekend.
Danny Rose celebrates scoring for Mansfield.Danny Rose celebrates scoring for Mansfield.
Danny Rose celebrates scoring for Mansfield.

Stags, without a win in nine games and now a point outside the play-offs, desperately need to end that run in a bitter away local derby against a Chesterfield side who are bottom of League Two and in dire need of the win themselves.

“Everyone involved with the club is looking forward to it,” smiled Rose.

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“It’s massive for us and massive for the fans that we go there and get the three points.

“It’s probably the most important game I’ve ever played in.

“With the position we’re in in the league table now and playing catch-up, we have to go there and pick up maximum points.

“We go there with confidence. I think the performances have been good, apart from the first half against Crewe which was unacceptable.

“It was good to pick up an away point from a tough place at Stevenage in midweek too.”

So how can Mansfield get back to winning ways?

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“I think we just need a bit of luck now,” he said. “We’ve been scoring goals. We just need to keep it tight at the back like we did at Stevenage.

“We need to put that all together now at Chesterfield, who are struggling and fighting for their lives. We are fighting for a play-off spot, so it’s a massive game for both clubs.

“It will be all about who wants it more. There is a lot at stake. They are playing for their lives and we want a play-off spot.”

Stags will take over 2,700 fans on Saturday and Rose said: “The players know this is the big one for the fans. The Notts one was big but this one is a lot bigger.

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“They have been brilliant all season and a massive part of what we’ve been doing.”

Pre-season, ex-boss Steve Evans said he thought Rose would score 20 goals and, with 17 to his name and four games to go, he is still on course.

“I have been a little disappointed to see it drop off recently,” said Rose.

“But at this time of season it doesn’t matter who is on the scoresheet as long as the ball goes in the net and we pick up points. That’s more important.

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“I set myself a target to get up there around 20 and I will be disappointed if I don’t reach 20. But whoever scores the goals, it’s the three points that are important.”

He is enjoying playing up front with Kane Hemmings, adding: “Kane has been terrific in the past weeks - and all season to be honest.

“He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I think we complement each other very well and it’s been like that throughout the season.”

Rose is just back in the side this week after recovering from turning an ankle on 24th March.

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“The injury wasn’t ideal I picked up against Forest Green, but I have been working hard and now it’s absolutely fine,” he said.

“I knew straight away I’d rolled it. I knew if I carried on any longer that could be my season over. Luckily I came off straight away and that’s done the world of good.”

Rose said it was inexplicable how new boss David Flitcroft still hadn’t had a win in eight games in charge but added: “It happens in football.

“The gaffer’s come in and he’s been brilliant. The lads have bought into it very well.

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“The sessions have been great on the training pitch, but some of our performances have not been good enough.”

Rose is hoping he could grab the matchwinner at Chesterfield to end that poor run, saying: “It would be nice. But it doesn’t matter who the hero is on Saturday.

“Even if it’s a 1-0 ugly win, we want to go there and pick up the three points.”